The ectoparasites of northern quolls,
Dasyurus hallucatus, are reported from 79 animals
live-trapped at Kapalga Research Station, Kakadu National Park, during
1992–95. The ecto- and endoparasites are reported from 62 dead
D. hallucatus during the same period; these were mostly
road-kills collected from an 88-km section of the Arnhem Highway between
Jabiru and the Northern Entry Station of Kakadu National Park. Tissues from 28
of the road-kills were examined histologically. Additionally, 214 scat samples
were examined for ecto- and endoparasites. Seven species of ectoparasite,
including two species of tick, a larval trombiculid mite, a louse and two
(possibly three) species of flea, and 17 species of endoparasite including a
trematode, a larval cestode, 13 species of nematode, a larval pentastome and a
protozoan were recorded from D. hallucatus. Sarcocystis
sp. was found in tissues but neither Toxoplasma gondii
nor Trichinella pseudospiralis were detected in
histological sections or tissue digests. Ticks, mites and nematodes were found
in scats. The tick Haemaphysalis bancrofti, the flea
Echidnophaga aranka and possibly
E. ambulans, and the nematodes
Mackerrastrongylus peramelis and
Cylicospirura heydoni represent new host records for
D. hallucatus. Although parasitism was common in
D. hallucatus, few individuals harboured large burdens.
Consequently, it appears unlikely that parasitism is a major factor
contributing to the decline of northern quolls in this region.