RUMEN CILIATES OF TOKARA NATIVE GOAT IN KAGOSHIMA, JAPAN

The composition of rumen ciliate protozoa was surveyed in 15 Tokara na tive goats, Capra hircus domesticus, inhibiting Kagoshima, Japan. As a result, of 11 species with 3 forms under 5 genera detected, Entodiniu m simplex, E. nanellum and E. rectangulatum were found in all the anim als examined. The large ophryoscolecid ciliates detected were Polyplas tron multivesiculatum and Metadinium affine alone, which have been reg arded as the typical members of Type A composition proposed by Eadie. Since Tokara native goats have been bred isolated in a small islet for a long time, native goats that had been kept in south Japan might pos sess Type A fauna. Average ciliate density was 43.9 X 10(4) per 1 ml o f rumen fluid. The number of species per host was 8.3 on average. Dive rsity index was 1.412 on average.