Parasites and Commensals of Chimpanzees Captured in Sierra Leone, West Africa

298 PROCEEDINGS OF THE HELMINTHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Research Note Parasites and Commensals of Chimpanzees Captured in Sierra Leone, West Africa

Rather extensive use of nonhuman primates Lab. Animal Care 16: 360-363). The present in the many disciplines of biomedical research brief report is based upon an examination of in the past few years has stimulated an interest feces and several ectoparasites obtained by one in the parasitology of these mammals. In of us (J.A.K.) from 110 chimpanzees shortly endemic areas, the parasites of primates have after capture in Sierra Leone. Fecal samples been studied for varied purposes. At times were collected from cages after hosts were these have been related to specific parasites brought to a central processing facility sub- and parasitic diseases. Attention also has been sequent to capture by indigenous collectors. aroused as studies on larger numbers of animals Table 1 indicates organisms recorded after in different geographic areas have indicated study of formalin fixed fecal samples (direct/ that these mammals are parasitized by species concentration) shipped to San Antonio. Since closely related to those found in man, and in experience in primatology has shown identi- some instances nonhuman primates have been fication of commensals and parasites in such incriminated as factors in parasitic disease material to the species level to be difficult, zoonoses. Surveys of the parasites of non- if not impossible, entries are made at the human primates at the time of their capture generic level (Myers, 1970, Lab. Animal Care in the field are limited. Extensive checklists of 20: 342-344). This is especially true for the commensals and parasites of several species conglomeration of amebae as well as other of nonhuman primates—baboons (Myers and intestinal protozoa, and for the strongyle Kuntz, 1965, Primates 6: 137-195), Taiwan nematodes for which there is considerable macaque (Kuntz and Myers, 1969, Primates overlap in egg measurements and in other 10: 71—80), and chimpanzees (Myers and egg characteristics. The presence of Ascaris Kuntz, 1972, Primates 13:433-471)—have been compiled but much of the available information has come from investigators and Table 1. Parasites and commensals in chimpan- institutions employing only a few hosts of a zees from Sierra Leone. given species for varied research puiposes, and most of the host—parasite records have emanated Number of animals examined 110 from animals examined after considerable pe- Intestinal riods in captivity. Much information has come PIIOTOZOA : Amebae from zoos and other unnatural situations where Entamooba sp. 16* Ciliates chimpanzees and other nonhuman primates Balantidium sp. 7 have had considerable contact with man and Troglodytella sp. 70 Fecal samples without protozoa 20 other mammals. HELMINTHS: Cestodes A checklist of commensals and parasites Bertiella sp. 4 recorded for the chimpanzee (Myers and Nematodes Ascaris sp. 1 Kuntz, 1972, Primates 13:433-471) indicates Enterobius sp. 3 Hookworm (rhabditiform larvae) 13 their susceptibility to infection by a long list of Physaloptera sp. 1 intestinal and blood protozoa, helminths, and Strongyles (mixed) 47 Strongyloides (rhabditiform larvae) 19 arthropods. Parasitological data on chimpan- Trichostronfft/lus sp. 2 zees in the field, however, are essentially Fecal samples without helminths 6 lacking even though there have been several Ectoparasites ARTHROPODS: reports on limited numbers of animals shortly Ticks after importation into the United States (Kuntz Amblyomma sp. (scrotum) 1 Fleas and Myers, 1969, Proc. 2nd Internatl. Cong. Tunga pcnetrans (footpads) 1 Primat. 3: 184-190; van Riper et al., 1966, * Sixteen of 110 animals examined were infected.

constitutes an unusual record. The chigoe flea, of Health, Education and Welfare under Grant Tunga penetrans, parasitizes a number of verte- 5 R22 AI-08207 and Grant RR 05519 from brates, but this is the first record for a non- National Institutes of Health. human primate. The authors wish to acknowledge Drs. H. Several species of worms were removed Hoogstraal and M. Kaiser, NAMRU-3, Cairo, from chimpanzees not included in the present Egypt, UAR, for identification of Amblyomma, study but examined shortly after death by one and Dr. R. Traub, University of Maryland, for of us (J.A.K.). These included adults of confirmation of identification of Tunga pene- Enterobius anthropopitheci, Primasubulura dis- trans. tans, Oesophagostomum dentigerum, Bertiella sp., and Schistosoma mansoni, immature female BETTY JUNE MYERS AND ROBERT E. KUNTZ Ascaris sp., and larvae of Strongyloides. Southwest Foundation for Research and This study was supported in part by grants Education from the U.S.—Japan Cooperative Medical San Antonio, Texas 78284 Science Program administered by the National and Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of J. A. KAMARA the National Institutes of Health, Department Freetown, Sierra Leone

The Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology

The Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology was established in March, 1971 to serve the profession of parasitology by promoting knowledge of systematics of animal parasites through conserving specimens, gathering literature and continuing original research. It is a part of the Division of Parasitology, University of Nebraska State Museum and was organized around the nucleus of Professor Manter's 45-year collection of specimens and literature. Contributions of specimens, older papers and duplicate reprints are welcomed. For additional information, contact Dr. Mary Hansen Pritchard, Curator, The Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology, W-529 Nebraska Hall West, University of Nebraska— Lincoln 68508.