Gastrointestinal parasites of the colobus monkeys of Uganda.
From August 1997 to July 2003, we collected 2,103 fecal samples from free-ranging individuals of the 3 colobus monkey species of Uganda-the endangered red colobus (Piliocolobus tephrosceles), the eastern black-and-white colobus (Colobus guereza), and the Angolan black-and-white colobus (C. angolensis)--to identify and determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites. Helminth eggs, larvae, and protozoan cysts were isolated by sodium nitrate flotation and fecal sedimentation. Coprocultures facilitated identification of helminths. Seven nematodes (Strongyloides fulleborni, S. stercoralis, Oesophagostomum sp., an unidentified strongyle, Trichuris sp., Ascaris sp., and Colobenterobius sp.), 1 cestode (Bertiella sp.), 1 trematode (Dicrocoeliidae), and 3 protozoans (Entamoeba coli, E. histolytica, and Giardia lamblia) were detected. Seasonal patterns of infection were not apparent for any parasite species infecting colobus monkeys. Prevalence of S. fulleborni was higher in adult male compared to adult female red colobus, but prevalence did not differ for any other shared parasite species between age and sex classes.
Gillespie
Thomas R
TR
Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA. trg@uiuc.edu
Greiner
Ellis C
EC
Chapman
Colin A
CA
D000818:Animals; D003104:Colobus / Q000469:parasitology*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006374:Helminthiasis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D015995:Prevalence; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology