Ecology of Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus Patas) in Buffer Zone Ranges, Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

The buffer zones of Nigerian protected areas are poorly managed. Patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) was studied in fact owing to its dearth of information on its ecology and existence in South-West Nigeria National Park. Therefore, it was necessary to examine E. patas spatial distribution and population structure in the Old Oyo National Park buffer zone ranges, situated in South-West Nigeria and as well know its dietary uptake alongside delineating its various activities. Observations were positioned on direct census methods. A total of 60 individuals of E. patas (23 female, 21 male, and 16 young individuals) were sighted within the study period (March to July). The results showed that the highest number of sighted E. patas (18 individuals) was recorded in the month of March while the Marguba range had the highest percentage of sighted E. patas (31.7%). Thirteen plant species were identified as food matters of E. patas while the major activity observed by the majority of E. patas was found feeding on the identified food matters. The food matters consumed were plant parts which included the leaves, flowers, gum, enflamed spikes, and fruits. Actions to uphold and guard the remaining populace of E. patas in the Park and buffer zones should be adequately fortified.

Prevalence and morphotype diversity of Trichuris species and other soil-transmitted helminths in captive non-human primates in northern Nigeria

A study to determine the prevalence and morphotype diversity of soil-transmitted helminths in captive non-human primates (NHPs) in northern Nigeria was conducted. Simple flotation and sedimentation methods were used to examine fecal samples. A Morphometric analysis was done on Trichuris spp. eggs to determine the diversity of whipworm circulating in NHPs in the study area. High prevalence (60%) of infection was recorded in captive NHPs; Patas Monkey (n=17), Tantalus Monkey (n=9), Mona Monkey (n=7), Vervet Monkey (n=2), Mangabey Monkey (n=1), Baboon (n=14), and Chimpanzee (n=8) from parks and zoological gardens located in four Nigerian states (Borno, Gombe, Kano, and Plateau) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Captive NHPs examined were infected with helminths either as single, double or triple infections. Four zoonotic soil transmitted helminth (STH) genera, Trichuris, Strongyloides, Ancylostoma, and Enterobius were detected in the examined animals. Eggs of Trichuris spp. were the most prevalent with four morphotypes suggesting several morphotypes of whipworm were circulating among the NHPs in this region. Further studies are required to elucidate the epidemiologic and public health implications of these findings.

In vitro trypanocidal effect of sera from Erythrocebus patas (Red Patas monkey) and Chlorocebus tantalus (Tantalus monkey) on Trypanosoma brucei brucei Plimmer & Bradford, 1899 and Trypanosoma congolense Broden, 1894

ABSTRACTAnti-Trypanosoma brucei brucei and anti-Trypanosoma congolense activities of sera from two species of uninfected zoo-primates, Erythrocebus patas (red patas monkey) and Chlorocebus tantalus (tantalus monkey) were investigated. The sera were screened using thick films and haematocrit centrifugation technique (HCT), to ensure that the donor primates were not infected with trypanosomes. Trypanosoma brucei brucei (Federe strain) and Trypanosoma congolense were suspended in supplemented RPMI (Rossvelt Park Memorial Institute) 1640 medium and the motility of the parasite was used as index of viability after the addition of each test serum. The selected primate sera exhibited some degree of anti-Trypanosoma brucei brucei activities in vitro. Red patas monkey serum had an inhibition index of 0.27, while that of Tantalus monkey was 0.34, against Trypanosoma brucei brucei, with mean survival times of 22.00±1.73 hours for red patas monkey serum and 19.67±0.58 hours for tantalus monkey serum, which are significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of the control (30.00±0.00 hours). The selected primate sera had pronounced inhibitory activities against Trypanosoma congolense. Sera from the two species of primate had very high anti-Trypanosoma congolense activity showing an inhibition index of 0.91 for Red patas monkey serum and 0.90 for Tantalus monkey serum, with marked and significant reduction (P<0.05) in survival time of 7.00±1.73 hours in Red patas monkey serum and 7.67±0.58 hours in Tantalus monkey serum, compared with the control (74.00±1.00 hours). The in vitro anti-trypanosomal activity of the serum samples was shown to be cidal in nature. The activity was not associated with xanthine oxidase. This study revealed that sera from red patas monkey and tantalus monkey had a moderate anti-Trypanosoma brucei brucei activity and a very high anti-Trypanosoma congolense activity in vitro suggesting the presence of some non-specific materials.Authors’ SummaryThe mechanisms that allow trypanosomiasis-resistant animals to control blood trypanosomes are being investigated, to identify non-specific factors that kill trypanosomes or limit their proliferation, contributing to host resistance. For instance, xanthine oxidase has been isolated and identified as the protein that kills trypanosomes in Cape buffalo. Humans and several other primates are also known to be resistant to infection by several animal-specific trypanosome species. In this study, sera from some zoo primates, red patas monkey and tantalus monkey, tested on Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Trypanosoma congolense in vitro, showed a slight anti-Trypanosoma brucei brucei activity and a very high anti-Trypanosoma congolense activity. These activities were shown to be cidal in nature and not associated with the protein xanthine oxidase. The authors suggest that non-specific factors other than the enzyme xanthine oxidase might have accounted for the sera anti-trypanosomal activities.

Encounter rates and group sizes of diurnal primate species of Mole National Park, Ghana

Primate species are not widely explored in Ghana’s savannah ecosystems. We report data on encounter rates and group sizes of primates at the Mole National Park in Ghana. Forty transects, each of 5km length, were randomly laid in the park for the study. Four species of primates were visually recorded during field surveys: Olive Baboon Papio anubis, Patas Monkey Erythrocebus patas, Green Monkey Chlorocebus sabaeus and Colobus vellerosus. The status of C. vellerosus is Critically Endangered, the status of the other species is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List. Encounter rates (groups/km) were 0.98, 0.65 and 0.45 for Olive Baboons, Patas Monkeys and Green Monkeys respectively. The mean group sizes were: Olive Baboon 10.8 (SE=1.1, range=1-38), Patas Monkey 12.2 (SE=3.3, range=1-35), and Green Monkey 10.0 (SE=1.9, range=1-25). Only one group of White-thighed Colobus with a group size of six was encountered. Encounter rates and group sizes of the same species varied in different parts of the park, and factors such as resource distribution and security against secret hunting may have influenced this variation. Authors recommend further studies to facilitate better understanding of these primates.

Intravascular T-cell lymphoma in a patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas)

A 9-year-old female captive patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) presented with poor general condition, inability to stand, petechiae, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukocytosis. Due to poor response to treatment, the animal was euthanized 16 days later. Postmortem examination revealed hemorrhages in several organs and bilateral cerebral infarctions. Histologically, prominent accumulations of large neoplastic lymphocytes in cerebral and meningeal blood vessels were demonstrated within the lesions and in other organs (e.g., bone marrow, ovary, intestine). Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells expressed CD3 and Ki-67. PCR revealed a lymphocryptovirus (LCV) infection, while Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) could not be demonstrated within neoplastic cells by means of immunohistochemistry. Based on the pathological findings, an intravascular lymphoma (IVL) of T-cell origin was diagnosed. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on this rare entity in a nonhuman primate.