Uji Turnitin Balantidium sp. Infection in Faeces Samples of Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) from Care Center and Tanjung Puting National Park Area, Central Borneo.

Abstract

Balantidium infection has been discovered in many animals including orangutans. The aim of this research is to identify the infection frequency of Balantidium sp. in Bornean orangutans in Care Center and Tanjung Puting National Park. A total of 239 samples have been collected from both areas in 2010. Laboratory analyses have been carried out utilizing a formalin ethyl-acetate precipitation method to detect the presence of Balantidium sp. As results, Balantidium sp. was discovered in 24 (12.57%) samples from 191 samples in Care Center area and in 8 samples (16.67%) from 48 samples in Tanjung Puting National Park. Balantidium sp. infection generally occurs when the quality of orangutans’ habitats decrease. The infection of Balantidium sp. in both areas has indicated that the ecosystem of orangutans has deteriorated. Further research is required to identify the sources and the patterns of infection in orangutans’ group (age and sex) and individual. What is more, molecular characterization is necessary to identify the species of Balantidium due to its species diversity.