[Studies on the Filariidae of Cervidae in southern Germany. 2. Filariidae of the red deer (Cervus elaphus)].

In southern Germany many of the red deer are infected with 4 filariid species. The microfilariae of 3 subcutaneous and one intradermal filariae are described. Skin snips were taken according to a regular pattern from the hides of several killed deer. The emerging microfilariae were identified and counted, and the characteristic distribution of each species in the skin was plotted. The adult worms of O. tarsicola are located on the abductor tendons of the tibiotarsal or radiocarpal joints. Some microfilariae are found in the tissues near the adults, but they concentrate at a considerable distance away, in the skin which covers the outer parts of the ears and the nose. The adult worms of O. tubingensis are found in subcutaneous nodules on the caudal part of the back. The microfilariae are distributed on the ventral part of the body with maximum densities in the region of the sternum and with lower densities on the inner sides of the hindlegs. O. flexuosa is also found in nodules on the back and flanks of the deer, while the microfilariae are distributed on the posterior part of the body with maximum densities on the inner sides of the hindlegs. C. wenki lives intradermally on the dorsal part of the trunk. The microfilariae are found in the skin near the adults. The infection rates of 94 red deer investigated during 1907-1974 were high: O. tarsicola 82%, O. tubingensis 23%, O. flexuosa 96%, C. wenki 85%. The prepatent period of all species is no longer than 6 months.