Nulkar, Sakshi2025-01-162019http://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/203This study was conducted on the endoparasites of Rhesus Macaques in two areas namely Chandrabani and Rajaji-Chidiyapur during the months of January to April 2019. The aim of this study is to understand whether, between two study areas, there is a difference in the parasite prevalence levels, and incidence of mixed infections of parasites in Rhesus macaques. Also, the aim is to see if a relationship exists between parasite prevalence and the blood parameters. Parasitism is considered to be a natural phenomenon present within any population. However, it is worth questioning whether the parasite populations share many host species in an area of high human-wildlife interface and whether human parasites find refuge in macaques also. Rhesus macaques were studied in Chandrabani area (higher intensity of human use) and Rajaji-Chidiyapur (low intensity of human use). Within the study areas of Chandrabani and Rajaji-Chidiyapur, the Chandrabani area was speculated to have higher parasite prevalence. A total of 143 faecal samples were collected from both the areas. These samples were analysed in the laboratory for the morphological identification of the parasite genera. For the blood samples, a total of 49 animals were captured and their blood samples were taken for blood testing. Levels of bilirubin, haemoglobin, total proteins, albumin, differential leukocyte counts, RBC counts, platelets etc. are known to show relationships with the parasite infections and hence these parameters were analysed amongst others. Parasite prevalence was calculated for the two areas separately, which indicated the number of individuals that were infected by a particular parasite in the host populations. Blood parameters were correlated with these parasite prevalences to visualize their relationships. Parasite prevalence was found to be significantly higher in Chandrabani area than Rajaji- Chidiyapur. However, parasite species richness and the incidence of multi-species (mixed) infections in Rhesus macaques were not different between the two areas. Amongst the blood parameters, the mean values of total bilirubin, total protein, RBC count and haemoglobin values showed strong correlations with parasite prevalences of the troops in Chandrabani area. This data for the haematological and biochemical parameters is the first such report for free-ranging Rhesus Macaques in northern India.enMammalsPrimatesRhesus macaqueMacaca mulattaPhysiological changesRajaji national parkChandrabaniEndoparasitesDisease prevalenceThesis