Temporal variation in leaf swallowing in relation to parasite infections and rainfall during the two survey periods.
Top: bars show the biweekly mean (± SD) number of infections by different parasites with pathogenic potential, determined by coproscopy (see text). Bottom: Lines show the % biweekly faeces containing wholly swallowed leaves and the biweekly prevalence in samples of potentially pathogenic nematodes (Oesophagostomum sp., Strongyloides sp. and hookworm); bars show biweekly rainfall. The patterning of rainfall bars indicate whether biweekly periods were in months classified as wet (solid), transient (hatched) or dry (vertical lines); see Methods. The number of faecal samples inspected per biweekly period (microscopically; macroscopically): Period 1 –Sep.2 (33; 28), Oct.1 (46; 43), Oct.2 (30; 30), Nov.1 (32; 33), Nov.2 (31; 30); Period 2 –Feb.2 (14; 21), Mar.1 (91; 81), Mar.2 (65; 61), Apr.1 (55; 46), Apr.2 (35; 33).
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