A Coprological Survey of Protozoan and Nematode Parasites of Free-Ranging Chacma Baboons (Papio ursinus) in the Southwestern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

This study provides data on gastrointestinal parasite infections in the geographically isolated and locally fragmented Cape Peninsula baboon population and two troops from neighbouring populations in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. We obtained data on parasite diversity and prevalence from 616 faecal samples collected from over 350 individuals in eight troops between July 2006 and May 2008. We processed faecal samples using a modified formalin-ether sedimentation technique and identified nematode eggs and protozoan cysts. We recovered seven nematode genera (Trichuris sp., Oesophagostomum sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Physaloptera sp., Ascaris sp., an unidentified hookworm morphotype, and an unidentified spirurid) and eight protozoan species (Balantidium coli, Entamoeba coli, E. histolytica/dispar, E. chattoni, E. hartmanni, lodamoeba butschlii, Endolimax nana and Chilomastix mesnili). The nematode and protozoan fauna of the Cape Peninsula baboon population was similar to both neighbouring and geogra...