monica carosi - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by monica carosi
Entomologia, 2014
The discovery of some specimens of a new first instar larval type in blister beetles, collected i... more The discovery of some specimens of a new first instar larval type in blister beetles, collected in Iran on Anthophora bees, confirms the existence of repetitive and parallel trends in morphological specialization to phoresy in distinct lineages of Meloidae and in particular in the subfamily Meloinae. The new Iranian larva, herein described and illustrated, shows several characters and a peculiar phoretic strategy that closely parallel that of the Meloe subgenus Lampromeloe, with similar modifications of the fronto-clypeal setae into strong lanceolate spines used to pierce the intersegmental membranes of the bees. Both parallel and shared derived evolution of these characters seem possible. The coexistence in this larva of characters in both primitive and derived state is of particular interest in order to analyse the different rates and trends of evolution of phoretic adaptations. A morphological comparison (SEM) of this new meloine larva (incertae sedis), tentatively assignable to ...
Globally, approximately 100,000 non-human primates are used for experimental research and testing... more Globally, approximately 100,000 non-human primates are used for experimental research and testing purposes each year. There are countless others held in captivity for breeding to become research subjects, housed in zoos and sanctuaries, or kept as 'pets'. Primatologists should be ambassadors for these animals. Our academic research, teaching and public engagement activities have the potential to positively impact the welfare of primates. I outline how our conceptualisation of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement-the basic principles underpinning humane science) have evolved for the better since their inception in 1959. Concurrently, perceptions and methods of welfare assessment have changed from the five freedoms, which are concerned with the absence of suffering, to the promotion of positive affective states over a lifetime. Against this backdrop, I argue that what matters is how primates 'feel' , and that the human community must work towards providing them with opportunities to thrive, optimising their wellbeing within research and financial constraints. Welfare must be considered 24/7 across the lifespan, especially given the critical effect of early life experiences on later resilience. The promotion of good welfare is the ethical responsibility of all who care for and study primates, whether in the wild or captivity; it is also fundamental for good science. My hope is that there will come a time, in the not so distant future, when primates are no longer used in regulated research and testing in laboratories.
Primate social groups have traditionally been described according to their social cohesion, with ... more Primate social groups have traditionally been described according to their social cohesion, with species classified as having either a cohesive or a fluid social system. In recent years this modal classification has come under scrutiny. It has been suggested that primate groups should instead be characterised by their relative degree of fission-fusion dynamics, which refers to the variation in spatial cohesion and individual group membership over time. Whilst the concept of fission-fusion dynamics has become generally accepted, its central framework has not been implemented. Rather than quantifying the degree of fission-fusion dynamics, this measure has been used anecdotally, with study groups being described as having either a low or a high degree of fission-fusion dynamics. Quantification of fission-fusion dynamics is crucial for making comparisons across populations and species. Here, we propose and explore two complementary methods for quantifying fission-fusion dynamics, using olive baboons (Papio anubis) as a case study. We collected data on party size, party composition, spatial cohesion, and inter-individual distances in two troops (Gamgam & Kwano) of wild olive baboons in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Nigeria, over a 12-month period. First, fission-fusion dynamics where quantified by the coefficient of variation for the measurements in party size, the rate of party composition change, and inter-individual distances of focal animals. Second, we fitted single and mixed distributions to the inter-individual distances as a measure of the degree of fragmentation. We found that the two methods gave us similar results, and the troops differed in their degree of fission-fusion dynamics. The Gamgam troop rarely fragmented and parties were often large. The Kwano troop, by contrast, frequently split into small parties that were relatively stable over time. These results indicate that fission-fusion dynamics can differ between troops within a single population.
Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic... more Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic disturbance and fragmentation of its habitat. Residual populations have a scattered distribution in the karst forests of south Sulawesi. Here the dissolution of limestone layers has created a multi-level landscape hardly accessible for ground predators and humans. In this study, we aimed to obtain better knowledge on the ecological flexibility of M. maura in the use of such a complex habitat, and its consequences on health status. Since all data published on M. maura were obtained from a single group (group B), an additional group (G) was habituated to human presence. We analysed 50 vegetation plots (10 × 20 metres) to discriminate structural features in terms of feeding options (e.g. key food species diversity, density and DBH) and anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. human trails and solid litter). We then correlated these data with habitat use and helminth infection. We collected 74 faecal samples from 18 different adult individuals belonging to both groups. Vegetation analysis suggested that there were 2 suitable habitats: a Ground Forest (e.g. higher abundance of key food species) and a Karst Tower Forest (e.g. lower presence of human trails and solid litter). Gastrointestinal investigation revealed a positive correlation between the prevalence of Trichuris sp. and time devoted to ground food-related activities in all individuals (Spearman correlation, rs = 0.665, p = 0.003). Moreover, behavioural data confirmed that group B, the larger study group of the area, spent most of its activity time in the Ground Forest (N group B = 33 ± 1; N group G = 18 ± 1; χ 2 = 134.30, d.f. = 1, p < 0.001). Since resource availability and predation risk can influence foraging decisions and, ultimately, space use, the "group size effect" might explain the significantly higher proportion of time spent by group B in the Ground Forest. Consequently, due to the Trichuris faecal-oral contamination life-cycle, the chance of infecting individuals based on their feeding habits might be described according to the "soil-transmitted helminthiasis hypothesis".
Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic... more Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic disturbance and fragmentation of its habitat. Residual populations have a scattered distribution in the karst forests of south Sulawesi. Here the dissolution of limestone layers has created a multi-level landscape hardly accessible for ground predators and humans. In this study, we aimed to obtain better knowledge on the ecological flexibility of M. maura in the use of such a complex habitat, and its consequences on health status. Since all data published on M. maura were obtained from a single group (group B), an additional group (G) was habituated to human presence. We analysed 50 vegetation plots (10 × 20 metres) to discriminate structural features in terms of feeding options (e.g. key food species diversity, density and DBH) and anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. human trails and solid litter). We then correlated these data with habitat use and helminth infection. We collected 74 faecal samples from 18 different adult individuals belonging to both groups. Vegetation analysis suggested that there were 2 suitable habitats: a Ground Forest (e.g. higher abundance of key food species) and a Karst Tower Forest (e.g. lower presence of human trails and solid litter). Gastrointestinal investigation revealed a positive correlation between the prevalence of Trichuris sp. and time devoted to ground food-related activities in all individuals (Spearman correlation, rs = 0.665, p = 0.003). Moreover, behavioural data confirmed that group B, the larger study group of the area, spent most of its activity time in the Ground Forest (N group B = 33 ± 1; N group G = 18 ± 1; χ 2 = 134.30, d.f. = 1, p < 0.001). Since resource availability and predation risk can influence foraging decisions and, ultimately, space use, the "group size effect" might explain the significantly higher proportion of time spent by group B in the Ground Forest. Consequently, due to the Trichuris faecal-oral contamination life-cycle, the chance of infecting individuals based on their feeding habits might be described according to the "soil-transmitted helminthiasis hypothesis".
Folia Primatologica, 2009
Oryx, May 19, 2023
Human-induced land-use change has resulted in substantial loss and degradation of habitat for for... more Human-induced land-use change has resulted in substantial loss and degradation of habitat for forestdwelling wildlife. The moor macaque Macaca maura, an Endangered primate endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been observed in a wide array of habitats, including heavily modified areas, but little is known about the quality of these habitats. Here we compared the habitat quality of two areas occupied by moor macaque populations: a previously human-modified karst forest now located within a national park and a heavily modified forest located in an unprotected area. We assessed habitat quality by measuring specific indicators of potential food availability derived from vegetation data and quantified the nutritional environment based on macronutrient analysis of fruit samples collected at the two sites. Although the species richness, diversity and overall stem density of macaque food trees were greater in the protected area forest, total basal area and mean diameter at breast height were greater in the heavily modified forest. Mean metabolizable energy concentrations of fruits eaten by macaques were similar between forests, as were the proportions of protein, lipids and total non-structural carbohydrates. These results provide further support for the notion that heavily modified habitats should not be overlooked for their potential conservation value. To further augment their value, conservation efforts should focus on forest restoration, specifically the planting of fast-growing species that are utilized by both wildlife and people.
