MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'American Journal of Primatology' source. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:10:14 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3381240&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20824 Common marmosets vocalize phee calls as isolation calls, which seem to facilitate their reunion with family groups. To identify multiple acoustic properties with different time courses, we examined acoustic modulations of phees during different social contexts of isolation. Subject marmosets were totally isolated in one condition, were visually isolated and could exchange vocalizations in another condition, and were visually isolated and subsequently totally isolated in a third condition. We recorded 6,035 phees of 10 male-female marmoset pairs and conducted acoustic analysis. The marmosets frequently vocalized phees that were temporally elongated and louder during isolation, with varying time courses of these changes in acoustic parameters. The vocal rates and sound levels of the phees in... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3381240 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3381240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3381241&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20822 Human-wildlife conflicts, such as crop-raiding, increase as people expand their agricultural activities into wildlife habitats. Crop-raiding can reduce tolerance toward species that are already threatened, whereas potential dangers posed by conflicts with large-bodied species may also negatively influence local attitudes. Across Asia, wild pigs and primates, such as macaques, tend to be the most commonly reported crop raiders. To date, reports of crop-raiding incidents involving great apes have been less common, but incidents involving orangutans are increasingly emerging in Indonesia. To investigate the interplay of factors that might explain attitudes toward crop-raiding by orangutans (Pongo abelii), focal group discussions and semi-structured interviews were conducted among 822 farmers ... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3381241 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3381241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3345177&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20814 Field primatologists face unusual ethical issues. We study animals rather than people and receive research approval from animal care rather than ethics committees. However, animal care evaluation forms are developed from concerns about laboratory animal research and are based on the "Three R's" for humane treatment of captive experimental subjects (replacement, reduction and refinement), which are only debatably relevant to field research. Scientists who study wild, free-ranging primates in host countries experience many ethical dilemmas seldom dealt with in animal care forms. This paper reviews the ethical issues many field primatologists say they face and how these might be better addressed by animal care forms. The ethical issues arising for field researchers are divided into three cate... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3345177 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3345177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3345178&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20821 Socio-ecological theory predicts that group fusion in female-philopatric primate species will be rare because females experience increased costs by associating with non-relatives. Indeed, fusion has been reported only 14 times in only 4 female-philopatric cercopithecines despite many years of observation. Here, we describe changes in ranging and agonistic behavior of vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) after the fusion of two groups, the sole group fusion during 11 years of observation, induced by a brief but intense period of apparent leopard predation. Before fusion, both groups made few incursions into the other group's territory and spent most of the time in their own territories. After the fusion, the amalgamated group shifted its activities and used both territories in similar pr... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3345178 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3345178 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3333614&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20819 This study examined whether rearing conditions affect adult male chimpanzees' behavior skills used for solving a problem with acquired locomotion behavior. Subjects were 13 male residents of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Uto: 5 wild-born and 8 captive-born. A pretest assessed bed building and tool use abilities to verify behavioral differences between wild- and captive-born subjects, as earlier reports have described. Second, a banana-access test was conducted to investigate the problem-solving ability of climbing a bamboo pillar for accessing a banana, which might be the most efficient food access strategy for this setting. The test was repeated in a social setting. Results show that wild-born subjects were better able than captive-born subjects to use the provided materials for bed building a... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3333614 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3333614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3333615&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20817 The Spiny Thicket Ecoregion (STE) of Southern and southwestern Madagascar was recently home to numerous giant lemurs and other "megafauna," including pygmy hippopotamuses, giant tortoises, elephant birds, and large euplerid carnivores. Following the arrival of humans more than 2,000 years ago, dramatic extinctions occurred. Only one-third of the lemur species which earlier occupied the STE survive today; other taxa suffered even greater losses. We use stable isotope biogeochemistry to reconstruct past diets and habitat preferences of the recently extinct lemurs of the STE. We show that the extinct lemurs occupied a wide range of niches, often distinct from those filled by coeval non-primates. Many of the now-extinct lemurs regularly exploited habitats that were drier than the gallery fores... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3333615 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3333615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3329629&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20820 To understand whether or not primate populations recover in areas of abandoned human settlements, data are required that allow for site-specific comparison over time. Here, we present baseline information on the presence/absence and relative abundance of primate species at the abandoned settlement of the Ekundukundu village, relocated out of the Korup National Park in 2000. Between July 2007 and March 2008, 62 km of transects was surveyed for sightings and calls of primates. All eight species of diurnal primates reported in the KNP were confirmed: Cercopithecus nictitans ludio, C. mona, C. erythrotis camerunensis, C. pogonias, Procolobus pennantii preussi, Cercocebus torquatus, Mandrillus leucophaeus leucophaeus, and Pan troglodytes vellerosus. At old Ekundukundu, C. nictitans accounted fo... