The influence of human settlements on the parasite community in two species of Peruvian tamarin

Parasitology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (4) ◽  
pp. 675-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. WENZ ◽  
E. W. HEYMANN ◽  
T. N. PETNEY ◽  
H. F. TARASCHEWSKI
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Biology ◽  
Ascaris Lumbricoides ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Parasite Community ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Human Settlement ◽  
Saguinus Mystax ◽  
Saguinus Fuscicollis ◽  
Frequent Contact ◽  
Moustached Tamarin

SUMMARYAlthough there is a growing recognition that the transfer of diseases between humans and non-human primates can be of great significance for conservation biology, there have been only a few studies focusing on parasites. In this study, saddleback (Saguinus fuscicollis) and moustached tamarin (Saguinus mystax) from the rainforest of the Peruvian lowlands were used as models to determine helminth parasite associations between canopy-dwelling primate species and a nearby human settlement. The human population showed high prevalences of infestation with a number of nematodes, including Ascaris lumbricoides (88·9%), Trichuris trichiura (37%) and hookworms (55·6%). However, the ova of these geohelminths were not detectable in tamarin faeces. Thus, no direct parasite transfer from humans to non-human primates could be documented. However, tamarin groups with more frequent contact to humans and their facilities had significantly higher prevalences and egg output of Prosthenorchis elegans, an important primate pathogen, than a forest group. In contrast, a cestode was significantly more common with more egg output in sylvatic than in human-associated groups. Human alteration of the habitat is likely to play a major role in determining the occurrence, prevalence and intensity of helminth infestation of wild non-human primates.

Short-term post-dispersal fate of seeds defecated by two small primate species (Saguinus mystaxandSaguinus fuscicollis) in the Amazonian forest of Peru

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Culot ◽  
Marie-Claude Huynen ◽  
Paul Gérard ◽  
Eckhard W. Heymann
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Seed Fate ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Amazonian Forest ◽  
Saguinus Fuscicollis ◽  
High Quality Seed ◽  
Secondary Seed Dispersal

Abstract:Post-dispersal fate of seeds dispersed by large primates is well studied but little is known about this process in small frugivores like tamarins. This study in the Amazonian forest of Peru aimed at investigating if characteristics related to the defecation patterns of tamarins (Saguinus mystaxandSaguinus fuscicollis) affected short-term post-dispersal seed fate, through secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles and removal by seed predators. Data on dung beetle activity were based on direct observations of 49 defecations while seed fate was studied using semi-controlled experiments (N = 458 for secondary dispersal and N = 398 for predation). Tamarins produce small defecations with a low number of seeds. Thirty-five per cent of defecations were visited by an average of 1.5 dung beetles that usually transport the faeces as pellets. Twenty-four per cent of seeds were buried by beetles at a mean depth of 3.5 cm. With increasing quantities of faecal matter, the probability of secondary seed dispersal increased but not the depth of burial. Seed predation pressure was low (17.6%) after 4 d and higher in faeces ofS. mystaxthan in faeces ofS. fuscicollis. Despite their small size, tamarins could be considered as high-quality seed dispersers, with a potential role for forest regeneration.

Habitat heterogeneity as a local and regional-scale driver of primate assemblage structure in northernmost Brazilian Amazonia

2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 263-286
Author(s):  
José Ramon Gadelha ◽  
Éverton Renan de Andrade Melo ◽  
Maria Nazaré Domingos da Silva ◽  
Antonio Paulo da Silva Júnior ◽  
Bruno Karol Cordeiro Filgueiras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Heterogeneity ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Human Settlement ◽  
Human Settlements ◽  
Ateles Paniscus ◽  
Sapajus Apella ◽  
Habitat Generalist

We performed line transect surveys in two fishbone human settlements (defined as clearings cut through forests in a fishbone pattern, extending along secondary roads from a main road) in different vegetation types, as well as in one protected area. A total of 410 sightings of eight primate species were recorded in the three study areas. The mean total primate abundance was 3.28 groups/10 km walked, and there were significant differences between areas with different plant physiognomies. The abundance of the larger primate speciesAlouatta macconnelliandAteles paniscus(Atelidae) was higher in the dense ombrophilous forests of the Entre Rios human settlement, whereas those of all the other species were higher in the forest mosaics of the Novo Paraíso human settlement and Viruá National Park. The habitat generalistSapajus apellapresented the highest abundances in all the areas. No significant differences were detected in relative biomass between study areas. Additionally, no significant differences were detected in the overall abundances or relative biomasses of the hunted species (Sapajus apella,Alouatta macconnelli,Ateles paniscus, andChiropotes chiropotes) between study areas. Human impact has been recognized as shaping primate assemblages. However, in this study, primates were not part of the dietary repertoire of the non-Amazonian immigrants inhabiting the fishbone human settlements. Thus, although the primate assemblages varied considerably at the regional and local level, they were shaped by habitat heterogeneity, which allowed the competing species to coexist through habitat segregation.

scholarly journals The role of conservation biology in the New Millenium

1995 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 311 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.F. Recher
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Biology ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Natural World ◽  
The Third ◽  
The World

I officially take over as editor of Pacific Conservation Biology with the first issue of the third volume. Having the chance to write this editorial gives me an early opportunity to explain how I view the world and the role of conservation biologists in the coming millennium. It also gives me an opportunity to express my view of how I see the role of Pacific Conservation Biology in the struggle to conserve and protect the natural world from an expanding and all-consuming human population.

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