Mithun (Bos frontalis) is a rare bovine species in the hilly regions of Northeast India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and China, significantly contributing to indigenous communities' socio-economic and cultural lives. However, their health and productivity are compromised by various parasitic diseases. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the parasitic infections affecting Mithun, categorized into helminths, protozoa and arthropods. Helminth infections include trematodes (Fasciola spp.), nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus spp., Ostertagia spp.) and cestodes (Moniezia spp.). Protozoan infections are primarily caused by blood protozoa (Theileria orientalis) and tissue protozoa (Eimeria spp.). Arthropod parasites include ticks (Rhipicephalus spp., Haemaphysalis spp., Ixodes spp.) and various flies. Effective control and management strategies are crucial for mitigating these parasitic threats and enhancing the well-being and productivity of Mithun populations.
Kilikali K. Yepthomi
ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Medziphema, Nagaland (797 106), India
Jayanta Kumar Chamuah*
Plabita Goswami
Limasungla Imchen
Yepthomi, K.K., Chamuah, J.K., Goswami, P., Imchen, L., 2024. Parasites of mithun (Bos frontalis). Biotica Research Today 6(7), 369-371.
Chamuah, J.K., Das, M., Islam, S., Rajkhowa, S., Rajkhowa, C., Chakraborty, A., 2009. Studies on gastrointestinal helminths of Mithun (Bos frontalis). Journal of Veterinary Parasitology 23(1), 37-40.
Chamuah, J.K., Perumal, P., Singh, V., Mech, A., Borkotoky, D., 2013. Helminth parasites of Mithun (Bos frontalis) - An overview. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 83(3), 235-237.