Diet- and host-specific structuring of gastrointestinal helminths and gut bacteria in captive avian species, Nigeria: implications for ex situ conservation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22058821Keywords:
avian welfare, conservation medicine,, host–microbiota interactions,, , parasitological surveillance, tropical zoologyAbstract
Gastrointestinal parasites and gut bacterial communities influence health and welfare in captive birds, but their host- and diet-related interactions remain poorly understood. This study investigated gastrointestinal helminths and culturable gut bacteria in six captive avian species at FUNAAB Zoological Garden, Nigeria, to assess their implications for ex situ conservation and wildlife management. Fresh faecal samples (n = 90) were collected non-invasively from 15 birds across six sampling periods during the wet season. Parasitological analyses used flotation, sedimentation, and modified McMaster techniques, while bacterial loads were determined by aerobic culture and selective media. Only Strongyloides spp. was detected, indicating low helminth diversity but widespread exposure. Infection intensity varied among host species, with water-associated birds showing higher faecal egg counts. Bacterial loads also differed significantly among species and dietary groups, with plant-rich diets associated with higher total bacterial counts and greater abundance of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus spp. Correlation analysis showed weak but significant associations between selected bacterial taxa and helminth egg output. These findings indicate that host identity and diet influence helminth dynamics and gut bacterial structure in captive avifauna. Integrating microbiological and parasitological surveillance could improve husbandry, animal welfare, and zoonotic risk management, while molecular approaches are needed to clarify host–parasite–microbiota interactions.
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