The influence of ecotourism on the gastrointestinal parasites of golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana)

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  • College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology

Online published: 2017-02-17

Abstract

Non-human primates contacted by humans or disturbed by humans cause unbalance between gastrointestinal parasites and the host, resulting in gastrointestinal parasites infection, which further increases species and load. To identify if eco-tourism influences gastrointestinal parasites species and load, we screened fecal samples from one provisioned group and wild-foraging groups of golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Shennongjia national nature reserve, China. We found 5 gastrointestinal parasites: Amoeba, Trichuris sp., Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis and Hookworms by formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation. The results showed that the load of Amoeba and Enterobius vermicularis in the provisioned group is significant higher than those in the wild-foraging groups, while there is no significant difference in load of roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) although they are also found in both groups. Hookworms and whipworm (Trichuris sp.) only are recognized in the provisioned group. The addition of two species and high load of some parasites in the provisioned group is due to direct or indirectcontact by non-human primates with humans (ecological tourism, etc.).

Cite this article

ZHANG Bo, YE Pingjing, LU Lang, YAO Hui, YANG Wanji, QIN Jianyong, XIANG Zuofu . The influence of ecotourism on the gastrointestinal parasites of golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana)[J]. ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA, 2017 , 37(1) : 66 -77 . DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.201701005

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