Is the strategic use of an anthelmintic necessary in the management of agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)? - The University of the West Indies, St ...
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Is the strategic use of an anthelmintic necessary in the
management of agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)?
Kegan Romelle Jones1,2* and Gary Wayne Garcia2
1
Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine,
Facutly of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine
2
Department of Food Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture,
The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine
*Corresponding author email: keganjones11@gmail.com
Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) is a rodent that is found in the neotropical region. This animal is hunted for its meat but has
recently been reared in captivity as a source of meat protein in rural communities. This study was done in two phases, with
the first phase investigating the growth and carcass parameters of agouti. The second phase investigated the effect of an
anthelmintic on reproductive performance. In the first phase of the experiment 14 weaned agoutis, each weighing around
1 kg, were divided randomly into two groups. The first group was not given any anthelmintic treatment but the second
group was treated with Endovet Ces® subcutaneously for every 3 months. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05)
between the two groups in the carcass weight, weight gain, dressing percentage (hot and cold), heart, lungs, skin, head and
feet. However, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was seen between groups in the weight of liver and pluck. The live weights
of the animals, at the end of the experiment, for animals that were not dewormed and those that were dewormed were 2.4
kg and 2.6 kg respectively. The dressing percentage of animals in the treatment groups were 57% and 55%. The results
suggest that the use of anthelmintic drugs in agoutis reared intensively had no significant effect on weight gain and dressing
percentage. The second phase was a 20 month experiment that was carried out to evaluate the effect of an anthelmintic on
the growth and performance of agouti reared in captivity; thirty two animals were divided in two treatment groups (15
females and one male for each group) based on a randomized study design. In the first group (control group), animals were
not given subcutaneous injections of Endovet Ces® (ivermectin and praziquantel) at 0.2 mg/kg every 3 months. The second
group was given Endovet Ces® every 3 months. Reproductive data were collected at parturition including birth weight,
litter weight, litter size and gender of offspring. The results showed that there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) between
the treatment groups with respect to birth weight, litter weight, litter size and gender. Therefore, these animals can be kept
in captive conditions, without being dewormed, to produce efficiently with proper feeding and housing management.
Keywords: Dasyprocta leporina, agouti, anthelmintic, dressing percentage, Trinidad
Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) is a rodent released into the wild (Brown-Uddenberg et al.
belonging to the family Dasyproctidae (Nowak 2004).
and Walker 1999) that is found in the neotropics. Livestock that are present in the neotropics
Agouti is hunted in the wild and farmers have can be grouped based on their origins. The first
begun rearing the animals intensively (Brown- group are domesticated livestock introduced into
Uddenberg et al. 2004). The animal is a source the neotropics. These animals include cattle (Bos
of meat protein for rural villages (Nunes et al. indicus, Bos taurus), sheep (Ovis aries), goat
2019). This rodent has been classified as micro– (Capra hircus), pigs (Sus sucrofa), horses
livestock (NRC 1991) or mini-livestock (Equus caballus) and chickens (Gallus
(Harduin et al. 2003) along with the lappe domesticus) (Jones and Garcia 2018a). These
(Agouti paca), capybara (Hydrochoerus animals were brought into the neotropics by the
hydrochaeris) and guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). Europeans. The second group are domesticated
The production of agouti in captivity has two animals that originated in the neotropics. These
functions. Firstly, it allows for consumption of animals are ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), turkeys
the animals and thus decrease the hunting (Maelegradis gallipavo), chinchillas (Chinchilla
pressures in the wild. Secondly, it acts as a source langifera) and South American camelids (Lama
of ex-situ conservation where animals can be gunacoa, Lama glama, Lama pacos, Vicuna
0041–3216/2020/040281–291 Trop. Agric. (Trinidad) Vol. 97 No. 4 September 2020 281
© 2021 Trop. Agric. (Trinidad)Is use of an anthelmintic necessary in the management of agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)?; K.R. Jones and G.W. Garcia
vicuna) (Jones and Garcia 2019). The third group Suepaul et al. 2016), investigation of the effects
of animals are non–domesticated neotropical of parasites on performance parameters is useful.
animals with the potential for domestication. Recently, endoparasites such as Eimeria
These animals include agouti (Dasyprocta spp., Trichuris spp., Strongyoides spp. and
leporina), lappe (Agouti paca), capybara Paraspidodera uncinata have been found in
(Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), red brocket deer agouti (Jones and Garcia 2017, 2018b).