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3329629 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3329629 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3320538&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20818 Selection and use patterns of sleeping sites in nonhuman primates are suggested to have multiple functions, such as predation avoidance, but they might be further affected by range defense as well as foraging constraints or other factors. Here, we investigate sleeping tree selection by the male and female members of one group of pileated gibbons (Hylobates pileatus) at Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. Data were collected on 113 nights, between September 2006 and January 2009, yielding data on 201 sleeping tree choices (107 by the female and 94 by the male) and on the characteristics of 71 individual sleeping trees. Each sleeping tree and all trees [ge]40 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) in the home range were assessed (height, DBH, canopy structure, liana load) and mapped u... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3320538 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3320538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3296849&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20815 Understanding the complex relationship between primates and their habitats is essential for effective conservation plans. Peat-swamp forest has recently been recognized as an important habitat for the Southern Bornean gibbon (Hylobates albibarbis), but information is scarce on the factors that link gibbon density to characteristics of this unique ecosystem. Our aims in this study were firstly to estimate gibbon density in different forest subtypes in a newly protected, secondary peat-swamp forest in the Sabangau Catchment, Indonesia, and secondly to identify which vegetation characteristics correlate with gibbon density. Data collection was conducted in a 37.1 km2 area, using auditory sampling methods and vegetation "speed plotting". Gibbon densities varied between survey sites from 1.39 t... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3296849 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3296849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3296850&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20816 This study assesses the impact of hunting on the densities of nonhuman primates in two indigenous Tikuna territories (Mocagua and San Martín), overlapping Amacayacu National Park in the Colombian Amazon. Large-bodied primates were once favored prey by Tikunas, but are now rarely hunted owing to the diminishing primate populations. We evaluate the effect of a hunting ban on woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagothricha) by the residents of Mocagua, using qualitative and quantitative methods. Hunting records showed that from February 2005 to February 2009, a total of 25,142 kg of mammal bushmeat were harvested in Mocagua and San Martín. Primates constituted 345 kg of the total harvest. From 223 kg of large-bodied primates extracted for subsistence purposes, 160 kg were hunted in San Martín and 64... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3296850 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3296850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3281949&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20813 This study investigates variation in fecal cortisol levels in a population of black howlers (Alouatta pigra) from 350 fecal samples collected from 33 individuals in more than 4 years. A general linear mixed model revealed that cortisol varied significantly with fruit availability and contact with tourists. When fruit availability was low, cortisol increased, likely because when fruit availability is low monkeys eat less fruit, thus obtaining less sugar. This result may simply reflect cortisol's metabolic function of mobilizing glucose. It also indicates that these monkeys may be experiencing periods of food stress throughout the year, which was earlier thought to be minimal for a primarily folivorous species. Presence of tourists was the only other factor found to lead to high cortisol; wi... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3281949 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3281949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3278303&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20806 There are many aspects of "mothering" that may provide information to the mammalian infant about environmental conditions during critical periods of development. One essential element of mothering involves the quantity and quality of milk that mothers provide for their infants, but little is known about the consequences of variation in milk production. Mother's milk may affect infant behavior by contributing to brain development and to the development of behavioral dispositions. Here we present the first evidence for any mammal that natural variation in available milk energy (AME) from the mother is associated with later variation in infant behavior and temperament in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta, N=59). In the early postnatal period, heavier mothers with more reproductive experience pr... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3278303 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3278303 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3278304&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20811 A study based on 14 STRs was conducted to understand intergenerational genetic changes that have occurred within the California National Primate Research Center's (CNPRC) regular specific pathogen-free (SPF) and super-SPF captive rhesus macaque populations relative to their conventional founders. Intergenerational genetic drift has caused age cohorts of each study population, especially within the conventional population, to become increasingly differentiated from each other and from their founders. Although there is still only minimal stratification between the conventional population and either of the two SPF populations, separate derivation of the regular and super-SPF animals from their conventional founders has caused the two SPF populations to remain marginally different from each ot... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3278304 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3278304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3268630&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20810 We examined the location of nest groups, spatial distribution of nests within a nest group, and attributes of individual nests of wild bonobos at Wamba, Democratic Republic of Congo. We also examined the seasonal factors influencing nesting behavior and compared the nest group size with the 1 hr party size during daytime. We defined a nest group to be a cluster of nests that were built in the same evening and found within 30 m from the other nearest nest. Examination of the largest gap within a nest group suggested that 30 m was an acceptable cutoff value. Monthly rainfall or fruit abundance did not significantly influence the monthly mean nest group size. Nests were built in the swamp forest for as many as 13% observation days, suggesting the need for reevaluation of the use of swamp fore... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3268630 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3268630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3257271&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20809 Although the intestinal flora of chimpanzees has not been studied, insight into this dynamic environment can be obtained through studies on their feces. We analyzed fecal samples from human-habituated, wild chimpanzees at Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania, and compared microbial community profiles to determine if members of the same social group were similar. Between July and December 2007, we collected fresh fecal samples from 12 individuals: four juveniles, four adolescents, and four adults, including three parent-offspring pairs. Each sample was analyzed using Terminal-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism of amplified 16S rRNA genes. Twelve different profiles were generated, having between 1 and 15 Terminal-Restriction Fragments (T-RFs). Overall, a total of 23 different T-RFs... