The Effects of Parasites on a Free-ranging Howler Monkey Population in Panama

将在巴拿马的巴罗科罗拉多岛进行一项关于寄生虫对吼猴影响的试点调查。寄生虫对非人灵长类动物自然种群的影响和生物学代价尚不清楚，这个众所周知的、已习惯的岛屿种群是一个很好的初步研究选择。这个跨学科小组将调查两种特定的寄生虫。将记录吼猴蝇幼虫的病理和侵染率，以及吼猴疟原虫（巴西疟原虫）的病理和侵染率。此外，还将尝试确定环境压力（气候、营养等）对侵染率的影响。

A pilot investigation of the effects of parasites on howler monkeys on Barro Colorado Island, Panama will be conducted. The effects and biological costs of parasites on natural populations of nonhuman primates are poorly known and this well-known, habituated island population is a good choice for an initial study. Two specific parasites will be investigated by this inter-disciplinary team. The pathology and infestation rates for the howler monkey bot fly larvae will be documented as will those for the howler malarial parasite (Plasmodium brazilianum). Additionally, there will be an attempt to determine the effects of environmental stress (climatic, nutritional etc) on infestation rates.