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IPS Conference 2006
Abstracts
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Abstract # 59:
Scheduled for Monday,
June 26, 2006
04:50 PM-05:10 PM:
Session 10 (Kama A)
Paper Session
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ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CHIMPANZEE PARASITES IN GOMBE NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA |
J. S. Bakuza1,2,3 and G. Nkwengulila3
1Gombe Stream Research Centre, The Jane Goodall Institute - Tanzania, PO Box 1182, Kigoma, Tanzania, 2Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA, 3Department of Zoology and Marine Biology, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
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| Parasitic infections can affect chimpanzee health and influence their behavior. An understanding of parasite patterns and diversity can be a useful tool in controlling their transmission and thus contribute toward chimpanzee conservation. Fecal samples were collected from 30 chimpanzees in Gombe National Park and analyzed for gastrointestinal parasites. Standard microscopy methods for the detection and identification of parasites were used. Direct smear was used to detect protozoan trophozoites while the formal-ethyl acetate concentration method was applied to recover helminth eggs and larvae and protozoan cysts. Parasites were identified based on egg/cyst morphology and size and by use of helminthological and protozoan keys. Mean parasite prevalence and intensity was related to chimpanzee age, reproductive status, social rank and group membership and analyzed using Student t-test and ANOVA. Temporal changes in parasitic infections were assessed between rainy and dry seasons. Diagnostic findings were related to clinical signs of each individual sampled. A set of each sample was frozen at -8°C for molecular analysis to enhance parasite detection and identification. Parasitological findings were analyzed to establish the variation in prevalence and intensity of infection due to habitat differences, social and age structure of individuals. Knowledge from this study will assist in the monitoring of chimpanzee health in Gombe and facilitate the efforts to minimize inter-species disease exchange in the park. |
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Modified: 18 December 2005
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