Inventarisasi dan Kajian Molekuler Parasit pada Biawak Komodo (Varanus komodoensis Ouwens, 1912) di Kawasan Taman Nasional Komodo

Aji Winarso, Prof. Dr.med.vet. drh. Raden Wisnu Nurcahyo; Dr. drh. Dwi Priyowidodo, MP; Assoc.Prof. MVDr. Ivona Foitová, Ph.D

2026 | Disertasi | S3 Sain Veteriner

Penelitian ini mengkaji keragaman parasit pada biawak komodo (Varanus komodoensis) di Taman Nasional Komodo (TNK) untuk mendukung strategi konservasi satwa liar berbasis kerangka kerja One Health. Survei longitudinal menggunakan teknik accidental sampling dilakukan di habitat Loh Liang dan Loh Buaya terhadap 30 individu komodo. Sampel biologis meliputi feses, ektoparasit, darah, dan larva lalat diidentifikasi secara morfologis, kemudian dikonfirmasi secara molekuler melalui amplifikasi gen 16S rRNA (caplak) dan 18S rRNA (protozoa darah) beserta analisis pohon filogenetik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan infeksi cestoda endemik Kapsulotaenia sandgroundi pada saluran pencernaan dengan prevalensi rendah (6,67%) akibat hambatan iklim ekstrem sabana. Sebaliknya, infestasi caplak sangat dominan dengan prevalensi 96,7%, terdiri atas tiga spesies simpatrik (Amblyomma helvolum, A. robinsoni, dan A. komodoense). Kajian ini mendokumentasikan insiden perdana gigitan A. helvolum pada manusia di Indonesia yang mengonfirmasi perluasan inang oportunistik. Pada observasi hemoparasit, analisis morfometrik dan filogenetik berhasil mendeskripsikan taksa baru, Hepatozoon komodoense sp. nov.. Selain itu, dilaporkan kasus pertama traumatic myiasis pada komodo liar akibat invasi larva lalat Chrysomya rufifacies pada luka. Kesimpulannya, komodo menjadi inang bagi beragam taksa parasit. Temuan ini berkontribusi krusial bagi manajemen biosekuriti satwa liar, kewaspadaan zoonosis tular-vektor, dan rekomendasi kesehatan lingkungan wisata melalui One Health.

This study investigates the parasite diversity in Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) within Komodo National Park (KNP) to support wildlife conservation strategies based on the One Health framework. A longitudinal survey utilizing an accidental sampling technique was conducted in the Loh Liang and Loh Buaya habitats, involving 30 individual dragons. Biological samples—including feces, ectoparasites, blood, and fly larvae—were morphologically identified and subsequently confirmed using molecular approaches through the amplification of the 16S rRNA (ticks) and 18S rRNA (blood protozoa) genes, coupled with phylogenetic analysis. The results revealed a low prevalence (6.67%) of the endemic gastrointestinal cestode Kapsulotaenia sandgroundi, driven by an extreme savanna climate bottleneck. Conversely, tick infestation was highly dominant at a 96.7% prevalence, comprising three sympatric species (Amblyomma helvolum, A. robinsoni, and A. komodoense). Notably, this study documented the first incident of an A. helvolum bite on a human in Indonesia, confirming opportunistic host-shifting behavior. Regarding hemoparasites, morphometric and phylogenetic analyses successfully described a novel taxon, Hepatozoon komodoense sp. nov. Additionally, the first case of traumatic myiasis in a wild Komodo dragon, caused by Chrysomya rufifacies larvae invading a wound, was reported. In conclusion, Komodo dragons serve as hosts for a diverse array of parasite taxa. These crucial findings contribute to wildlife biosecurity management, vigilance against vector-borne zoonoses, and recommendations for environmental health in tourist areas through a unified One Health approach.

Kata Kunci : Amblyomma, Chrysomya, Hepatozoon komodoense, Kapsulotaenia sandgroundi, One Health, Varanus komodoensis