Gastrointestinal parasites of free-ranging primates in Bako National Park, Sarawak

A total of 55 fecal samples were collected from three species of free-ranging primates in Bako National Park, Sarawak, which are Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), Silvered-leaf-monkey (Trachypithecus cristatus), and Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis). The aim of this study was to identify...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Nur Hidayah, Binti Ahmad Khairi
Format: Final Year Project Report / IMRAD
Language:English
Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, (UNIMAS) 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/8191/
http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/8191/8/Gastrointestinal%20Parasites%20of%20Free-Ringing%20Primates%20in%20Bako%20National%20Park%2C%20Sarawak%20%28full%29.pdf
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Summary:A total of 55 fecal samples were collected from three species of free-ranging primates in Bako National Park, Sarawak, which are Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), Silvered-leaf-monkey (Trachypithecus cristatus), and Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis). The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites. The results from gastrointestinal parasites counts were compared to see the differences between primates. Helminth eggs and cysts were isolated by using flotation technique. Results revealed the presence of five nematodes from Trichuris sp., Oesophagostomum sp., Strongyloides sp., Ascaris lumbricoides, and Enterobius vermiculus, one cestode from Hymenolepis nana, and one trematode of an unidentified fluke. No protozoan parasite has been identified. Comparison showed that Trichuris sp. (76%) had the highest prevalence in N. larvatus, while T. cristatus had higher prevalence in Oesophagostomum sp. (52%), H. nana (32%), and unidentified fluke (56%). This study also proved that T. cristatus has the highest richness and multiple infections of gastrointestinal parasites.