Diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in seven non-human primates of the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire

A comprehensive survey of gastrointestinal parasites in seven non-human primate species within Côte d'Ivoire's Taï National Park reveals high diversity and prevalence, with 23 parasite species identified. Species such as Cercopithecus diana, C. petaurista, Cercocebus atys, and C. campbelli exhibited greater parasite richness and more equitable distribution compared to others. The study, the first of its kind for these primate taxa in Taï National Park, employed microscopic examination techniques—direct wet mount, formalin-ethyl acetate concentration, and MIF (merthiolate, iodine, formalin) concentration—to analyze 3142 stool samples collected between 2009 and 2010. Findings underscore the complex parasitic dynamics in these primate populations, providing critical baseline data for future conservation and health monitoring efforts.

Kouassi, R. Y. W., McGraw, S. W., Yao, P. K., Abou-Bacar, A., Brunet, J., Pesson, B., Bonfoh, B., N’goran, E. K., & Candolfi, E. (2015). Diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in seven non-human primates of the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. Parasite, 22, 1. https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2015001