Bollettino di zoologia, 1994
Folia Primatologica, 2017
Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic... more Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic disturbance and fragmentation of its habitat. Residual populations have a scattered distribution in the karst forests of south Sulawesi. Here the dissolution of limestone layers has created a multi-level landscape hardly accessible for ground predators and humans. In this study, we aimed to obtain better knowledge on the ecological flexibility of M. maura in the use of such a complex habitat, and its consequences on health status. Since all data published on M. maura were obtained from a single group (group B), an additional group (G) was habituated to human presence. We analysed 50 vegetation plots (10 × 20 metres) to discriminate structural features in terms of feeding options (e.g. key food species diversity, density and DBH) and anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. human trails and solid litter). We then correlated these data with habitat use and helminth infection. We collected 74 faecal samples from 18 different adult individuals belonging to both groups. Vegetation analysis suggested that there were 2 suitable habitats: a Ground Forest (e.g. higher abundance of key food species) and a Karst Tower Forest (e.g. lower presence of human trails and solid litter). Gastrointestinal investigation revealed a positive correlation between the prevalence of Trichuris sp. and time devoted to ground food-related activities in all individuals (Spearman correlation, rs = 0.665, p = 0.003). Moreover, behavioural data confirmed that group B, the larger study group of the area, spent most of its activity time in the Ground Forest (N group B = 33 ± 1; N group G = 18 ± 1; χ 2 = 134.30, d.f. = 1, p < 0.001). Since resource availability and predation risk can influence foraging decisions and, ultimately, space use, the "group size effect" might explain the significantly higher proportion of time spent by group B in the Ground Forest. Consequently, due to the Trichuris faecal-oral contamination life-cycle, the chance of infecting individuals based on their feeding habits might be described according to the "soil-transmitted helminthiasis hypothesis".
Animals
Scent-marking through odours from excreta and glandular secretions is widespread in mammals. Amon... more Scent-marking through odours from excreta and glandular secretions is widespread in mammals. Among primates, diurnal group-living lemurs show different deployment modalities as part of their strategy to increase signal detection. We studied the diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema) in the Maromizaha New Protected Area, Eastern Madagascar. We tested whether the scent-marking deposition occurred using a sequential rubbing of different body parts. We also tested if glands (i.e., deposition of glandular secretions) were more frequently rubbed than genital orifices (i.e., deposition of excreta) by comparing different kinds of rubbing behaviour. We then investigated if the depositor’s rank and sex affected the sequence of rubbing behaviour, the height at which the scent-marking happened, and the tree part targeted. We found that glandular secretions were often deposited with urine, especially in dominant individuals. The probability of anogenital and chest marking was highest, but chest r...
ZooKeys, Dec 12, 2014
A new species of Hycleus belonging to the phaleratus group, and close to H. phaleratus, is descri... more A new species of Hycleus belonging to the phaleratus group, and close to H. phaleratus, is described. The new species, Hycleus marcipoli, is distributed in China (Gansu and Taiwan), Laos, and northern Thailand. A key to the Chinese species of this group is presented.
Diversity
Nutria (or coypu, Myocastor coypus), is a semi-aquatic rodent that is native to South America and... more Nutria (or coypu, Myocastor coypus), is a semi-aquatic rodent that is native to South America and has been introduced almost all over the world since the end of the 19th century. In Europe, this rodent is considered an invasive species. In this report, we analyzed nutria fecal samples in a small coastal wetland of Central Italy, using different techniques (fresh smear, direct immunofluorescence, Baermann technique, flotation, ethyl acetate sedimentation) to obtain an arrangement of eukaryote endoparasites (Protozoa and Helminths) and compare them with data available in the literature for both Italy and worldwide. We recorded five taxa, with a dominant occurrence (>70%) of nematodes of the genus Strongyloides. Moreover, we reported for the first time in nutria a bronchopulmonary strongyle nematode (Muellerius vel. Angiostrongylus) and, for the first time in Italy, protozoans of the genus Cryptosporidium. Since nutria co-occurs with humans and domestic animals in the study area, we...
American Journal of Primatology, 1999
BMC Veterinary Research
Background To date, there is a scarcity of information and literature on Macaca maura health stat... more Background To date, there is a scarcity of information and literature on Macaca maura health status relative to viral diseases. The objectives of the present study were to investigate on the potential spread of enteric and non-enteric viruses shed in the environment through a wild macaque feces and to understand the possible interrelation in the spread of zoonotic viruses in a poorly studied geographical area, the Sulawesi Island. This study will also contribute providing useful information on potential threats to the health of this endangered species. Methods The sampling was conducted between 2014 and 2016 in the Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, in the south of the Sulawesi Island and non-invasive sampling methods were used to collect fresh stools of the M. maura, one of the seven macaque species endemic to the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The population under study consisted in two wild, neighboring social macaque groups with partially overlapping home ranges; twenty-four...
