Parasites and Natural Antiparasitics in Orangutans
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2012 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Parasitic infections can have a serious impact on the health of a host and endangered primate species are no exception. The genus Pongo (P. pygmaeus, P. abelii) is parasitized by numerous species of several genera (Nematoda 15; Cestoda 1; Trematoda 3; Acanthocephala 1; Protozoa 10). Only limited information is available regarding orang-utan parasites in general and studies focusing on free-living orang-utans are even rarer still. Determination of parasites has usually been carried out using coprological techniques; determination of individual parasite species is only found in 3 articles (from 1877, 1891 and 1950). During our parasitological monitoring of wild and semi-wild orang-utans in Sumatra and Kalimantan we identified the following serious pathogens, based on species determination of individual parasites: 1. Mammomonogamus laryngeus (Syngamidae: Nematoda) – persistent infection with high pathogenity; three pinworm species (Enterobiinae): 2. Enterobius buckley – the first report from a native locality and a new host; 3. Pongobius hugoti - a new species with high abundance in the study location; 4. Protenterobius pongoi a new species; 5. Ascaris sp.; 6. Bertiella satyri – a tapeworm which is a rare parasite in orang-utans. We will present the first complete list of orangutan parasites in the wild and our progress in comparing the occurrence and diversity of parasites between wild and semi-wild orangutans along with an analysis of the factors influencing their occurrence and infection intensity. Secondly we will outline our progress in the identification of biologically active plant extracts, fractions and compounds with potential anti-parasitic or anti-inflammatory properties. The potentially critical importance of understanding these medical plants in the orangutan diet for the conservation of these endangered primates will be discussed. |
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