Botfly Parasitism on Two Primates of the Cebidae Family in Peru

Vilchez-Delgado F.; Ramírez-Montano L.F.; Merino-Merino X.; Ojeda-Juárez R.R.; Espinoza-Román M.H.; Duarte-Quiroga A. · Journal of Wildlife Diseases (2022) · DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-21-00175

Resumen

Botflies (Diptera:Oestridae) are a diverse group of insect parasites that affect various vertebrate species. There are previous reports of myiasis affecting wild primates in Central and South America; however, information about botfly parasitism in Peruvian primates is scarce. We present data from two Cebidae primate specimens: a rescued large-headed capu-chin monkey (Sapajus macrocephalus) housed at Taricaya Rescue Center, in Tambopata, Peru, and a free-ranging white-fronted capuchin monkey (Cebus albifrons aequatorialis) inhabiting Cerros de Amotape National Park. The first specimen had a larva identified as Dermatobia hominis, whereas Cuterebra baeri larvae infested the second. In both cases we initially identified the parasite species through their morphologic fea-tures before confirming the identification with genetic analysis through the cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial gene sequencing of the larvae. Further field studies on the primate-parasite dynamics are needed to understand the impact of botfly myiasis on primate populations. © Wildlife Disease Association 2022.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos