FIRST RECORD OF TRYPANOSOMES IN TASMANIAN BANDICOOTS

Trypanosomes were observed in 38% of blood smears from southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus) and in 10% of blood smears from eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii). This is the first record of such hemoparasites in Tasmanian marsupials. There appeared to be a statist ically significant size difference between trypanosomes found in the 2 bandicoot species, suggesting the possibility of 2 distinct species o f parasite. There appears to be a distinction between the trypanosomes found in our temperate Isoodon species and the tropical bandicoot, Is oodon macrurus. The use of the microhematocrit method provided an effe ctive means for concentrating trypanosomes, whereas image analysis was a more effective method than the ocular micrometer for obtaining accu rate measurements.