User:Jessica Zauri/Geophagia

Geophagy is a behavioural adaptation seen in 136 species of nonhuman primates from the suborder Haplorrhini (81%) and Strepsirrhini (19%). The most commonly ingested soils are soils from mounds, soils from tree bases, soils from termite mounds, 'Pong' soils, forest floor. Studies have shown the many benefits of geophagy such as protection from parasites (4.9%), provides minerals supplements (19.5%) and helps metabolize toxic compounds from leaves (12.2%) nonexclusive. From soil analysis it has been seen that one of the mail compounds in the earth consumed by these primates is the clay minerals that contains kaolinite which is commonly used in medications for diarrheal and intestinal problems. Geophagic behaviour plays an important role in nonhuman primates' health. This kind of zoopharmacognosy use differs from one species to another. For example, Mountain Gorillas from Rwanda tend to ingest clay soil during dry season, when the vegetation changes forcing them to feed on plants that have more toxic compounds, in this case the ingested clay absorbs these toxins providing digestive benefits. This kind of seasonal behavioural adaptation is also seen in the Red-Handed Howler monkeys from the western Brazilian Amazonia, which also have to adapt to the shift of feeding on leaves that contains more toxic compounds. In other cases, geopghagy is used by the Ring-Tailed Lemurs as a preventive and therapeutic behaviour for parasites control and intestinal infection. These benefits from clay ingestion can also be observed among Rhesus Macaques. A study that was carried out in the Island of Cayo Santiago, it has been observed that the Rhesus Macaques had intestinal parasites and they were very healthy and didn't have many gastrointestinal effects from these parasites. Data observed, shows that this was caused by the consumption of clay soil by this species. On the other hand observations have shown that behavioural geophagy provides minerals supplements, as seen among Cambodian's Colobinae. The study was done at the salt licks in Veun Sai-Siem Pang Conservation Area, a site that is visited by various species of nonhuman primates. More in-depth research needs to be carried out in order to better understand this behavioural adaptation of geaophagy among nonhuman primates.