Impact of increased contact with humans on diversity and ecology of protozoan parasites of African great apes
Project goals
Close evolutionary relationship of great apes and humans results in overlap of their pathogens. Several infectious diseases, defined as "emerging", recently appeared as serious threat for great apes. The zoonotic potential of most of the parasites of great apes and humans is expected based on morphological similarity. In protozoans, such approach overestimates zoonotic transmissions. Compared to helminths, gastrointestinal protozoa represent neglected part of parasites communities, despite several advantages for the research focused on zoonotic transmissions. Study is a collaborative effort focused on unicellular parasites of Pan and Gorilla and on the impact of intensity of contact with humans on communities of these parasites. We focus on ciliates (Balantidium), apicomplexans (Cryptosporidium), amoebae (e.g. Entamoeba), flagellates (esp. trichomonads and Giardia), Blastocystis and microsporidia (e.g. Encephalitozoon). These parasites are known to parasitize great apes, but knowledge about their occurrence is lacking any attempt to characterize them better. Expected results will contribute to the general knowledge on the evolution of studied parasites and their host specificity. Moreover, results might positively impact the conservation practices.
Keywords
Public support
Provider
Czech Science Foundation
Programme
Standard projects
Call for proposals
Standardní projekty 12 (SGA02009GA-ST)
Main participants
—
Contest type
VS - Public tender
Contract ID
206/09/0927
Alternative language
Project name in Czech
Vliv zvýšeného kontaktu s člověkem na diverzitu a ekologii jednobuněčných parazitů afrických lidoopů
Annotation in Czech
porovnat společenstva jednobuňečných parazitů GIT u afrických lidoopů v závislosi na úrovni kontaktu s člověkem a posoudit tak frekvenci a význam zoonotických přenosů, resp. jejich možný dopad na populace divokých lidoopů
Scientific branches
R&D category
ZV - Basic research
CEP classification - main branch
GJ - Diseases and animal vermin, veterinary medicine
CEP - secondary branch
EG - Zoology
CEP - another secondary branch
EH - Ecology - communities
10613 - Zoology
10614 - Behavioral sciences biology
10615 - Ornithology
10616 - Entomology
10618 - Ecology
10619 - Biodiversity conservation
40301 - Veterinary science
Completed project evaluation
Provider evaluation
V - Vynikající výsledky projektu (s mezinárodním významem atd.)
Project results evaluation
The project was excellent, both in terms of expertise and in terms of disbursement of funds.
Solution timeline
Realization period - beginning
Jan 1, 2009
Realization period - end
Dec 31, 2011
Project status
U - Finished project
Latest support payment
Apr 16, 2011
Data delivery to CEP
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data delivery code
CEP12-GA0-GA-U/02:2
Data delivery date
May 2, 2016
Finance
Total approved costs
4,271 thou. CZK
Public financial support
4,271 thou. CZK
Other public sources
0 thou. CZK
Non public and foreign sources
0 thou. CZK
Basic information
Recognised costs
4 271 CZK thou.
Public support
4 271 CZK thou.
100%
Provider
Czech Science Foundation
CEP
GJ - Diseases and animal vermin, veterinary medicine
Solution period
01. 01. 2009 - 31. 12. 2011