Folia Primatologica, 2017
Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic... more Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic disturbance and fragmentation of its habitat. Residual populations have a scattered distribution in the karst forests of south Sulawesi. Here the dissolution of limestone layers has created a multi-level landscape hardly accessible for ground predators and humans. In this study, we aimed to obtain better knowledge on the ecological flexibility of M. maura in the use of such a complex habitat, and its consequences on health status. Since all data published on M. maura were obtained from a single group (group B), an additional group (G) was habituated to human presence. We analysed 50 vegetation plots (10 × 20 metres) to discriminate structural features in terms of feeding options (e.g. key food species diversity, density and DBH) and anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. human trails and solid litter). We then correlated these data with habitat use and helminth infection. We collected 74 faecal samples from 18 different adult individuals belonging to both groups. Vegetation analysis suggested that there were 2 suitable habitats: a Ground Forest (e.g. higher abundance of key food species) and a Karst Tower Forest (e.g. lower presence of human trails and solid litter). Gastrointestinal investigation revealed a positive correlation between the prevalence of Trichuris sp. and time devoted to ground food-related activities in all individuals (Spearman correlation, rs = 0.665, p = 0.003). Moreover, behavioural data confirmed that group B, the larger study group of the area, spent most of its activity time in the Ground Forest (N group B = 33 ± 1; N group G = 18 ± 1; χ 2 = 134.30, d.f. = 1, p < 0.001). Since resource availability and predation risk can influence foraging decisions and, ultimately, space use, the "group size effect" might explain the significantly higher proportion of time spent by group B in the Ground Forest. Consequently, due to the Trichuris faecal-oral contamination life-cycle, the chance of infecting individuals based on their feeding habits might be described according to the "soil-transmitted helminthiasis hypothesis".
Folia Primatologica, 2015
Entomologia, 2014
The discovery of some specimens of a new first instar larval type in blister beetles, collected i... more The discovery of some specimens of a new first instar larval type in blister beetles, collected in Iran on Anthophora bees, confirms the existence of repetitive and parallel trends in morphological specialization to phoresy in distinct lineages of Meloidae and in particular in the subfamily Meloinae. The new Iranian larva, herein described and illustrated, shows several characters and a peculiar phoretic strategy that closely parallel that of the Meloe subgenus Lampromeloe, with similar modifications of the fronto-clypeal setae into strong lanceolate spines used to pierce the intersegmental membranes of the bees. Both parallel and shared derived evolution of these characters seem possible. The coexistence in this larva of characters in both primitive and derived state is of particular interest in order to analyse the different rates and trends of evolution of phoretic adaptations. A morphological comparison (SEM) of this new meloine larva (incertae sedis), tentatively assignable to ...
Globally, approximately 100,000 non-human primates are used for experimental research and testing... more Globally, approximately 100,000 non-human primates are used for experimental research and testing purposes each year. There are countless others held in captivity for breeding to become research subjects, housed in zoos and sanctuaries, or kept as 'pets'. Primatologists should be ambassadors for these animals. Our academic research, teaching and public engagement activities have the potential to positively impact the welfare of primates. I outline how our conceptualisation of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement-the basic principles underpinning humane science) have evolved for the better since their inception in 1959. Concurrently, perceptions and methods of welfare assessment have changed from the five freedoms, which are concerned with the absence of suffering, to the promotion of positive affective states over a lifetime. Against this backdrop, I argue that what matters is how primates 'feel' , and that the human community must work towards providing them with opportunities to thrive, optimising their wellbeing within research and financial constraints. Welfare must be considered 24/7 across the lifespan, especially given the critical effect of early life experiences on later resilience. The promotion of good welfare is the ethical responsibility of all who care for and study primates, whether in the wild or captivity; it is also fundamental for good science. My hope is that there will come a time, in the not so distant future, when primates are no longer used in regulated research and testing in laboratories.
Primate social groups have traditionally been described according to their social cohesion, with ... more Primate social groups have traditionally been described according to their social cohesion, with species classified as having either a cohesive or a fluid social system. In recent years this modal classification has come under scrutiny. It has been suggested that primate groups should instead be characterised by their relative degree of fission-fusion dynamics, which refers to the variation in spatial cohesion and individual group membership over time. Whilst the concept of fission-fusion dynamics has become generally accepted, its central framework has not been implemented. Rather than quantifying the degree of fission-fusion dynamics, this measure has been used anecdotally, with study groups being described as having either a low or a high degree of fission-fusion dynamics. Quantification of fission-fusion dynamics is crucial for making comparisons across populations and species. Here, we propose and explore two complementary methods for quantifying fission-fusion dynamics, using olive baboons (Papio anubis) as a case study. We collected data on party size, party composition, spatial cohesion, and inter-individual distances in two troops (Gamgam & Kwano) of wild olive baboons in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Nigeria, over a 12-month period. First, fission-fusion dynamics where quantified by the coefficient of variation for the measurements in party size, the rate of party composition change, and inter-individual distances of focal animals. Second, we fitted single and mixed distributions to the inter-individual distances as a measure of the degree of fragmentation. We found that the two methods gave us similar results, and the troops differed in their degree of fission-fusion dynamics. The Gamgam troop rarely fragmented and parties were often large. The Kwano troop, by contrast, frequently split into small parties that were relatively stable over time. These results indicate that fission-fusion dynamics can differ between troops within a single population.
Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic... more Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic disturbance and fragmentation of its habitat. Residual populations have a scattered distribution in the karst forests of south Sulawesi. Here the dissolution of limestone layers has created a multi-level landscape hardly accessible for ground predators and humans. In this study, we aimed to obtain better knowledge on the ecological flexibility of M. maura in the use of such a complex habitat, and its consequences on health status. Since all data published on M. maura were obtained from a single group (group B), an additional group (G) was habituated to human presence. We analysed 50 vegetation plots (10 × 20 metres) to discriminate structural features in terms of feeding options (e.g. key food species diversity, density and DBH) and anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. human trails and solid litter). We then correlated these data with habitat use and helminth infection. We collected 74 faecal samples from 18 different adult individuals belonging to both groups. Vegetation analysis suggested that there were 2 suitable habitats: a Ground Forest (e.g. higher abundance of key food species) and a Karst Tower Forest (e.g. lower presence of human trails and solid litter). Gastrointestinal investigation revealed a positive correlation between the prevalence of Trichuris sp. and time devoted to ground food-related activities in all individuals (Spearman correlation, rs = 0.665, p = 0.003). Moreover, behavioural data confirmed that group B, the larger study group of the area, spent most of its activity time in the Ground Forest (N group B = 33 ± 1; N group G = 18 ± 1; χ 2 = 134.30, d.f. = 1, p < 0.001). Since resource availability and predation risk can influence foraging decisions and, ultimately, space use, the "group size effect" might explain the significantly higher proportion of time spent by group B in the Ground Forest. Consequently, due to the Trichuris faecal-oral contamination life-cycle, the chance of infecting individuals based on their feeding habits might be described according to the "soil-transmitted helminthiasis hypothesis".
Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic... more Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic disturbance and fragmentation of its habitat. Residual populations have a scattered distribution in the karst forests of south Sulawesi. Here the dissolution of limestone layers has created a multi-level landscape hardly accessible for ground predators and humans. In this study, we aimed to obtain better knowledge on the ecological flexibility of M. maura in the use of such a complex habitat, and its consequences on health status. Since all data published on M. maura were obtained from a single group (group B), an additional group (G) was habituated to human presence. We analysed 50 vegetation plots (10 × 20 metres) to discriminate structural features in terms of feeding options (e.g. key food species diversity, density and DBH) and anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. human trails and solid litter). We then correlated these data with habitat use and helminth infection. We collected 74 faecal samples from 18 different adult individuals belonging to both groups. Vegetation analysis suggested that there were 2 suitable habitats: a Ground Forest (e.g. higher abundance of key food species) and a Karst Tower Forest (e.g. lower presence of human trails and solid litter). Gastrointestinal investigation revealed a positive correlation between the prevalence of Trichuris sp. and time devoted to ground food-related activities in all individuals (Spearman correlation, rs = 0.665, p = 0.003). Moreover, behavioural data confirmed that group B, the larger study group of the area, spent most of its activity time in the Ground Forest (N group B = 33 ± 1; N group G = 18 ± 1; χ 2 = 134.30, d.f. = 1, p < 0.001). Since resource availability and predation risk can influence foraging decisions and, ultimately, space use, the "group size effect" might explain the significantly higher proportion of time spent by group B in the Ground Forest. Consequently, due to the Trichuris faecal-oral contamination life-cycle, the chance of infecting individuals based on their feeding habits might be described according to the "soil-transmitted helminthiasis hypothesis".