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3257271 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3257271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3257272&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20798 The island of Sulawesi is an ecologically diverse and anthropogenically complex region in the Indonesian archipelago; it is home to multiple macaque species and a key locus of human-nonhuman primate interconnections. Here, we review the ethnoprimatology of Sulawesi by exploring two primary domains of the human-macaque interface: overlapping resource use and cultural perceptions of macaques. Crop raiding is the primary form of overlapping resource use. While the raiding of cacao plantations predominates in Central and South Sulawesi, subsistence crops (e.g., sweet potato and maize) are most vulnerable on Buton, Southeast Sulawesi. Despite this overlap levels of conflict are generally low, with farmers showing considerable tolerance. This tolerance can be explained by positive perceptions of... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3257272 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3257272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3242102&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20808 In this study, gastrointestinal parasite species richness, prevalence, and egg density of infection were determined in howler groups inhabiting five forest fragments at the Santa Marta mountain range. Two hundred and seventy-eight fresh fecal samples were collected between October 2002 and April 2003. Three parasite species were found during the dry and the wet season in all forest fragments sampled: one unidentified species of Eimeriidae; Trypanoxyuris minutus (Oxyuridae); and Controrchis biliophilus (Dicrocoeliidae). Both the prevalence of T. minutus and infection density for all parasites differed between seasons and fragments (the largest fragment consistently differed from other fragments). Host density, distance to the nearest town, fragment size, fragment shape, and total basal area... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3242102 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3242102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3238062&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20805 Researchers have demonstrated the neighbor effect for affiliative and agonistic neighbor vocalizations in captive chimpanzees. We extend the investigation of the neighbor effect to New World monkeys, Callithrix jacchus. We collected data on vocalizations and behaviors of 31 focal individuals and concurrent neighbor vocalization within three behavioral categories: intragroup and intergroup aggression and intragroup affiliation. We investigated whether there was an influence of neighbor vocalizations on focal behavior within the same behavioral category. For data analysis we used approximate randomization of paired-sample t-tests. We found that marmosets performed intergroup aggressive behavior (bristle, anogenital present for neighbor loud shrill only) for significantly longer, and emitted ... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3238062 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3238062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3238063&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20807 The purpose of this study was to validate low radiation dose, contrast-enhanced, multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) as a non-invasive method for measuring ovarian volume in macaques. Computed tomography scans of four known-volume phantoms and nine mature female cynomolgus macaques were acquired using a previously described, low radiation dose scanning protocol, intravenous contrast enhancement, and a 32-slice MDCT scanner. Immediately following MDCT, ovaries were surgically removed and the ovarian weights were measured. The ovarian volumes were determined using water displacement. A veterinary radiologist who was unaware of actual volumes measured ovarian CT volumes three times, using a laptop computer, pen display tablet, hand-traced regions of interest, and free image analysis sof... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3238063 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3238063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3222241&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20804 Mycophagy is a relatively rare behavior in primates and has only been recorded in five callitrichid species. Here, we present data on the feeding ecology of a free-ranging group of Callithrix flaviceps, which was studied in the Augusto Ruschi Biological Reserve, Southeastern Brazil, in 2008. In contrast with other marmosets, which are typically gummivorous, the study group was predominantly mycophagous-insectivorous, with fungi corresponding to 64.8% of total feeding records, and gum (6.1%) and fruit (3.3%) together providing only a minor part of the diet. Prey corresponded to 25.8% of the group's diet. The fungi (Mycocitrus spp.) consumed by the marmosets were found attached to the stems of Merostachys bamboo. As the animal component of the group's diet was similar to that recorded in stu... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3222241 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3222241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3222242&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20812 No Abstract (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3222242 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3222242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3196087&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20795 The bacterial population of the primate vaginal canal is an infant primate's first exposure to the microbial population inhabiting the outside world. Yet, little is known about this population and the effect it might have on the development and survival of the infant primate. As a first step toward characterizing the vaginal microbiota of a nonhuman primate, we used denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to evaluate variations in the vaginal microbiota of a group of 35 baboons (Papio hamadryas), which were housed in a facility where they shared the same diet and the same environmental conditions. We found that, despite the uniform environment, there were appreciable differences in the composition of the microbiota from one individual to another. Our results also indicate that a simple swa... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3196087 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3196087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3196090&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20801 To assure a future for endangered primates and many other species, we must develop and carry out projects for their conservation as quickly and effectively as possible, even with only limited information about the complex systems of biological, political, social, economic, and cultural factors influencing the conservation situation. Adaptive management, defined as the integration of design, management, and monitoring to systematically test assumptions to learn and adapt, provides practitioners a method for improving strategies to achieve and sustain the desired conservation impact. The Conservation Measures Partnership, a joint venture of conservation NGOs, developed the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, a freely available framework that guides practitioners through implemen... