Rumen Ciliate Protozoa of the Sable Antelope Hippotragus Niger

Abstract

Of the 11 ciliate protozoa present in the rumen of the sable antelope, two are holotrichs and nine entodiniomorphs. One new species Diplodinium (Eudiplodinium) sablei is described. The seven antelopes investigated gave an average total number of protozoa per cm³ rumen fluid of 1,79 ± 0,39 × 10⁵, a relatively low figure typical of grazing wild ungulates.