(Mazama americana) and manicou (Didelphis However, these animals were in excellent body
marsupialis insularis) (Jones et al. 2019b). condition (Jones and Garcia 2018b) and blood
There is a vast amount of information on the parameters were within normal reference values
domesticated livestock animals (native and (Jones et al. 2019a). This observation stimulated
introduced in the neotropics). However, there is research into the effects of endoparasites of
a dearth of information on non–domesticated captive reared agouti in Trinidad.
neotropical animals, such as the agouti. Factors Jones et al. (2019c) summarized parasitic
affecting its production must be known if this organisms that affect neotropical animals. It was
animal is to be domesticated. In the found that few animals exhibited clinical
conceptualization of intensive animal production diseases and few authors reported the effect of
systems, it is necessary to know the biology and the parasites on these animals. Agouti have been
reproductive aspects of this animal. Based on found with gastrointestinal parasites in captivity
their diets, these animals have been previously as well as in the wild. In Trinidad, Suepaul et al.
classified as frugivores and herbivores (Garcia et (2016) identified a cestode, a trematode, an
al. 2000; Silvius and Fragoso 2003; Henry 1999). ascarid like worm, Strongyloides spp.,
Recently, these animals have been reclassified as Helminthoxy urichi and Trichuris spp. Jones and
omnivores due to their eating habits in captive Garcia (2017, 2018b) found similar parasites to
and wild populations (McWilliams 2009; those found by Suepaul et al. (2016), but the
Figueira et al. 2014; Lall et al. 2018; Jones et al. animals were in good body condition.
2019c; Smith and Smith 2019). Anatomically, Endoparasites in agouti have been reported
agouti has a large caecum that facilitates fibre in Brazil (Goncalves et al. 2007; Lainson et al.
digestion and a simple acid pepsin stomach 2007, da Silva et al. 2008; Ramos et al. 2016),
(Garcia et al. 2000). Paraguay (Cassone and Durette–Dessete 1991)
Agoutis produce one to three offsprings per and Guyana (Zimmerman et al. 2009). However,
parturition throughout the year. Adult animals most authors failed to record the effects the
weigh between 2 – 4 kg and take 9 months to parasites had on the animals. The objective of
reach sexual maturity (Guimaraes et al. 2009). this study, therefore, was to investigate the effect
The adult female agouti has an oestrus cycle that of an anthelmintic on the growth and
ranges from 28 – 31 days (Guimaraes et al. reproductive performance of agouti.
2011). The gestation period of these animals is
103 days (de Oliviera et al. 2019). There is Methodology
information in the literature on the nutrition and
reproduction of agouti, but limited on health Animal location and housing
management. However, one of the major threats
to livestock production has been parasitic This study was carried out at the Neotropical
diseases and currently limited information is Wildlife Unit at The University of the West
available on the effects of parasites on Indies Trinidad Field Station Farm. The farm
performance parameters in agouti. Due to the is located in Mt. Hope (10º38’16” N and
presence of numerous endoparasites (Griffiths 61º25’41” W.). An average day temperature of
1940; Cameron and Reesal 1951; Lainson et al. 32 0C, and an average night temperature of 22
0
2007; da Silva et al. 2008; Goncalves et al. 2007; C were recorded. The average humidity was
282 Trop. Agric. (Trinidad) Vol. 97 No. 4 September 2020Is use of an anthelmintic necessary in the management of agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)?; K.R. Jones and G.W. Garcia
82% with an average annual rainfall of 1700 analyses. The blood samples were refrigerated
mm. The unit has been operational for more at 4 0C overnight and analysed at Animedics
than two decades. The building is open-sided Pet Hospital located in Chaguanas, Trinidad.
allowing for natural ventilation. The animal The blood was analysed using the Abaxis
enclosures were cleaned daily. This unit systems (VETSCAN® VS2 Chemistry
houses approximately 100 captive reared Analyser and VETSCAN® HM5 hematology
agoutis at different physiological states (adult analyser.
males, adult non-pregnant females, juveniles Gastrointestinal samples werecollected
and pregnant females). Captive reared animals and analyzed using faecal floatation techniques
were housed in concrete floor pens as well as (Hendrix and Robinson 2016); 3 g of
in cages. gastrointestinal contents were taken and mixed
with 45 mls of a 33% zinc sulphate solution.
