| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立屏東科技大學 === 野生動物保育研究所 === 103 === Host and parasites coevolve from long-term and dynamic interactions. Infection of parasites is important in shaping the behavioral adaption of host, among which leaf swallowing behavior of carnivore is considered self-medication behavior to defend the infection from intestinal parasites, such as ingestion and defecation of leaves in Chinese lesser civet (Viverricula indica) in Taiwan. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between the intestinal parasitic infection and leaf swallowing pattern of civets in Jinshueiying National Trail, and 3 captive civets in the Pingtung Rescue Center for Endangered Wild Animals. The occurrence of undigested leaf in feces of the 3 captive civets were recorded for 10 months. Fresh civet feces were collected every month from August 2013 to July 2014 to examine the intensity of parasitic infection and the occurrence of undigested leaves as well as parasite worms. In total, 414 feces sample were inspected, among which 207were collected and analyzed for the parasitic infection, The correlation between parasite infection and monthly mean temperature and rainfall was revealed. 16 species of parasites were detected, including Toxocara sp., Capillaria sp., hookworm, Mesoestoides lineatus, Strongyloides sp. and Trichuris sp. Due to the limitation of identifying parasite species by eggs, 2 group of parasiteeggs still remained unknown. The average infection intensity of hookworms was significantly negatively related to monthly cumulative rainfall, probably caused by landslide effect after rainfall. A significantly positive relationship between average infection intensity of roundworms and average temperature were found, suggesting that suitable temperature may help preserving parasite eggs in feces. Undigested leaves were found in the 3 captive civets’ feces every month, even though no parasite eggs were recovered in feces, suggesting that leaf swallowing behavior is propensity in civets regardless of parasite infection. Furthermore, the occurrence of undigested leaves was significantly associated with the occurrence of the adult roundworm in feces collected in the wild. The results suggest that leaf swallowing by civets is a self-medication behavior, which may help these animals to prevent or control infection by intestinal parasites.
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