The parasite fauna of Old World Camelids consists of roughly 100 species of which 24 species are stenoxenous, occurring exclusively or mainly only in camels. To these species belong six coccideans (Eimeria cameli, E. rajasthani, E. dromedarii, E. bactriani, E. pellerdyi, Cystoisospora orlovi) at least three Sarcocystis species, the Balantidium-like Infundibulorium cameli, five gastro-intestinal nematodes (Physocephalus dromedarii, Nematodiurus dromedarii, N. mauritanicus, Nematodirella dromedarii and N. cameli), three extra-intestinal nematodes (Dipetalonema, Onchocerca fasciata and Thelazia leesei), the lung worm (Dictyocaulus cameli), the camel tick (Hyalomma dromedarii), the nasopharyngeal bot (Cephalopina titillator) and the camel lousefly (Hippobosca equina). Information about an unnamed Demodex mite found in dromedaries and about the camel sucking louse (Microthoracius cameli) is scanty. The existence of two other nematodes, Trichuris cameli and Anthostrongylus somalilensis is questionable.
Bactrian camel, dromedary, Stenoxenous parasites
