Transmission Patterns of Pinworms in Two Sympatric Congeneric Primate Species

摘要: Understanding pathogen transmission is essential to addressing the dynamics of infectious diseases in animal populations. Directly transmitted parasites spread host populations via 1) contact with infected individuals and 2) contaminated substrates. Although studies exist that support social or ranging effects on transmission, it less clear how these factors interact. We test hypothesis a combination social, ranging, diet, intrinsic account for Trypanoxyuris minutus (pinworm) infections sympatric howler species Alouatta palliata A. pigra. collected 211 fecal samples from 34 adults living four groups, two each species, Tabasco (Mexico), calculated pinworm prevalence eggs per gram feces (EPG). followed group 80 h determine frequency contact, conspecific proximity. Prevalence Trypanoxyurisminutus was high, 82% all infected. Logistic modeling indicated positively associated proximity proportion members contacted by focal individuals. EPG results should be interpreted cautiously owing variable egg excretion, this index also were contacted, as well dietary diversity use non-tree foods. Neither such sex, nor population level variables, home range size, overlap, intensity use, significant predictors infection. conclude both sociality feeding behavior are key infection pigra, confirming conspecifics substrates important mechanisms directly parasites.