Comparison of parasitic infections and body condition in rufous mouse lemurs (Microcebus rufus) at Ranomafana National Park, southeast Madagascar

Abstract

Body condition may be an important indicator for many infectious diseases and parasites, and may ultimately affect an individual’s fitness. Although some research has correlated body condition and parasite loads in other nonhuman primates, little information has been investigated in prosimian primates. In this study we compare parasitic infections and body condition in a member of the Cheirogaleidae family (Microcebus rufus: rufous mouse lemur) at Ranomafana National Park, southeast Madagascar. This species is characterized by seasonal fattening in preparation for the dry season followed by torpor, and it is important to understand the fluctuation between parasites and infections according to seasonal body condition. We trapped 72 individuals of the species inside Ranomafana National Park (RNP) after the dry season. These individuals were brought to the Centre Valbio Laboratory (CVB) and were subcutaneously micro-chipped with subdermal transponders for permanent identification. We recorded morphometric data, body condition, species richness and prevalence of ectoparasites and gastrointestinal parasites. We found that individuals that had both high number of parasite species as well as high prevalence of ectoparasites and gastrointestinal parasites had better body condition. There is some indication that being in good condition is important in controlling infections.