First Description of Seasonal Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in the Vulnerable Gazella cuvieri (Ogilby, 1841) (Mammalia: Bovidae) from Djebel Messaâd Forest, Northern Algeria

The Cuvier’s gazelle Gazella cuvieri is a vulnerable species of high conservational importance, which is endemic in Northwestern Africa. The present study aimed to characterize gastrointestinal parasites in G. cuvieri and to understand the relationship between seasonality factor and parasitic infection rates as well as to analyse their conservational importance in seasonally-variable environments in northern Algeria. Totally, 48 faecal samples were analysed and ten gastrointestinal parasite species were identified, representing seven species of gastrointestinal helminths and three species of parasitic protozoans. It was observed that the seasonal faecal samples were mostly infected with Nematodirus sp. (prevalence 97.9 %). The overall prevalence of Marshallagia sp. and Eimeria sp. were significantly very higher in rainfall season compared to harsh environmental season. The highest gastrointestinal parasite counts were recorded during and soon after peak rainfall, while the lowest value was in the dry season. These findings show that seasonality can be an important driver of gastrointestinal parasitic infections. It seems that observations such as the high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and intensity of the infection, especially in the winter season, should be specifically considered by the wildlife conservation officers. This study could be the key to success in the long-term conservation of this vulnerable species in its native range and in providing a wealth of new information about parasite biodiversity.