A survey of entodiniomorphid ciliates in chimpanzees and bonobos

0331538 - ÚBO 2011 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Pomajbíková, K. - Petrželková, Klára Judita - Profousová, Ilona - Petrášová, Jana - Kišidayová, S. - Váradyová, Z. - Modrý, David
A survey of entodiniomorphid ciliates in chimpanzees and bonobos.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology. Roč. 142, č. 1 (2010), s. 42-48. ISSN 0002-9483. E-ISSN 1096-8644
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA524/06/0264; GA AV ČR KJB600930615; GA MŠMT MEB080890
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60930519; CEZ:AV0Z60220518
Keywords : Troglodytella abrassarti * entodiniomorphids * Pan troglodytes * Pan paniscus * captivity
Subject RIV: EG - Zoology
Impact factor: 2.693, year: 2010

We studied entodiniomorphid ciliates in 23 captive groups of chimpanzees, three groups of captive bonobos and six populations of wild chimpanzees. Fecal samples were examined using Sheather's flotation and Merthiolate-Iodine-Formaldehyde Concentration (MIFC) methods. Ciliates of genus Troglodytella were detected in 13 groups of captive chimpanzees, two groups of bonobos and in all wild chimpanzee populations studied. The absence of entodiniomorphids in some captive groups might be because of the extensive administration of chemotherapeutics in the past or a side-effect of the causative or prophylactic administration of antiparasitic or antibiotic drugs. The infection intensities of ciliates in captive chimpanzees were higher than in wild ones. We suppose that the over-supply of starch, typical in captive primate diets, might induce an increase in the number of ciliates. In vitro studies on metabolism and biochemical activities of entodiniomorphids are needed to clarify their role in ape digestion.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0177031