Phase 1 The mixture was then strained to remove
excessive debris. The filtrate was then placed
Experimental design into a measuring cylinder until a positive
meniscus was obtained. The mixture was
A total of 14 weaned agoutis were selected, allowed to settle for 15 minutes. A cover slip
each weighed approximately 0.9 kg. These was then placed on top of the measuring
animals were randomly divided into two cylinder and then placed onto a microscopic
groups. The first group of animals was not slide. This slide was viewed under a light
given any anthelmintic treatment for the microscope for identification of endoparasitic
duration of the experiment. The second group eggs or ova. The faecal analysis was done at the
was given Endovet Ces® (ivermectin and Parasitology Laboratory at The UWI School of
praziquantel) subcutaneously at 0.5 mg/kg Veterinary Medicine, Mt. Hope.
every 3 months during the period May 2018 to
July 2019. Diet of the agouti (D. leporina)
At the end of the experiment, animals of
both groups were slaughtered humanely by The animals were fed a variety of local fruits
veterinarians. The live-weights of the animals and forages found on the farm. These included;
were taken pre-slaughter. A body condition breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), guava (Psidium
score was given to each animal before guajava), pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) and
slaughter. Blood was collected from the mango (Mangifera indica). The diet was
animals via the jugular vein and supplemented with approximately 200 g of
gastrointestinal contents from the rectum were rabbit rations formulated by National Flour
collected. The hot carcass weights and weights Mills® and chicken (Gallus domesticus) eggs
of visceral organs, skin, head and feet were daily. Throughout the experiment the agouti
taken. The carcasses were chilled for 24 hours were given water ad libitum.
and a cold carcass weight was taken (Figure 1).
Statistical analysis
Blood and gastrointestinal content analysis
Data obtained from the study were
Blood collected from the jugular vein was summarized as mean ± standard deviation.
placed into purple top (with anticoagulant Student t–test analysis using SPSS (20) and a
EDTA) and red top (with no anticoagulant) significance level of P ≤ 0.05 was used
tubes for haematological and biochemical throughout the experiment.
Trop. Agric. (Trinidad) Vol. 97 No. 4 September 2020 283Is use of an anthelmintic necessary in the management of agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)?; K.R. Jones and G.W. Garcia
Phase 2 Statistical analysis
Experimental design Data were analyzed using a completely
randomized design with the different treatments
Thirty healthy multiparous captive reared using the SPSS (20) one–way ANOVA. A
female agoutis were selected and randomly significance level of P ≤ 0.05 was used.
placed into two groups (15 females to one male Comparisons were made between means of
per group) (Figure 2). The males, two-year-old various treatment groups. The effect of
proven sires, were chosen for the experiment. anthelmintic on the sex of the offspring was
Animals that were chosen had weights ranging determined using the Fisher Exact Test with a
from 2.1 – 2.8 kg. The first group (control significance level at P ≤ 0.05.
group) was not given a subcutaneous injection
with Endovet Ces® (ivermectin and Results
praziquantel) at 0.2 mg/kg. Animals that were
in the second treatment group received Phase 1
anthelmintic injections every 3 months for the
entire experimental period. Female agoutis The blood parameters of the animals fell within
were then observed for signs of pregnancy, the normal limits for agoutis housed in captivity
which included enlargement of the mammary (Jones et al. 2019a, Baas et al. 1976). No
teats and increase in abdominal size. Once gastrointestinal eggs or oocysts were found in the
pregnancy was confirmed by physical faecal samples that were taken from the rectum.
