Role of Grooming in Reducing Tick Load in Wild Baboons (Papio cynocephalus).

ABSTRACT: Nonhuman primate species spend a conspicuous amount of time grooming during social interactions, a behavior that probably serves both social and health-related functions. While the social implications of grooming have been relatively well studied, less attention has been paid to the health benefits, especially the removal of ectoparasites, which may act as vectors in disease transmission. In this study, we examined the relationship between grooming behavior, tick load (number of ticks), and haemoprotozoan infection status in a population of wild free-ranging baboons (Papio cynocephalus). We found that the amount of grooming received was influenced by an individual's age, sex and dominance rank. The amount of grooming received, in turn, affected the tick load of an individual. Baboon

SUBMITTER: Akinyi MY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3961061 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature