Title
Forest fragmentation, the decline of an endangered primate, and changes in host-parasite interactions relative to an unfragmented forest
Author(s)
Gillespie T.R., Chapman C.A.
Published
2008
Publisher
American Journal of Primatology
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20475
Abstract
Forest fragmentation may alter host-parasite interactions in ways that contribute to host population declines. We tested this prediction by examining parasite infections and the abundance of infective helminths in 20 forest fragments and in unfragmented forest in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Over 4 years, the endangered red colobus (Procolobus rufomitratus) declined by 20% in fragments, whereas the black-and-white colobus (Colobus guereza) in fragments and populations of both colobines in unfragmented forest remained relatively stable. Seven nematodes (Strongyloides fulleborni, Strongyloides stercoralis, Oesophagostomum sp., an unidentified strongyle, Trichuris sp., Ascaris sp., and Colobenterobius sp.), one cestode (Bertiella sp.), and three protozoans (Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, and Giardia sp.) were detected. Infection prevalence and the magnitude of multiple infections were greater for red colobus in fragmented than in unfragmented forest, but these parameters did not differ between forests for black-and-white colobus. Infective-stage colobus parasites occurred at higher densities in fragmented compared with unfragmented forest, demonstrating greater infection risk for fragmented populations. There was little evidence that the nature of the infection was related to the size of the fragment, the density of the host, or the nature of the infection in the other colobine, despite the fact that many of the parasites are considered generalists. This study suggests that forest fragmentation can alter host-parasite dynamics and demonstrates that such changes can correspond with changes in host population size in forest fragments. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Keywords
abundance; comparative study; disease prevalence; endangered species; environmental disturbance; habitat fragmentation; health risk; host-parasite interaction; infectious disease; national park; nematode; population decline; population size; prediction; protozoan; species richness; testing method; animal; animal disease; animal parasitosis; article; Colobinae; environmental protection; feces; female; gastrointestinal disease; helminth; host parasite interaction; isolation and purification; male; monkey disease; parasitology; physiology; population density; population dynamics; prevalence; risk factor; Sarcomastigophora; tree; Uganda; Animals; Colobus; Conservation of Natural Resources; Feces; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Helminths; Host-Parasite Interactions; Male; Monkey Diseases; Parasitic Diseases, Animal; Population Density; Population Dynamics; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sarcomastigophora; Trees; Uganda; Africa; East Africa; Kibale National Park; Sub-Saharan Africa; Uganda; Western Province [Uganda]; Ascaris; Ascaris sp.; Bertiella; Cestoda; Colobenterobius; Colobinae; Colobus; Colobus guereza; Entamoeba; Entamoeba coli; Giardia; Giardia sp.; Nematoda; Oesophagostomum; Primates; Procolobus badius; Procolobus rufomitratus; Protozoa; Strongyloidea; Strongyloides; Strongyloides fuelleborni; Strongyloides stercoralis; Trichuris; Vermes

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