Coprological Surveys of Alouatta pigra at Two Sites in Belize

• DOI: 10.1007/s10764-005-9010-3
• Publication Date: 2006-03-17T16:19:38Z
• Authors: Katherine A. Eckert; Nina E. Hahn; Andrew Genz; Dawn M. Kitchen; Michael D. Stuart; Gary A. Averbeck; Bert E. Stromberg; Hal Markowitz
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; 3. Good health

Fecal samples were collected from black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) in north central Belize and analyzed for evidence of endoparasite life stages. At least six types of endoparasites were found in Alouatta pigra fecal samples collected in the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve and the Community Baboon Sanctuary in 1999. These include a digenean trematode, an oxyurid nematode, a strongyle-type nematode, an ascarid presumed to be Ascaris sp., Entamoeba coli and Iodamoeba butschlii. Higher trematode prevalence was found in adult Alouatta pigra compared to juveniles and higher prevalence of nematode larvae in all animals was found in the wet season compared to the dry season.