Rumen Ciliates from the Goitered Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) living in the Şanliurfa Province of Turkey

Abstract

Rumen ciliate composition was surveyed in a single Goitered gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa (Güldenstaedt, 1780), living in the Şanliurfa Province in Turkey. As a result of the survey, 3 species belonging to the genus Entodinium, E. dubardi, E. nanellum and E. simplex, were detected. The ciliate density in the rumen content was 87.5 × 104 ml-1. This is the first report on rumen ciliates in gazelle living in Turkey and no previously unknown species were observed. In addition, this is the first report from a wild animal in Turkey. The Goitered gazelle has a fauna somewhat similar to that previously observed in Mongolian gazelle. © Biharean Biologist, Oradea, Romania, 2012.