Ecological and Anthropogenic Influences on Patterns of Parasitism in Free-Ranging Primates: A Meta-analysis of the Genus Alouatta

Parasites play a central role in tropical ecosystems, affecting the ecology and evolution of species interactions, host population growth and regulation, and community biodiversity (Esch and Fernandez 1993; Hudson, Dobson and Newborn 1998; Hochachka and Dhondt 2000; Hudson et al. 2002). Our understanding of how natural and anthropogenic factors affect host-parasite dynamics in free-ranging primate populations (Gillespie, Chapman and Greiner 2005a; Gillespie, Greiner and Chapman 2005b; Gillespie and Chapman 2006) and the relationship between wild primates and human health in rural or remote areas (McGrew et al. 1989; Stuart et al. 1990; Muller-Graf, Collins and Woolhouse 1997; Gillespie et al. 2005b; Pedersen et al. 2005) remain largely unexplored. The majority of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic – easily transferred among humans, wildlife, and domesticated animals – (Nunn and Altizer 2006). For example, Taylor, Latham and Woolhouse (2001) found that 61% of human pathogens are shared with animal hosts. Identifying general principles governing parasite occurrence and prevalence is critical for planning animal conservation and protecting human health (Nunn et al. 2003). In this review, we examine how various ecological and anthropogenic factors affect patterns of parasitism in free-ranging howler monkeys (Genus Alouatta).