observation, the females were placed in a Adult worms were also not found in the rectal
separated cage. At parturition, the offsprings’ samples collected from the agoutis. The animals
sex, birth weights and litter sizes were taken. had a body condition score of 4 out of 5 (Ullman–
The offsprings were kept with their mother for Cullere and Foltz 1999). The animals had a good
2 weeks before the mother was returned to her covering of flesh before slaughter (Figure 1).
respective group for breeding again. The There was no significant difference (P >
experiment took place from May 2018 until 0.05) in the growth, hot carcass, cold carcass,
January 2020. hot dressing percentage, cold dressing
percentage, gastrointestinal tract (GIT), lungs,
Diet of the agouti kidneys, heart, feet and skin between the two
treatment groups. The weight of the liver and
The animals were fed the same diet as pluck had significant differences (P ≤ 0.05)
described in Phase 1. between the two groups (Table 1).
Figures 1: Agoutis reared in experimental cages before slaughter, animals in excellent body
condition with shiny coats
284 Trop. Agric. (Trinidad) Vol. 97 No. 4 September 2020Is use of an anthelmintic necessary in the management of agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)?; K.R. Jones and G.W. Garcia
Table 1: Data obtained from carcasses of the agouti (D. leporina) reared with and without
anthelmintic treatments
No anthelmintic Anthelmintic SEM P–value
Live weight (g) 2413 2643 267 0.3211
Growth (g) 1605 1713 157 0.511
Hot carcass (g) 1380 1580 131 0.058
Hot dressing percentage (%) 57.19 57.14 0.91 0.963
Cold carcass (g) 1389 1476 67.62 0.214
Cold dressing percentage (%) 57.57 55.89 1.49 0.274
Pluck (g) 358.4 427.9 30.89 0.042
Gastrointestinal tract (g) 216.1 261.1 24.1 0.084
Lungs (g) 37.57 45.00 4.23 0.102
Liver (g) 88.86 104.00 3.90 0.002
Kidney (g) 30.43 32.14 1.61 0.303
Heart (g) 32.71 34.67 2.58 0.480
Head (g) 241.0 237.1 14.8 0.797
Feet (g) 93.00 85.29 7.57 0.324
Skin (g) 341.3 381.4 20.8 0.75
The animals that were dewormed had size and gender of offspring. Throughout the
significantly higher (P = 0.042) pluck weight duration of the experiment animals that were
than the animals that were not dewormed. exposed to the anthelmintic had 25
Agoutis that were dewormed also had parturitions, whilst animals that were not
significantly (P = 0.02) heavier livers than exposed had 10 parturitions. The differences in
animals not exposed to the deworming agent parturition number may have been due to other
(Table 1). The animals in treatment one and reproductive factors such as individual
two had live weights of 2.4 and 2.6 kg animals’ oestrus cycle. Further studies will
respectively. need to be done to accurately determine if
anthelmintic usage has an effect on parturition.
Phase 2 There was no statistical difference (P > 0.05)
between both treatment groups with respect to
Reproductive parameters were reported in this birth weights, litter weights, litter size and
experiment; birth weights, litter weights, litter gender of offspring (Table 2).
Figure 2: Experimental agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) reared at a female to male ratio of 15:1 on
concrete floor pens in Trinidad, West Indies
Trop. Agric. (Trinidad) Vol. 97 No. 4 September 2020 285Is use of an anthelmintic necessary in the management of agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)?; K.R. Jones and G.W. Garcia
At birth, offspring of agoutis treated with the was 343.0 g. The litter size was recorded as 1.7
anthelmintic weighed 220.2 g as compared to offspring per litter for both treatment groups.
the offspring of untreated agoutis that weighed Throughout the experiment, only single and
209.1 g. The average litter weight of animals twin births were recorded. The anthelmintic
treated with the anthelmintic was 369.8 g, had no significant effect on the gender of the
whilst the average weight of the control group offspring produced (P = 0.251) (Table 3).
