4 ms·
Animal trypanosomiasis, transmitted by tsetse flies, causes "fever, weakness, and lethargy, which lead to weight loss and anemia; in some animals the disease is
by vntok 8y ago
Animal trypanosomiasis, transmitted by tsetse flies, causes "fever, weakness, and lethargy, which lead to weight loss and anemia; in some animals the disease is fatal unless treated".
Doesn't it sound like such diseases are likely to alter a zebra's fecundity?
- lurquer 8y agoThe study involved horseflies in England... not tse-tse flies in Africa. As far as the effect of 'such diseases' on a zebra's fecundity, I have no idea. For all we know, a feverish lethargic zebra is EASIER for a stallion to mount than a healthy zebra. Nobody knows. The study, incidentally, did not deal with the types of flies accustomed to biting zebras. I have every reason to think a typical African biting fly would have no problem alighting on a zebra... it's what they do for a living.