Stomoxys as vectors of Stephanofilaria dinniki in rhinoceros

Abstract

We took advantage of rhinoceros translocations and entomological studies in the 1990s to elucidate some aspects of the biology of Stephanofilaria in Kenya, which remains largely undocumented. Blood samples from 88 black and 27 white rhinos were screened for microfilariae during routine haematology. Microfilariae matching S. dinniki were found in three individual black rhinos on single occasions and were not found in white rhino s; the parasite was not transmissible to tsetse or laboratory mice. Thousands of proboscides of 19 species of Stomoxyinae and other Diptera were dissected from Nairobi National Park and Solio Ranch to detect larval forms of filarial nematodes. Stephanofilaria was found in seven Stomoxys species at low prevalence (< 2%, mean of nine per fly), with a few similar parasites found in two Haematobosca species. Larval filaria were measured for basic landmarks and were described through light microscopy. This information now provides a foundation for more detailed studies of the life cycle of this parasite.