本研究利用直接塗抹法、浮游法、仔蟲培養以及球蟲芽孢化,分析2010年3月到2013年2月間於臺東鸞山地區所收集到可辨識個體的73個(31隻個體)臺灣穿山甲(Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla)之排遺內腸道寄生蟲種類。結果共發現10種腸道寄生蟲,其中屬於線蟲動物門的有鉤蟲、糞桿線蟲和仔蟲、毛細線蟲、鞭蟲、腸結節蟲和未知線蟲1(內呈現多細胞分化狀)、未知線蟲2(長橢圓形)等7種,以及屬於原蟲的2種艾美球蟲和1種Monocystis sp.。其中檢出率較高的為鉤蟲、艾美球蟲和糞桿線蟲。Monocystis sp.和毛細線蟲則多於乾季時被檢出。因為Monocystis sp.為僅寄生於蚯蚓的原蟲,推測穿山甲很可能因為乾季的食物資源較缺乏而取食蚯蚓。穿山甲個體感染各種類寄生蟲的比例有極顯著的差異,且以混合感染2-3種腸道寄生蟲的情形最常見。不同性別或乾濕季間的陽性率都沒有顯著差異;不過,成體顯著比亞成體的陽性率高,而雄性檢出9種腸道寄生蟲,高於雌性的6種,這些可能都與成體或雄性的活動範圍較大,以及較緊迫有關。本研究的結果顯示野生穿山甲感染腸道寄生蟲是相當普遍的現象。未來應該針對樣區內的穿山甲個體,以及其他的共域之野生動物進行長期的腸道寄生蟲監測。
This research investigated the intestinal parasites of the Formosan pangolin (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla) based on analysis of 73 fecal samples (belong to 31 individuals) collected between March 2010 and February 2013 in Luanshan, Taitung. Techniques used were direct smear method, floating method, culture method for larvae, and coccidia sporulation. A total of 10 different intestinal parasites were found, including 7 Nematoda, namely Hookworm, Strongyloides sp., Capillaria sp., Trichuris sp., Oesophagostomum sp., Unknown1 (containing multiple cell-like form) and Unknown 2 (long-oblong form), and 3 protozoa (2 Eimeria sp. and 1 Monocystis sp.). Hookworm, Eimeria sp., and Strongyloides sp. had highest detection rates. Capillaria sp. and Monocystis sp. were founded mostly in the dry season. Because Monocystis sp. only parasitic in earthworms, this suggested that pangolin might consume earthworms in the dry season when food is in shortage. There were significant differences in individual infection of parasites, while 2-3 species mixed infections were most common. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of infection between genders and wet and dry seasons. The prevalence of infection, however, was significant higher in adults and more species (n=9) were found in males than in female (n=6), these might due to the larger home range and more stressful in adults and males. Results showed that the intestinal parasite infection was common in wild pangolins; therefore, it is important to undertake long-term monitoring of intestinal parasites in individual pangolins and sympatric wild animals.