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3196090 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3196090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3196089&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20802 We describe the cannibalization of an infant bonobo (circa 2.5 years old) at Lui Kotale, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The infant died of unknown causes and was consumed by several community members including its mother and an older sibling one day after death. Certain features concerning the pattern of consumption fit in with previously observed episodes of cannibalism in Pan, whereas others, such as the mother's participation in consuming the body, are notable. The incident suggests that filial cannibalism among apes need not be the result of nutritional or social stress and does not support the idea that filial cannibalism is a behavioral aberration. Am. J. Primatol. 71:1-6, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3196089 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3196089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3196088&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20796 Two yellow fever outbreaks (YFOs) ocurred in northeastern Argentina between November 2007 and October 2008, seriously affecting populations of two howler monkey species: the brown howler Alouatta guariba clamitans and the black howler Alouatta caraya. Both howlers live syntopically in El Piñalito Provincial Park, Misiones, where four groups (36 individuals) were studied since January 2005. The first dead howlers were found on January 20, 2008, in El Piñalito. Systematic searches found 14 dead howlers within the area (12 from the study groups and two from neighboring groups), with only two young seen on January 25, 2008, and none found since up to December 2008. In October 2008, another YFO hit howler monkey populations from El Soberbio, Misiones. Overall, 59 howlers were found dead in Mi... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3196088 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3196088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3184236&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20803 We examined all samples (n=90) for the zoonotic protozoa Cryptosporidium sp. and Giardia sp. via immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) detection. All samples were negative for Cryptosporidium sp. The prevalence of Giardia sp. was significantly higher at the rural site (67%) compared with the remote forest (57%) and village (40%) sites. A lack of Cryptosporidium sp. in all samples examined suggests that this pathogen is not a natural component of the howler parasite communities at these sites and that current land-use patterns and livestock contact are not exposing Argentine howler monkeys to this pathogen. High prevalence of Giardia sp. at all sites suggests that howler monkeys may serve as a viable reservoir for Giardia. Significantly higher prevalence of Giardia sp. at the rural site, where p... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3184236 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3184236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3177852&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20799 Ontogenic development is divided into infant, juvenile, adolescent and adult life-stages. Although the developmental trajectory of an individual is a flexible entity, which differs within species, environment and sex, life-stage classifications are generally structured, age-based systems. This invariably leads to rigidity within a dynamic system and consequently hampers our understanding of primate life history strategies. We propose that life-stage classifications should be quantitative, flexible entities, which use a reliable measurement of development. Here, we provide a methodological example where placement into a life-stage is based upon behavioral variance between other similar-aged individuals. Behavioral data were collected from 12 male (3-11 years old) and 9 female (3-8 years old... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3177852 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3177852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3169737&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20797 The African apes possess thinner enamel than do other hominoids, and a certain amount of dentin exposure may be advantageous in the processing of tough diets eaten by Gorilla. Dental wear (attrition plus abrasion) that erodes the enamel exposes the underlying dentin and creates additional cutting edges at the dentin-enamel junction. Hypothetically, efficiency of food processing increases with junction formation until an optimal amount is reached, but excessive wear hinders efficient food processing and may lead to sickness, reduced fecundity, and death. Occlusal surfaces of molars and incisors in three populations each of Gorilla and Pan were videotaped and digitized. The quantity of incisal and molar occlusal dental wear and the lengths of dentin-enamel junctions were measured in 220 adul... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3169737 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3169737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3169738&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20800 We examined the prey capture behavior of seven capuchin subjects (four female, three male) in the laboratory by providing subjects opportunities to fish. Additionally, we obtained structural magnetic resonance images from these subjects to determine if spatial-ability was related to CC anatomy. Over 30 fishing trials, we recorded the number of prey capture attempts, success rate in capturing fish, and hand techniques used in these attempts. Males were significantly faster and more successful than females at capturing prey. In addition, males had smaller total CC:brain ratios than females. Males displayed a left hand bias, as well as significant unimanual usage, whereas females displayed no significant preference for hand usage. Individual capture times were correlated with total CC:brain r... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3169738 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3169738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3147789&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20791 We present a structurally-based classification of mangabey calls that we cross-validated by an analysis of the associated contexts of emission. We found 12 sound units (including six sex-specific) that were concatenated to form eight call types (including four sex-specific), which were produced either singularly or in sequences composed of one ("repetition") or several ("combination") call types. We extracted organizational principles that ruled call composition and calling patterns. This revealed a high degree of potentially meaningful variability in terms of semantics and syntax. Male-female discrepancy in terms of phonation could be related to morphological dimorphism and would enable listeners to behave appropriately according to the sex of the caller. Sex differences in repertoire siz... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3147789 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3147789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3147791&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20789 The emerging discipline of ethnoprimatology has at its core the construct that humans and nonhuman primates share a planet, an evolutionary history and a "primate perspective" on the world; more simply stated ethnoprimatolgy suggests that humans have perspectives on nonhuman primates which can contribute positively to the primates' enduring survival in our increasingly human-dominated landscapes. Here, I explore whether humans can or do contribute positively to the conservation of nonhuman primates, or whether humanity's impact on, as well as our perceptions of, primates are generally negative. I examine primate-human interactions at the intersection of agriculture with natural habitats as exemplified in several long-term studies, and explore the conservation consequences of these interact... