Diversity, prevalence and risk assessment of nematode parasites in Tatera indica found in Punjab state

Present study was aimed to record diversity, prevalence and risk assessment of nematode parasites in Indian gerbil, Tatera indica, a wild rodent species found in crop fields.

Total 180 Indian gerbils (T. indica) were live trapped from crop fields of Ludhiana, Punjab between April, 2019 to March, 2020 and examined for the diversity and prevalence of nematode parasites in liver and gastrointestinal tract.

Only 33 (18.33%) gerbils were found infected with four nematodes species i.e. Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (39.40%), Calodium hepaticum (21.21%), Trichuris muris (21.21%) and Syphacia muris (18.18%). Eggs of N. brasiliensis, T. muris and S. muris were found in faecal samples. Pale yellow lesions on surface of liver and subsequent histopathology of infected liver indicated the presence of C. hepaticum eggs entrapped in parenchyma. Host age (x²=8.78, P=0.03) and season (x²=9.21, P=0.01) significantly affected the prevalence of N. brassiliensis and C. hepaticum, respectively. Shannon-Weiner index and Species Evenness of nematode parasites were maximum in monsoon season (1.04 and 0.94, respectively). Based on results proper rodent pest management is advised by integrated control measures at village level to prevent spread of diseases caused by them.