2017 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Primate and parasite community assemblages as indicators of a transitioning environment
| Project/Area Number |
16H06181
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| Research Institution | Kyoto University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
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| Keywords | primatology / parasitology / community ecology / host-parasite ecology / epidemiology / conservation |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
FY2017 saw continued collection of fecal samples from primates living along the Kinabatangan River in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. This was facilitated by recruiting a master’s student from the University of Malaysia Sabah, who spent two months in the field in February and March of 2018. To date, we have been able to collect over 770 fecal samples from the region, which we use for microscopic and molecular analysis of parasites. We also published a first paper from the project on the genetic diversity of a nematode parasite infecting all primates in the community, and another book chapter about parasites in endangered primates is now in press. Finally, our collaboration expanded to include other members of the Institute of Tropical Biology and Conservation and the Faculty of Medicine at UMS.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
Three factors that have slowed down progress of this project. (1) a travel advisory was issued in 2016 for the region surrounding the field site (level 3; no non-essential travel). My graduate student thus had limited access to the field site. Second my teaching responsibilities increased significantly in FY2017, meaning I could not spend much time in the field myself. Third, the Malaysian government has tightened restrictions on sample exports, and the Sabah Biodiversity Centre, which overseas permissions, has been in a state of reconfiguration, so there has not been a committee meeting for export permissions in approximately 1 year now. We are compensating by conducting lab work with collaborators in Sabah, but progress is slower than predicted.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
1) survey regions of Kinabatangan for primate diversity and abundance; fecal sampling for parasites; test seasonal variation in host-parasite communities. 2) parasitological analysis of feces; characterize intestinal helminth and protozoan community for 5-6 primate species. 3) examine host and parasite diversity and abundance in relation to human-altered landscapes (e.g. plantations and forest edges). 4) disseminate results via scientific publications and conference talks; meet with local authorities and researchers; work toward outreach and education. *A new student at the Universiti Malasia Sabah (UMS) was recruited in February 2018 to work on the project; new collaborators at UMS will facilitate lab work; and a Kyoto University graduate Student continues to work on the project.
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