Ectoparasite diversity and abundance in different lemur species

One factor influencing lemur health is ectoparasites, which can cause negative impacts on their host. The ectoparasite load on a given lemur varies as a result of multiple factors like age, sex, hormones, and behavior. This study aims to quantify differences in ectoparasite load among lemur species and identify biological mechanisms behind these variations. Using pre-collected data from Madagascar, Bayesian statistics were utilized to analyze the relationships between parasite load and host traits. The findings suggest species-specific patterns in ectoparasite load, highlighting the ecological and evolutionary implications for lemur health and conservation.