Altitude and human disturbance are associated with helminth diversity in an endangered primate, Procolobus gordonorum.

ABSTRACT: Gastrointestinal parasites colonizing the mammalian gut influence the host immune system and health. Parasite infections, mainly helminths, have been studied intensively in both humans and non-human animals, but relatively rarely within a conservation framework. The Udzungwa red colobus monkey (Procolobus gordonorum) is an endangered endemic primate species living in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania, a global biodiversity hotspot. Since this endemic primate species is highly sensitive to human disturbance, here we investigate whether habitat type (driven by natural and human-induced factors) is associated with helminth diversity. Using standard flotation and sedimentation techniques, we analyzed 251 fecal samples belonging to 25 social groups from four different forest blocks within the

SUBMITTER: Barelli C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6892551 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature