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This study reports the prevalence of simian immunodeficiency virus and the relationship of serostatus to age and sex among a wild population of Ethiopian grivet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops aethiops). Seropositivity paralleled patterns of sexual activity, being nearly universal in females of reproductive age, and absent in all males except those that were fully adult. One female seroconverted between two capture seasons at an age consistent with first breeding. Our findings support a predominantly sexual mode of transmission among SIVagm infected grivets.

Bloodsmears from 119 yellow baboons (Papio hamadryas cynocephalus) in six groups in Mikumi National Park, Tanzania, and from 189 olive (P.h. anubis) hamadryas (P.h. hamadryas) and hybrid baboons in three groups in Awash National park, Ethiopia showed differing levels of infection with Hepatocystis simiae. 0% to 42% in the Tanzanian groups were carriers of the parasite but none of the Ethiopian baboons was positive. The remarkable absence of H. simiae in the Ethiopian baboons is believed to be related to environmental factors that exclude transmission in the absence of the Culicoides vector.

Human type A-B-O blood group antigens were tested in a local population of Ethiopian vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops). One animal was of group AB, the others were A. This represents a lower rate of polymorphism at this locus than has been observed among South African populations of the same species.

Hematocrits among free-ranging baboons (Papio hamadryas subsp.), from Awash in Ethiopia and Mikumi in Tanzania, varied by region, sex, age, and season of collection. Tanzanian animals had higher mean values than Ethiopian, and hematocrits were higher in the dry season. We discuss the comparability of field and laboratory data and possible reasons for the observed variation.

Blood smears of 159 vervet monkeys from three sites in Kenya were stained with Giemsa and examined for Hepatocystis parasites. The populations differ in incidence of parasitemia, ranging from 0-62% affected individuals. These differences are probably due to altitude and local environmental conditions.