Folia Primatologica, 2009
Oryx, May 19, 2023
Human-induced land-use change has resulted in substantial loss and degradation of habitat for for... more Human-induced land-use change has resulted in substantial loss and degradation of habitat for forestdwelling wildlife. The moor macaque Macaca maura, an Endangered primate endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been observed in a wide array of habitats, including heavily modified areas, but little is known about the quality of these habitats. Here we compared the habitat quality of two areas occupied by moor macaque populations: a previously human-modified karst forest now located within a national park and a heavily modified forest located in an unprotected area. We assessed habitat quality by measuring specific indicators of potential food availability derived from vegetation data and quantified the nutritional environment based on macronutrient analysis of fruit samples collected at the two sites. Although the species richness, diversity and overall stem density of macaque food trees were greater in the protected area forest, total basal area and mean diameter at breast height were greater in the heavily modified forest. Mean metabolizable energy concentrations of fruits eaten by macaques were similar between forests, as were the proportions of protein, lipids and total non-structural carbohydrates. These results provide further support for the notion that heavily modified habitats should not be overlooked for their potential conservation value. To further augment their value, conservation efforts should focus on forest restoration, specifically the planting of fast-growing species that are utilized by both wildlife and people.
Bollettino di zoologia, 1994
Folia Primatologica, 2017
Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic... more Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic disturbance and fragmentation of its habitat. Residual populations have a scattered distribution in the karst forests of south Sulawesi. Here the dissolution of limestone layers has created a multi-level landscape hardly accessible for ground predators and humans. In this study, we aimed to obtain better knowledge on the ecological flexibility of M. maura in the use of such a complex habitat, and its consequences on health status. Since all data published on M. maura were obtained from a single group (group B), an additional group (G) was habituated to human presence. We analysed 50 vegetation plots (10 × 20 metres) to discriminate structural features in terms of feeding options (e.g. key food species diversity, density and DBH) and anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. human trails and solid litter). We then correlated these data with habitat use and helminth infection. We collected 74 faecal samples from 18 different adult individuals belonging to both groups. Vegetation analysis suggested that there were 2 suitable habitats: a Ground Forest (e.g. higher abundance of key food species) and a Karst Tower Forest (e.g. lower presence of human trails and solid litter). Gastrointestinal investigation revealed a positive correlation between the prevalence of Trichuris sp. and time devoted to ground food-related activities in all individuals (Spearman correlation, rs = 0.665, p = 0.003). Moreover, behavioural data confirmed that group B, the larger study group of the area, spent most of its activity time in the Ground Forest (N group B = 33 ± 1; N group G = 18 ± 1; χ 2 = 134.30, d.f. = 1, p < 0.001). Since resource availability and predation risk can influence foraging decisions and, ultimately, space use, the "group size effect" might explain the significantly higher proportion of time spent by group B in the Ground Forest. Consequently, due to the Trichuris faecal-oral contamination life-cycle, the chance of infecting individuals based on their feeding habits might be described according to the "soil-transmitted helminthiasis hypothesis".
Animals
Scent-marking through odours from excreta and glandular secretions is widespread in mammals. Amon... more Scent-marking through odours from excreta and glandular secretions is widespread in mammals. Among primates, diurnal group-living lemurs show different deployment modalities as part of their strategy to increase signal detection. We studied the diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema) in the Maromizaha New Protected Area, Eastern Madagascar. We tested whether the scent-marking deposition occurred using a sequential rubbing of different body parts. We also tested if glands (i.e., deposition of glandular secretions) were more frequently rubbed than genital orifices (i.e., deposition of excreta) by comparing different kinds of rubbing behaviour. We then investigated if the depositor’s rank and sex affected the sequence of rubbing behaviour, the height at which the scent-marking happened, and the tree part targeted. We found that glandular secretions were often deposited with urine, especially in dominant individuals. The probability of anogenital and chest marking was highest, but chest r...
