Long-tailed macaque response to deforestation in a Plasmodium knowlesi-endemic area

Stark, D. J., Fornace, K. M. , Brock, P. M. , Abidin, T. R., Gilhooly, L., Jalius, C., Goossens, B., Drakeley, C. J. and Salgado-Lynn, M. (2019) Long-tailed macaque response to deforestation in a Plasmodium knowlesi-endemic area. EcoHealth, 16(4), pp. 638-646. (doi: 10.1007/s10393-019-01403-9) (PMID:30927165) (PMCID:PMC6910895)

Abstract

Land-use changes can impact infectious disease transmission by increasing spatial overlap between people and wildlife disease reservoirs. In Malaysian Borneo, increases in human infections by the zoonotic malaria Plasmodium knowlesi are hypothesised to be due to increasing contact between people and macaques due to deforestation. To explore how macaque responses to environmental change impact disease risks, we analysed movement of a GPS-collared long-tailed macaque in a knowlesi-endemic area in Sabah, Malaysia, during a deforestation event. Land-cover maps were derived from satellite-based and aerial remote sensing data and models of macaque occurrence were developed to evaluate how macaque habitat use was influenced by land-use change. During deforestation, changes were observed in macaque troop home range size, movement speeds and use of different habitat types. Results of models were consistent with the hypothesis that macaque ranging behaviour is disturbed by deforestation events but begins to equilibrate after seeking and occupying a new habitat, potentially impacting human disease risks. Further research is required to explore how these changes in macaque movement affect knowlesi epidemiology on a wider spatial scale.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fornace, Dr Kimberly and Brock, Dr Patrick
• Authors: Stark, D. J., Fornace, K. M., Brock, P. M., Abidin, T. R., Gilhooly, L., Jalius, C., Goossens, B., Drakeley, C. J., and Salgado-Lynn, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: EcoHealth
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 1612-9202
• ISSN (Online): 1612-9210
• Published Online: 29 March 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Authors
• First Published: First published in EcoHealth 16(4): 638-646
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License