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Parasite Prevalence, Abundance, and Diversity in a Semi-free-ranging Colony of Mandrillus sphinx

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Abstract

We examined parasite prevalence, abundance of protozoan cysts and helminth eggs in the feces, and number of parasitic taxa in a population of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) in semi-free-ranging conditions in their habitat range, with respect to the annual cycle, sex, age, dominance rank, and female reproductive status. We identified 3 taxa of amebic protozoa (Entamoeba coli, E. histolytica/dispar complex, and Endolimax nana), 1 ciliate protozoa (Balantidium coli), and various nematodes. Prevalence ranged from 1 observation in 874 samples for Trichuris and Mammomonogamus (nematodes) to 100% for Entamoeba coli and Endolimax nana. Daily observation, consistency of fecal samples, and periodic veterinary examination indicated that the mandrills were all healthy, suggesting that the presence of intestinal parasites in the provisioned population is well tolerated. Parasite prevalence, abundance in the feces, and number of taxa varied significantly across the annual cycle. Nematode egg prevalence and abundance were lowest during the dry season. We found no sexual difference and no influence of female dominance rank on parasitic infections. Nematode prevalence increased significantly with age in females, but not in males. There was no influence of age on prevalence of other taxa, abundance in the feces, or number of taxa. Abundance of nematode eggs in the feces was higher in pregnant than in lactating or cycling females. However, births are seasonal in the mandrill colony, and pregnant females were present during the months when nematode egg abundance was also higher in males, suggesting that this may be an influence of climatic seasonality in addition to, or instead of, female status.

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Acknowledgments

We thank CIRMF for making this study possible. We thank Oliver Bourry, Paul Bamba, Philippe Engandja, Chabanel Mbou, and other staff of the Primate Centre for their help during the study and Aurelie Gauthier for help with fecal sampling. We thank Michael Huffman and 3 anonymous reviewers for constructive criticism of a previous draft of the manuscript. The CIRMF is financed by the Gabonese government, Total Gabon and the Ministère Français des Affaires Etrangères. This study forms part of a Leverhulme Trust project grant (award no. F/01576/B).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, Durham University, 43 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HN, UK

    Joanna M. Setchell

  2. Centre International de Recherches Médicales, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon

    Joanna M. Setchell & E. Jean Wickings

  3. Field Veterinary Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, 10460, USA

    Issa-Ben Bedjabaga & Patricia Reed

  4. Biodiversity and Ecological Processes Group, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3XQ, UK

    Benoit Goossens

  5. Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DZ, UK

    Leslie A. Knapp

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  1. Joanna M. Setchell
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Correspondence to Joanna M. Setchell.

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Setchell, J.M., Bedjabaga, IB., Goossens, B. et al. Parasite Prevalence, Abundance, and Diversity in a Semi-free-ranging Colony of Mandrillus sphinx . Int J Primatol 28, 1345–1362 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-007-9225-6

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