Figure 3: Adult female agouti that produced twin offspring
Table 2: Effect of anthelmintic treatment on some reproductive parameters of the agouti
(Dasyprocta leporina)
No anthelmintic (n = Anthelmintic (n=25) P–value
10)
Birth weight (g) 209.1 220.24 0.263
Litter weight (g) 343.0 369.8 0.704
Litter size 1.7 1.7 0.676
Tables 3: Two way table showing effect of anthelmintic treatment on male and female offspring
in the agouti
Control Anthelmintic Total P value
Male 5 19 24 0.251
Female 12 21 33
Total 17 40 57
286 Trop. Agric. (Trinidad) Vol. 97 No. 4 September 2020Is use of an anthelmintic necessary in the management of agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)?; K.R. Jones and G.W. Garcia
Discussion dewormed animals had a significant reduction
in live weight as compared to the control
Phase 1 (animals given no dewormer) (Thomas and
Morgan 2013). This current study with alpacas
The average live weights obtained in this and agoutis suggest that endoparasites may not
experiment for the two treatments were 2.4 kg be detrimental to the animals. Endoparasites
and 2.6 kg. The live weight of adult agoutis have been found in agouti in the neotropics.
recorded in the literature was between 2 – 4 kg Some of the endoparasites identified were:
(Baas et al. 1976; Eisenberg and Redford 1999; Stichorchis giganteus, Raillietina
Brown-Uddenberg et al. 2004; Mc Williams demerariensis var. trinitatae, Strongyloides
2009). Data on the carcass of agouti have not agouti, Trichuris gracilis var. trinitatae,
been reported in the literature. However, the Acanthocheilonema spp., Fuellebornema
dressing percentages found (57% and 55%) agoutii, Pudica pudica, Apidodera binansata
were similar to those of other neotropical var. agoutiae, Helminthoxys urichi, Eimeria
animals such as the collared peccary (P. aguti, E. cotiae and E. paraensis (Griffiths
tajacu/ T. tajacu) and the capybara (H. 1940; Cameron and Reesal 1951; Goncalves et
hystrochaeris). The dressing percentage of the al. 2007; Lainson et al. 2007; da Silva et al.
capybara ranged from 51 – 55% (Saadoun and 2008; Suepaul et al. 2016; Jones and Garcia
Cabrera 2008, Pinheiro and Moriera 2012) and 2017, 2018b). In this study, endoparasitic eggs
that for the collared peccary was between 52.1 were not identified using faecal floatation
– 60.4% (Saadoun and Cabrera 2008; techniques. The absence of endoparasitic eggs
Albuquerque et al. 2010, 2012). does not imply that endoparasites were absent
There were significant differences in the in these animals. Faecal floatation can be
weight of the pluck and the liver between the inconclusive in cases where the parasites have
two treatment groups. The pluck of agouti not reached maturity. Female helminths may
comprises of organs that are present in the also shed eggs periodically if the animal is
thoracic and abdominal cavities. The stressed, thus if faeces is collected in non–
difference in the weight of the pluck between stressful situations, eggs will not be present in
the treatments was due to the liver weight. This the faeces (Soulsby 1968).
difference between treatments was not Earlier work by Jones and Garcia (2017,
expected. Until this experiment, none was 2018b) found that the gastrointestinal parasites
previously done on agouti, hence this study had no effect on the animals’ body condition.
provides the first baseline data on the use of Trichuris gracilis (2.2 x 102 eggs per gram),
anthelmintic in the rearing of agouti. The liver Paraspidoera uncinata, Eimeria spp. (2.1 x
weight was the only organ in the animal with a 103 eggs per gram), Strongyloides spp (4.28 x
significant difference between the two groups. 102 eggs per gram) were found in these
The anthelmintic used, Endovet Ces® reduces animals. These animals were at a body
the number of endoparasites in domesticated condition of 3 out of 5 with serum biochemical
livestock. It contains ivermectin and and haematological values showing no
praziquantel which can be used to treat evidence of parasitic infection (Jones et al.
roundworms and flatworms (Hendrix and 2019a). The results of this study were in
Robinson 2016). agreement with Jones and Garcia (2017,
The results suggest that the use of Endovet 2018b) who demonstrated that anthelmintic
Ces® had no effect on the live weight and most use did not improve the animal’s performance;
of the carcass traits that were recorded. all animals had a body condition of 4 out of 5.
