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Gastrointestinal parasites in critically endangered Tana River red colobus (Piliocolobus rufomitratus) living in agroecosystem and natural forest habitats

par Nieto Cisneros, Nina
Promoteur Barelli, Claudia
Co-Promoteur Kivai, Stanislaus
Publication Non publié, 2024-08-29

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Résumé :

The Tana River red colobus (Piliocolobus rufomitratus) is a critically endangered arborealprimate, endemic to Kenya, and known to reside within the riverine forest of the lower TanaRiver. Unfortunately, this region confronts extensive habitat change and fragmentation due toagricultural expansion, posing a threat to the survival of this species. The lower Tana Riverforest is heavily fragmented due to natural river dynamics, as well as anthropogenic impactspreviously mentioned. While primates may be vulnerable to parasitic infections, parasites canalso offer valuable insights into ecosystem health and play important roles in maintaininghealthy ecosystems. To observe the effects of agricultural encroachment on the Tana Riverred colobus, a total of 97 fecal samples were collected from populations in both natural foresthabitats within the Tana River Primate National Reserve (TRPNR) and agroecosystemhabitats in the lower Tana River forest. Samples were processed using both sedimentationand floatation techniques, and analyzed under a light microscope for gastrointestinalparasites. Factors as age, sex, group density, and poly-specific associations were alsoincorporated into the analyses. Overall, few individuals resulted infected by the sevendifferent parasite taxa detected, with some (i.e. Trichuris sp.) being more frequentlyrepresented than others. Relationships with gastrointestinal parasite richness and prevalencewere identified and explored, offering insights into how anthropogenic disturbance mayinfluence primate-parasite dynamics.