Lung nematodes of chamois in the Low Tatra National Park, Slovakia

Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica) in the Low Tatra National Park are largely infected with the lungworms Muellerius capillaris and M. tenuispiculatus and sporadically with Dictyocaulus viviparus. The mean number of first stage larvae (L1) per gram of faeces collected at chamois stands over the years 1981-1988 varied between 28.2 (+/- 11.9) and 61.6 (+/- 35.9). The degree of infection in chamois herds was significantly higher in the spring and autumn months, except for the spring of 1981, than in the summer season. The mean number of L1 per gram found in the dissected chamois (lung and intestinal content) varied between 64.53 (+/- 32.7) and 97.5 (+/- 36.4).