Social status and helminth infections in female forest guenons ( Cercopithecus mitis )

Bibliographic Data

ID8320964
AuthorsSteffen Foerster (0000-0002-6081-1775, Department of Evolutionary Anthropology Duke University Durham NC, corresponding author), Kiio Kithome (National Museums of Kenya Institute of Primate Research Nairobi Kenya), M Cords (0000-0001-7416-0603, Columbia University), Steven L Monfort (Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Front Royal VA)
Year2015
Volume158
Issue1
Pages55-66
Publication date2015-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.22764
PMID26060035
OpenAlexW1932512859
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited87

OBJECTIVE: When resource competition within primate social groups is effective, high-ranking individuals generally gain fitness benefits. Contrary to expectations, female Cercopithecus mitis form linear dominance hierarchies without evidence for rank-related variation in fitness-relevant measures, raising questions about the evolution of guenon social structure. Here, we test whether social status predicts gastrointestinal helminth infections, known to influence health and morbidity in other mammalian hosts. In addition, we assess whether infections contribute to stress responses as indicated by fecal glucocorticoid (fGC) levels. METHODS: We quantified infections and hormone levels in 382 fecal samples from 11 adult female Sykes' monkeys (C. m. albogularis) over four months in one wild study group at Gede Ruins, Kenya. Using a generalized estimating equations technique, we modeled the odds of infection, relative infection intensity, and fGC variation. RESULTS: High-ranking females were less likely infected with Trichuris and Trichostrongylus, had lower fecal egg counts for both taxa, and overall lower helminth richness than low-ranking females. An inverse relationship between rank and Trichuris egg counts existed also in a study population of blue monkeys (C. m. stuhlmanni), where we collected comparable data over a shorter period. Regardless of rank, lactating females were more likely than non-lactating females to be infected with Trichuris, and had higher fecal egg counts for both Trichuris and Oesophagostomum. Lastly, we report evidence that Trichuris infections exacerbated energetic stress and that food supplementation by tourists increased infection levels. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that high-rank may provide long-term health and energetic benefits for female C. mitis, with potential fitness implications

Ascaris lumbricoides · Biology · Feces · Helminths · Population · Trichuris · Trichuris trichiura · Veterinary medicine · Zoology · Demography · Ecology · Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation · Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior · Medicine · Primate Behavior and Ecology