A Survey on Nasalis larvatus (Proboscis Monkey) Diet, and Their Associated Endoparasites

Ng, Kar Hon (2014) A Survey on Nasalis larvatus (Proboscis Monkey) Diet, and Their Associated Endoparasites. [Final Year Project Report] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Non-human primates are the natural hosts for a variety of endoparasites. Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) is endemic to Borneo. They are folivore and/or frugivore. This study aimed to do a preliminary investigation on the diversity of ente_ric macroparasites in the proboscis monkey at Bako National Park (NP), Sarawak. Fresh fecal samples were collected while the vegetation plots (115 m x 10 m) in both the mixed dipterocarp forest (MDF) and mangrove feeding sites were observed. Samplings were done twice at Bako NP during the non-fruiting season (August, 2013) and fruiting season (January, 2014). The proboscis monkey diet is selected based on the availability of food sources in the feeding sites. The enteric macroparasites were detected with 15 genus from six different classes, including Entamoeba sp., lodamoeba sp., Balantidium sp., Cryptosporidium sp., Chilomastix sp., Retortamonas sp., Hymenolepsis sp., Bertiella sp., Enterobius sp., Ascaris sp., Trichuris sp., Strongyloides sp., Ancylostoma sp., Chiorchis sp. and Fasciola sp.. The prevalence of enteric macroparasites were determined with Entamoeba sp. as the most common species for both the seasons. Strongyloides sp. and Ancylostoma sp. were the least common species during the non-fruiting and fruiting seasons, respectively. There is no significant differences of the numbers of enteric macroparasites detected from this monkeys for both the seasons. The macroparasites for both the season were associated with the diet of this monkeys determined through chi-square test. The insights on the macroparasites abundance and prevalence are necessary for the conservation of proboscis monkeys and for future references of the possible risk enteric macroparasite infection and diseases.

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