Parasites of free-ranging black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) from Belize and Mexico

Vitazkova, Sylvia K.; Wade, Susan E.

doi:10.1002/ajp.20309

Cited by 58 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Therefore, in this study, either individuals that used more intensively their home range did not contact contaminated items in their environment more often, or other mechanisms, such as increased contact between group members in the larger groups, or increased contact between individuals and parasites when the home range size is larger, may have been responsible for the observed results. Previous studies of non-sympatric populations of Alouatta palliata and A. pigra found no differences in parasitism patterns between species, suggesting that our result is not due to species differences in vulnerability to parasitism (e.g., Vitazkova and Wade 2006;Trejo-Macías et al 2007;Alvarado-Villalobos 2010;Cristóbal-Azkarate et al 2010;Valdespino et al 2010). However, the present study does not allow discarding phylogenetic history or other behavioral differences between the two species as potential predictors for the observed patterns of DTP parasitism.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 64%

Does home range use explain the relationship between group size and parasitism? A test with two sympatric species of howler monkeys

et al. 2011

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Group size is related to parasite infections in primates. This relationship probably reflects the fact that group size is associated with body contact between group members and with contact with contaminated items in the environment. The latter is highly associated with range use. In the present study we hypothesized that if infection by directly transmitted parasites (DTP) is mainly determined by the exposure of individuals to parasites that accumulate in the environment, and group size correlates negatively with the intensity of home range use, then smaller groups should be more infected by DTP. Additionally, groups that share a higher proportion of their home range with other groups should be more infected. To test our hypothesis we observed and collected fecal samples of two groups of Alouatta palliata (large group size) and two groups of A. pigra (small group size) that live sympatrically in a forest fragment located in Macuspana (Mexico). Group size was positively correlated with range area size and negatively correlated with the intensity of home range use. Range use variables were not related to either DTP prevalence or load. However, there were significant differences in DTP loads between groups, which were positively correlated with group size. Our results suggest that the intensity of home range use is a poor predictor of DTP infection parameters in groups with marked differences in size. Therefore, it is possible that the individual or combined effects of other ecological (e.g., microclimate), social (e.g., contact rate), or physiological (e.g., immune function) factors are more important in the dynamics of DTP in free-ranging primates.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 64%

Does home range use explain the relationship between group size and parasitism? A test with two sympatric species of howler monkeys

et al. 2011

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“…Zoonotic assemblages (G. duodenalis assemblage A and B) have been described in NHP Graczyk et al, 2002;Nizeyi et al, 2002, Vitazkova andWade, 2006). However, differentiation of the assemblages of G. duodenalis based morphological features is impossible, and therefore additional prevalence data based on molecular techniques are needed to confirm this reservoir function of NHP involved in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Gastrointestinal protozoa in non-human primates of four zoological gardens in Belgium

Levecke

Dorny

Geurden

et al. 2007

Veterinary Parasitology

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Gastrointestinal parasites are important infectious causes of diarrhoea in captive non-human primates (NHP). However, prevalence data of gastrointestinal parasites in zoological gardens are scarce. Therefore, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to estimate the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in NHP of four zoological gardens in Belgium. Between August 2004 and April 2006, 910 faecal samples were collected from 222 animals housed in 39 groups. The 31 species involved were representatives of prosimians, New World (NW) monkeys, Old World (OW) monkeys and apes. Because individual sampling was impossible, a statistical simulation was performed to estimate a sufficient sample size. All samples were microscopically examined after an acetic acid-ether concentration. Differences in host species susceptibility were examined by non-parametric tests. Entamoeba spp. (44%) and Giardia spp. (41%) were the most prevalent species. Other parasites detected were Endolimax nana (36%), Chilomastix mesnili (21%), Balantidium coli (13%), Trichuris spp. (10%), Iodamoeba bütschlii (5%) and Strongyloides spp. (5%). Parasites for which a significant difference in susceptibility at the level of host taxonomy was noted were Entamoeba spp. ( p < 0.001) and C. mesnili ( p < 0.05). Samples containing Entamoeba spp. were the most prevalent in OW monkeys ( p < 0.0083). Samples collected from OW monkeys contained the highest number of parasite species ( p < 0.0083).

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“…In contrast, C. biliophilus has a very complex cycle that requires two intermediate hosts. The first is believed to be a snail and the second is hypothesized to be ants [Vitazkova & Wade, 2006].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gastrointestinal parasites of Howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) inhabiting the fragmented landscape of the Santa Marta mountain range, Veracruz, Mexico

Valdespino

Rico-Hernández²,

Mandujano

2010

American J Primatol

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In recent years populations of howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) in southeastern Mexico have decreased substantially due to the transformation and loss of natural habitats. This is especially evident in the Santa Marta mountain range, Veracruz, Mexico where several studies have evaluated the impact of fragmentation on howler monkey populations in order to propose management programs for their conservation. The conditions generated by fragmentation likely change the rates of parasitic infection and could decrease howler survival. In this study, gastrointestinal parasite species richness, prevalence, and egg density of infection were determined in howler groups inhabiting five forest fragments at the Santa Marta mountain range. Two hundred and seventy-eight fresh fecal samples were collected between October 2002 and April 2003. Three parasite species were found during the dry and the wet season in all forest fragments sampled: one unidentified species of Eimeriidae; Trypanoxyuris minutus (Oxyuridae); and Controrchis biliophilus (Dicrocoeliidae). Both the prevalence of T. minutus and infection density for all parasites differed between seasons and fragments (the largest fragment consistently differed from other fragments). Host density, distance to the nearest town, fragment size, fragment shape, and total basal area of food trees explained parasite prevalence, but each species had a different pattern. Although parasite richness was lower, prevalence and density were higher than values reported for howlers in conserved forests. These results suggest that the establishment of biological corridors and animal translocation programs must take into account the parasite ecology of each fragment to avoid higher infection rates and preclude potential consequent mortality.

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Parasites of free-ranging black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) from Belize and Mexico

Cited by 58 publications

References 29 publications

Does home range use explain the relationship between group size and parasitism? A test with two sympatric species of howler monkeys

Does home range use explain the relationship between group size and parasitism? A test with two sympatric species of howler monkeys

Gastrointestinal protozoa in non-human primates of four zoological gardens in Belgium

Gastrointestinal parasites of Howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) inhabiting the fragmented landscape of the Santa Marta mountain range, Veracruz, Mexico

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