Parasites of the northern hairy-nosed wombat Lasiorhinus krefftii: Implications for conservation.

Abstract

The northern hairy-nosed wombat Lasiorhinus krefftii is now restricted to a single population of less than 70 individuals at Epping Forest National Park, North Queensland, Australia, and is listed as critically endangered. We examined six trapped animals for ectoparasites, and 197 faecal samples for endoparasites. All ectoparasites (the tick Ambylomma triguttatum, the flea Echidnophaga cornuta and the louse Boopia dubia) were new host records. Nematode eggs and larvae were found in every faecal sample and the number of eggs varied significantly among months sampled. Cestode proglottids were also found. There was no indication that parasites were causing disease and few species were detected. This last remaining population of L. krefftii may be relatively immunologically naïve, and we suggest that removing them from their natural environment to other areas as part of a captive breeding program should be attempted with caution.