Heterogeneity in patterns of helminth infections across populations of mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei).

ABSTRACT: Conservation efforts have led to the recovery of the endangered mountain gorilla populations. Due to their limited potential for spatial expansion, population densities increased, which may alter the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Recently, clinical gastrointestinal illnesses linked to helminth infections have been recorded in both gorilla populations. To understand drivers and patterns of helminth infections we quantified strongylid and tapeworm infections across both Virunga Massif and Bwindi populations using fecal egg counts. We assessed the impact of age, sex, group size, season and spatial differences used as a proxy, which reflects observed variation in the occurrence of gastrointestinal problems, vegetation types, gorilla subpopulation growth and associated social structure o

SUBMITTER: Petrzelkova KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8149636 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature