ISSN:
1573-8604
Keywords:
Papio cynocephalus ursinus
;
parasitism
;
food shortage
;
diet
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract We compared the gastrointestinal parasites of the baboon,Papio cynocephalus ursinus, living in montane (altitude, 〉1800 m) and coastal lowland (altitude, 100–200 m) habitats in Natal, South Africa, using fecal analysis. While the montane animals harbored a smaller number of species, helminth egg-output rates were higher in them than in the lowland animals. The decrease in parasite diversity with increasing altitude was expected, but the difference in helminth egg output was not. It may be due to a combination of food shortage, which characterizes the montane environment, especially at the end of winter, and the high proportion of soil-contaminated items in the diets of the montane animals.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02215451
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