ZooKeys, Dec 12, 2014
A new species of Hycleus belonging to the phaleratus group, and close to H. phaleratus, is descri... more A new species of Hycleus belonging to the phaleratus group, and close to H. phaleratus, is described. The new species, Hycleus marcipoli, is distributed in China (Gansu and Taiwan), Laos, and northern Thailand. A key to the Chinese species of this group is presented.
Diversity
Nutria (or coypu, Myocastor coypus), is a semi-aquatic rodent that is native to South America and... more Nutria (or coypu, Myocastor coypus), is a semi-aquatic rodent that is native to South America and has been introduced almost all over the world since the end of the 19th century. In Europe, this rodent is considered an invasive species. In this report, we analyzed nutria fecal samples in a small coastal wetland of Central Italy, using different techniques (fresh smear, direct immunofluorescence, Baermann technique, flotation, ethyl acetate sedimentation) to obtain an arrangement of eukaryote endoparasites (Protozoa and Helminths) and compare them with data available in the literature for both Italy and worldwide. We recorded five taxa, with a dominant occurrence (>70%) of nematodes of the genus Strongyloides. Moreover, we reported for the first time in nutria a bronchopulmonary strongyle nematode (Muellerius vel. Angiostrongylus) and, for the first time in Italy, protozoans of the genus Cryptosporidium. Since nutria co-occurs with humans and domestic animals in the study area, we...
American Journal of Primatology, 1999
BMC Veterinary Research
Background To date, there is a scarcity of information and literature on Macaca maura health stat... more Background To date, there is a scarcity of information and literature on Macaca maura health status relative to viral diseases. The objectives of the present study were to investigate on the potential spread of enteric and non-enteric viruses shed in the environment through a wild macaque feces and to understand the possible interrelation in the spread of zoonotic viruses in a poorly studied geographical area, the Sulawesi Island. This study will also contribute providing useful information on potential threats to the health of this endangered species. Methods The sampling was conducted between 2014 and 2016 in the Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, in the south of the Sulawesi Island and non-invasive sampling methods were used to collect fresh stools of the M. maura, one of the seven macaque species endemic to the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The population under study consisted in two wild, neighboring social macaque groups with partially overlapping home ranges; twenty-four...
Folia Primatologica, 2017
Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic... more Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic disturbance and fragmentation of its habitat. Residual populations have a scattered distribution in the karst forests of south Sulawesi. Here the dissolution of limestone layers has created a multi-level landscape hardly accessible for ground predators and humans. In this study, we aimed to obtain better knowledge on the ecological flexibility of M. maura in the use of such a complex habitat, and its consequences on health status. Since all data published on M. maura were obtained from a single group (group B), an additional group (G) was habituated to human presence. We analysed 50 vegetation plots (10 × 20 metres) to discriminate structural features in terms of feeding options (e.g. key food species diversity, density and DBH) and anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. human trails and solid litter). We then correlated these data with habitat use and helminth infection. We collected 74 faecal samples from 18 different adult individuals belonging to both groups. Vegetation analysis suggested that there were 2 suitable habitats: a Ground Forest (e.g. higher abundance of key food species) and a Karst Tower Forest (e.g. lower presence of human trails and solid litter). Gastrointestinal investigation revealed a positive correlation between the prevalence of Trichuris sp. and time devoted to ground food-related activities in all individuals (Spearman correlation, rs = 0.665, p = 0.003). Moreover, behavioural data confirmed that group B, the larger study group of the area, spent most of its activity time in the Ground Forest (N group B = 33 ± 1; N group G = 18 ± 1; χ 2 = 134.30, d.f. = 1, p < 0.001). Since resource availability and predation risk can influence foraging decisions and, ultimately, space use, the "group size effect" might explain the significantly higher proportion of time spent by group B in the Ground Forest. Consequently, due to the Trichuris faecal-oral contamination life-cycle, the chance of infecting individuals based on their feeding habits might be described according to the "soil-transmitted helminthiasis hypothesis".
Folia Primatologica, 2015