Interestingly, a similar experiment was done The ability of the non-treated group to
on weaned alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and perform as well as the treated group suggests
Trop. Agric. (Trinidad) Vol. 97 No. 4 September 2020 287Is use of an anthelmintic necessary in the management of agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)?; K.R. Jones and G.W. Garcia
that agouti may have an inherent ability to 193.2 g. In comparison to this study higher
handle endoparasites of the gastrointestinal birth weights were recorded in Trinidad by
tract. These results suggest that anthelmintics Brown–Uddenberg (2001), where male
are not required in the intensive production of agoutis weighed 307 g and females weighed
agouti. However for domesticated livestock 288 g. Differences in the birth weights
reared in the neotropics, strategic anthelmintic recorded by several authors can be attributed to
treatment is necessary for optimal animal the feeding regimes used in the captive sites.
performance. Environmental factors can also play a
Similar results were reported on the growth considerable role in the birth weight of
of the agouti, with no statistical significance offspring.
seen between animals that were dewormed as There is no published literature on litter
compared to the control group. Parameters weights of agouti. This parameter is of
such as dressing percentage, average daily gain paramount importance as it can be used in the
and adult body weight were not affected by the calculation of the ratio of litter weight to the
use of a dewormer (Jones and Garcia maternal body weight. The use of Endovet
unpublished). The results obtained in this study Ces® had no statistical effect (P > 0.05) on the
were in contrast to results reported for litter size of the agouti; the average litter size
domesticated livestock species. In cattle, the of agoutis in this study (both treatment groups)
use of an anthelmintic, such as fenbendazole, was 1.7. The majority of births were twins,
had a positive effect on production. Cattle with no records of triples or quadruplets. A
which were dewormed had higher weight gain similar average litter size of 1.71 was recorded
as compared to the negative control group in in captive reared agoutis in Trinidad (Brown–
North America (Baltzell et al. 2015). The Uddenberg 2001). Slightly higher litter sizes of
effects of deworming on reproduction in 2.1 and 2.09 were recorded in the Peruvian
N’Dama cattle were investigated and annual Amazon and in Brazil respectively (Mayor et
calving rates were higher for animals treated al. 2010; Pachaly et al. 2001).
with fenbendazole as compared to the The sex ratio of the offspring showed no
untreated group. It was found that animals statistical difference (P =0.251) between
should be dewormed twice a year to obtain treatment groups. Pachaly et al. (2001)
optimal results (Zinsstag et al. 1997). reported a female to male ratio of 1 to 1 which
Anthelminthic usage generally cause increase was similar to the agoutis that were exposed to
in growth and reproductive performance in an anthelmintic. The information obtained in
domesticated livestock. Generally, this experiment showed that the use of an
endoparasites compete with their hosts for anthelmintic (Endovet Ces®) had no statistical
nutrients that are needed for improved significance on the reproductive performance
performance. with respect to birth weight, litter size, litter
weight and sex ratio of captive reared agoutis
Phase 2 in Trinidad.
The birth weight of offsprings showed no Conclusion
statistical difference (P > 0.05) among
treatment groups; the mean birth weight of the Deworming weaned agoutis that were
offsprings from dewormed animals was 220.2 intensively reared had no significant effect on
g, while that of the control group was 209.1 g. their growth, dressing percentage (hot and
Similar birth weights were reported in South cold), weight of the carcass, kidneys, head,
America for captive reared agoutis. Pachaly et feet, heart, GIT and skin. However,
al. (2001) recorded mean birth weights of deworming had a significant effect on the
288 Trop. Agric. (Trinidad) Vol. 97 No. 4 September 2020Is use of an anthelmintic necessary in the management of agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)?; K.R. Jones and G.W. Garcia
weight of the liver and ultimately, the weight T. Sampson. 2004. The Agouti
of the pluck. The agouti had dressing (Dasyprocta leporina, D. agouti) Booklet
percentages of around 55%, which to the and Production Manual. St. Augustine,
authors’ knowledge was the first time to be Trinidad: GWG Publications.
recorded in the literature. This dressing Cameron, T.W.M., and M.R. Reesal. 1951.
percentage is in similar range to capybara and “Studies on the Endoparasitic Fauna of
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parameters. Trichostrongylid Nematodes Coparasites
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