Title
Comparison of gastrointestinal parasite communities in vervet monkeys
Author(s)
Valenta, Kim;Twinomugisha, Dennis;Godfey, Kathleen;Liu, Cynthia;Schoof, Valérie A. M.;Goldberg, Tony L.;Chapman, Colin A.
Published
2017
Publisher
Integrative Zoology
Abstract
Parasitism is fundamentally linked to the environment and the condition of the host (Holt et al. 2003; Nunn & Altizer 2006). For example, the number of parasite eggs in the environment is lower in hot, dry months compared to wetter months, and increased environmental moisture is positively related to prevalence and intensity of infections (Appleton & Henzi 1993; Appleton & Brain 1995; Larsen & Roepstorff 1999; Chapman et al. 2010; Chapman et al. 2015). Environmental conditions also affect the host, altering susceptibility to parasite infections. Marginal environmental conditions can cause physiological stress, and chronic stress can suppress the immune system leading to greater risk of infections (Black 1994; Coe & Erickson 1997; Padgett & Glaser 2003). For example, in free ranging chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), stress hormone levels and gastrointestinal and lung helminths counts were found to co-vary throughout the year (Hoby et al. 2006). Similarly, primates experiencing chronically elevated stress and depressed immune function have increased parasite burden and are at a higher risk of acquiring parasites than those that experience less stress (Muehlenbein 2006; Chapman et al. 2015). Such host-parasite-environment linkages mean that when people cause environmental change it can have cascading effects on parasitism and the health of nonhuman hosts in those environments. The effects on wild animals living in habitats modified by humans are complex. However, given current trends in forest loss, cropland expansion, and human population growth (Foley et al. 2011; Balmford, Green & Phalan 2012; Estrada 2013; Hansen et al. 2013; Phalan et al. 2013), it is reasonable to expect increasing effects of environmental change on wildlife, including changes in the nature of parasite infection.

Access Full Text

A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.



Back

PUB22855