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3147791 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3147791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3147790&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20790 This study reinforces the notion that the great apes use an allocentric spatial coding. Am. J. Primatol. 71:1-11, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3147790 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3147790 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3128020&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20792 Conservation education goals generally include influencing people's conservation awareness, attitudes, and behaviors. Effective programs can help foster sustainable behavior, improve public support for conservation, reduce vandalism and poaching in protected areas, improve compliance with conservation regulations, increase recreation carrying capacities, and influence policies and decisions that affect the environment. Primate conservation problems cut across many disciplines, and primate conservation education must likewise address crossdisciplinary issues. Conservation educators must incorporate both theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to develop effective programs, and the skill set must stretch beyond pedagogy. Expertize needed comes from the areas of planning, collaboration... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3128020 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3128020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3128021&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20794 Species distribution maps are widely used in predicting areas of conservation concern, particularly where species distributions are poorly known. However, the accuracy of range maps for regional/local planning is questionable. We compared published putative geographic range polygons of ten primate species to their actual occupancy at 23 survey sites in southeastern Peru to assess the fine-scale accuracy of these polygons for regional conservation planning. We analyzed the proportion of sites at which each species was detected, both inside and outside of its published NatureServe [Patterson et al., Digital distribution maps of the mammals of the western hemisphere. Version 1.0. Arlington, VA, 2003] and IUCN [2008; Red List, 2008] range polygons. There were mismatches between our line-transe... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3128021 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3128021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3125863&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20779 Few Malagasy children and adults are aware of the rare and unique fauna and flora indigenous to their island-continent, including flagship lemur species. Even the Malagasy ancestral proverbs never mentioned lemurs, but these same proverbs talked about the now extinct hippopotamus. Madagascar's geography, history, and economic constraints contribute to severe biodiversity loss. Deforestation on Madagascar is reported to be over 100,000 ha/year, with only 10-15% of the island retaining natural forest [Green & Sussman, 1990]. Educating children, teacher-training, and community projects about environmental and conservation efforts to protect the remaining natural habitats of endangered lemur species provide a basis for long-term changes in attitudes and practices. Case studies of three conserv... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3125863 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3125863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3125866&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20788 Conservation Education has gone through a transformation since it was originally introduced. Numerous primatologists, working in all regions of the world where primates are endemic, have been extremely proactive in the application of Conservation Education (CE) and CE principles in their work. Here, I discuss the ongoing threats to primate populations around the world. Finally, I introduce a framework that can guide primatologists, as we move forward and face the challenges of the twenty-first century. Am. J. Primatol. 7l:1-5, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3125866 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3125866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3125865&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20793 In this study we investigated cortisol responses to stress among 70 multiparous, free-ranging female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) on the island of Cayo Santiago, PR. Plasma cortisol samples were collected in two consecutive years under similar conditions. Twenty-two females were sampled both years, and most of those females were lactating in only one of the years. Individual differences in cortisol levels were stable across years, even though reproductive condition changed for most individuals. No relationship was found between age or social rank and cortisol levels. Of the females that changed reproductive conditions, cortisol levels were higher when they were lactating than when they were cycling, and the amount of change in cortisol from cycling to lactating was greatest for low-ran... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3125865 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3125865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3125864&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20787 This study investigates the species-area relationship (SAR) for forest monkeys in a biodiversity hotspot. The Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania are well-suited to investigate the SAR, with seven monkey species in a range of fragment sizes (0.06-526 km2). We test the relationship between species richness and forest fragment size, relative to human and environmental factors. We distinguish resident and transitory species because the latter have an "effective patch size" beyond the area of forest. Forest area was the strongest (log-linear) predictor of species richness. However, forest area, elevation range and annual moisture index were intercorrelated. Previous knowledge of the relationship between elevation and tree communities suggests that the SAR is largely a result of habitat heterogeneit... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3125864 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3125864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3117413&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20786 The identification of the vocal repertoire of a species represents a crucial prerequisite for a correct interpretation of animal behavior. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have been widely used in behavioral sciences, and today are considered a valuable classification tool for reducing the level of subjectivity and allowing replicable results across different studies. However, to date, no studies have applied this tool to nonhuman primate vocalizations. Here, we apply for the first time ANNs, to discriminate the vocal repertoire in a primate species, Eulemur macaco macaco. We designed an automatic procedure to extract both spectral and temporal features from signals, and performed a comparative analysis between a supervised Multilayer Perceptron and two statistical approaches commonly use... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3117413 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3117413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3117414&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20784 Attacks on humans by nonhuman primates are one of the most serious causes of human-primate conflict, and strongly influence people's perceptions and tolerance of nonhuman primates. Despite their importance, systematic and extensive records of such attacks are rare. Here, we report the attacks that occurred on local persons by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) at Bossou, Republic of Guinea, from 1995 to 2009. There have been a total of 11 attacks during this period, the majority of which were directed toward children. They varied in their severity, but all were nonfatal. Attacks took place on a road and narrow paths that bordered the forest or in cultivated fields and orchards where opportunities for human-chimpanzee contact are high. Attacks occurred between the months of March and Octob... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3117414 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3117414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3109937&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20785 The six limestone langur taxa of Southeast Asia inhabit the rugged limestone karst mountains, although the reason for their current restriction to this habitat is unclear. From August 2007 to July 2008, I collected data on the diet and feeding behavior of the critically endangered Delacour's langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) in Van Long Nature Reserve, Vietnam. I used these data to evaluate the hypothesis that limestone langurs are found on karst habitat because they depend on endemic limestone plants. Feeding accounted for 29% of the langurs' activity budget. Young leaves dominated the diet monthly, seasonally, and annually. The annual diet consists of nearly 79% foliage with almost 60% young leaves. Despite a distinct wet and dry season, over the study period, seasonal variation in plant... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3109937 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3109937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3109938&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20777 The geographic distribution of Japanese macaques includes populations with the most northern range of any primate species. Not surprisingly, females of this species are characterized by physiological adaptations and unique fat deposition mechanisms that facilitate their survival through the sometimes-harsh seasonal conditions of temperate climates, as well as sustaining the metabolic costs of mating, pregnancy, and lactation. Here, we explore the relationship between nutritional status, seasonality, and reproductive status using anthropometric and leptin measures from 14 captive female Japanese macaques. No seasonal patterns were found in the levels of leptin, but there were differences between seasons in anthropometric measures, specifically between the beginning and the end of the mating... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3109938 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3109938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3087797&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20783 We describe the results of long-term monitoring of the intestinal parasite fauna of an unprovisioned, reproducing population of chimpanzees introduced 40 years earlier (1966-1969) onto Rubondo Island in Lake Victoria, Tanzania, a non-native habitat for chimpanzees. Two parasitological surveys (March 1997-October 1998 and October 2002-December 2005) identified Entamoeba spp. including E. coli, Iodamoeba buetschlii, Troglodytella abrassarti, Chilomastix mesnili, Trichuris sp., Anatrichosoma sp., Strongyloides spp., Strongylida fam. gen. sp., Enterobius anthropopitheci, Subulura sp., Ascarididae gen. sp., and Protospirura muricola. The parasite fauna of the Rubondo chimpanzees is similar to wild chimpanzees living in their natural habitats, but Rubondo chimpanzees have a lower prevalence of s... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3087797 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3087797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3087798&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20778 We presented adult cottontop tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) with a novel foraging task that had been used previously to examine socially biased learning of juvenile observers [Humle & Snowdon, Animal Behaviour 75:267-277, 2008]. The task could be solved in one of two ways, and thus allowed for an analysis of behavioral matching between an observer and a skilled demonstrator (trained to use one of the two methods exclusively). Because the demonstrator was an adult in both this study and the juvenile study, the influence of the observer's age could be isolated and examined, as well as the behavior of demonstrators toward observers of different ages. Our main goals were to (1) compare adults and juveniles acquiring the same task to identify how the age of the observer affects socially biased lea... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3087798 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3087798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3081462&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20781 This study examined the context and precise morphology of yawns in a group of 11 captive chimpanzees. Focal video sampling was used to describe the morphology and intensity of 124 yawns using ChimpFACS, a system for coding facial movements. Two distinct forms of yawn were identified, a full yawn and a yawn which is modified by additional actions that reduce the mouth aperture. These modified yawns may indicate some degree of voluntary control over facial movement in chimpanzees and, consequently, multiple functions of yawning according to context. To assess context effects, mean activity levels (resting, locomotion, and grooming) and scratching rates were compared one minute before and after each yawn. Locomotion was significantly increased following both types of yawn, whereas scratching ... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3081462 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3081462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3077763&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20782 In this study, we quantified general trends in infant carrying behavior by using a longitudinal database that included 11 years of instantaneous scan observations following 80 births of cotton-top tamarins. Using detailed focal observations on a subset of the same families (10 births) we identified influences that affected expression of infant care at the group and individual levels. Fathers were the primary carriers and paternal carry time gradually decreased with increasing infant age. Paternal carry time also decreased significantly with an increasing number of older sibling helpers. Most fathers began to carry on the first day postpartum. However, we report circumstances in which fathers delayed carrying until almost a month postpartum. Fathers retrieved infants the most, although adul... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3077763 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3077763 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3069567&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20770 Developing effective conservation programs that positively impact the survival of a species while considering the needs of local communities is challenging. Here we present an overview of the conservation program developed by Proyecto Tití to integrate local communities in the conservation of Colombia's critically endangered primate, the cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus). Our comprehensive assessment of the threats effecting the long-term survival of the cotton-top tamarin allowed us to establish the primary components of our program. Proyecto Tití has three areas of emphasis: (1) scientific studies detailing the biology and long-term survival of the cotton-top tamarin, (2) conservation education programs to increase public awareness and conservation knowledge, and (3) community empo... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3069567 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3069567 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3069569&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20764 No Abstract (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3069569 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3069569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3069568&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20776 Lemur grooming has received very little attention in the literature. Nevertheless, allogrooming in lemurs has been suggested to be fundamentally different from the grooming of anthropoids. One reason is that lemurs generally rely on oral rather than manual grooming. Lemur allogrooming has also been suggested to serve less of a social function than has been attributed to anthropoid grooming. I analyzed the allogrooming behaviors of 29 Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) living in five social groups in the Kirindy Forest of Madagascar. Based upon 1,586 observation hours, I found that sifaka, like anthropoids, spend very little time mutual grooming (2±3%). Half of all allogrooming involved parts of the body that could have been easily groomed by the recipient, such as the limbs. Even t... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3069568 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3069568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3054885&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20769 This study examined multiple measures of laterality within subjects in 17 captive-born Garnett's bushbabies (Otolemur garnettii) to assess the consistency of lateralized behaviors and to examine possible influences such as age, posture, novelty, and arousal to elucidate the relations between direction and strength of laterality. We measured reaching, turning bias, scent marking, tail wrapping, leading foot, side-of-mouth preference, and hand use in prey capture. Because autonomic arousal has been invoked as a determinant of strength of lateralization, we included multiple tasks that would allow us to test this hypothesis. All subjects were significantly lateralized on simple reaching tasks (P (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3054885 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3054885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3046819&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20768 Juveniles should choose social partners on the basis of both current and future utility. Where one sex is philopatric, one expects members of that sex to develop greater and sex-typical social integration with group-mates over the juvenile period. Where a partner's position in a dominance hierarchy is not associated with services it can provide, one would not expect juveniles to choose partners based on rank, nor sex differences in rank-based preferences. We tested these ideas on 39 wild juvenile (3.2-7.4 years) blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis stuhlmanni), cercopithecines with strict female philopatry and muted hierarchies. We made focal animal observations over 6 months, and computed observed:expected amounts of proximity time, approaches and grooming given to various social partners. O... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3046819 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3046819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3046821&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20775 According to the principle of competitive exclusion, niche differentiation allows the stable coexistence of closely related species. We analyzed dietary profile and diversity, and dietary overlap between syntopic brown howlers (BR; Alouatta guariba clamitans) and black and gold howlers (BLG; A. caraya) in the Atlantic Forest of NE Argentina, with the objective of evaluating the degree of trophic niche overlap and potential interspecific competition for food. During 12 months, we collected data on feeding behavior of two groups of each howler species using the scan sampling method, together with data on food availability. Both at the group- and species-level, we analyzed feeding behavior in terms of monthly percentages of time spent feeding on each food type and specific food item, dietary ... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3046821 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3046821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3046820&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20771 This article describes the weight of hammers found on anvils and presumably used for nut-cracking by individuals in two groups of wild unprovisioned capuchin monkeys. Hammer weights ranged from less than 200 to over 3 kg. Based on a correlation between the type of broken nuts found at a site and the stones present on anvils, there was evidence that hammer weight differed according to nut size. These findings are consistent with experimental data recently published by Visalberghi et al. [Current Biology 19, 2009, DOI: ] and indicate that capuchins are capable of choosing stones of appropriate weight to effectively use pounding tools in natural environments without interference from humans. Am. J. Primatol. 71:1-6, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3046820 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3046820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3025161&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20780 Primates depend on acoustic signals and cues to avoid predators, locate food, and share information. Accordingly, the structure and function of acoustic stimuli have long been emphasized in studies of primate behavioral and cognitive ecology. Yet, few studies have addressed how well primates hear such stimuli; indeed, the auditory thresholds of most primate species are unknown. This empirical void is due in part to the logistic and economic challenges attendant on traditional behavioral testing methods. Technological advances have produced a safe and cost-effective alternative - the auditory brainstem response (ABR) method, which can be utilized in field conditions, on virtually any animal species, and without subject training. Here we used the ABR and four methods of threshold determinati... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3025161 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3025161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3021456&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20760 This study was carried out in Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary, northeastern India, in winter (December-February) and summer (March and April). We estimated time-activity budget using instantaneous sampling and used continuous focal animal sampling to record all instances and durations of feeding, over a total of 177 hr. Feeding accounted for 22.3±2.2% of the activity budget, with no seasonal difference. Bengal slow lorises fed on exudates, nectar, fruit, bark, invertebrates and avian eggs. In addition to scraping they also obtained exudates by gouging holes into the bark of trees. In winter, lorises almost exclusively fed on exudates (94.3% of winter feeding time). In summer, exudates (67.3%) and nectar from one species (22.3%) dominated the diet. This study identifies the Bengal slow loris as... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3021456 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3021456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3021460&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20772 The dramatic increase in obesity in western societies has shifted the emphasis in nutrition research from the problems of undernutrition to the adverse consequences of being overweight. As with humans, Old World monkeys are at increased risk for type II diabetes and other chronic diseases when they gain excessive weight. To prevent overweight and obesity, promote animal health, and provide a more natural level of fiber in the diet, the standard commercial monkey chow diet at a vervet monkey breeding colony was changed to a higher fiber formulation in 2004. The new diet was also higher in protein and lower in carbohydrate and energy density than the standard diet. Because maternal behavior is known to be sensitive to differences in resource availability, data on weight and mother-infant int... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3021460 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3021460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3021459&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20774 No Abstract (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3021459 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3021459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3021458&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20773 Squirrel monkeys (genus Saimiri) are distributed over a wide area encompassing the Amazon Basin: French Guiana, Suriname, and Guyana, together with Western Panama and Western Costa Rica. The genus Saimiri includes a complex of species and subspecies displaying considerable morphological variation. Taxonomic and systematic studies have identified, in this genus, one to seven species comprising up to 16 subspecies. The phylogenetic relationships between these taxa are poorly understood. Molecular markers have yielded a consistent framework for the systematics of Central and South American Saimiri, identifying four distinct clades: S. oerstedii, S. sciureus, S. boliviensis, and S. ustus. Here, we reconsider the phylogenetic and biogeographic history of Saimiri on the basis of mitochondrial (m... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3021458 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3021458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3021457&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20762 Vocal characteristics have been used extensively to distinguish different taxonomic units of gibbons (family Hylobatidae). The agile gibbon (Hylobates agilis) has a disjunct distribution range in the Southeast Asian archipelago (remnants of the former Sunda landmass), and populations on different islands are currently recognized as distinct subspecies or even species. We recorded great calls from female agile gibbons from two populations on Sumatra and two populations on Borneo and examined the vocal variability on four levels: within-individuals, between-individuals, between-populations and between-islands. The primary objective was to evaluate the effect of geographical isolation on variability in song pattern and to test whether proposed island-specific song characteristics exist, refle... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3021457 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3021457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3002303&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20767 Lemurs are notable for encompassing the range of body-size variation for all primates past and present - close to four orders of magnitude. Benefiting from the phylogenetic proximity of subfossil lemurs to smaller-bodied living forms, we employ allometric data from the skull to probe the ontogenetic bases of size differentiation and morphological diversity across these clades. Building upon prior pairwise comparisons between sister taxa, we performed the first clade-wide analyses of craniomandibular growth allometries in 359 specimens from 10 lemuroids and 176 specimens from 8 indrioids. Ontogenetic trajectories for extant forms were used as a criterion of subtraction to evaluate morphological variation, and putative adaptations among sister taxa. In other words, do species-level differenc... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3002303 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3002303 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2987400&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20763 Spider monkeys (Ateles sp.) live in a flexible fission-fusion social system in which members of a social group are not in constant association, but instead form smaller subgroups of varying size and composition. Patterns of range use in spider monkeys have been described as sex-segregated, with males and females often ranging separately, females utilizing core areas that encompass only a fraction of the entire community range, and males using much larger portions of the community range that overlap considerably with the core areas of females and other males. Males are also reported to use the boundary areas of community home ranges more often than females. Spider monkeys thus seem to parallel the "male-bonded" patterns of ranging and association found among some groups of chimpanzees. Over... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2987400 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2987400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2979668&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20766 Environmental education has evolved over the years to respond to the varied complexities found in the different localities where it is practiced. In many parts of the world where biodiversity is rich, social conditions are poor, so educators have included sustainable development alternatives to better the environment and the livelihoods of local communities. Primate conservation education programs, which are often based in areas that face such challenges, have been a vanguard in creating means to integrate people with their natural environment and thus conquer supporters for the protection of natural habitats. In the search for effectiveness they have adopted evaluation methods to help assess what was offered. An example from Brazil is described in this commentary. Am. J. Primatol. 71:1-4,... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2979668 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2979668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2979669&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20765 This study examines latitudinal and insular variation in the expression of sexual dimorphism in cranial length in three geographical groupings of Macaca fascicularis. In addition, the relationship between cranial length dimorphism (CLD) and sex-specific size is examined. The results of the study identified a significant relationship between CLD and latitude for only one of the three geographic groupings. Sex-specific relationships between cranial length and CLD were detected. The pattern of these relationships varied by geographic grouping. This study is important because it demonstrates that despite very similar levels of CLD in a single primate species, there exists important geographic variability in the correlates of that dimorphism. I suggest that geographically varying ecological fac... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2979669 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2979669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2953242&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20761 We investigated whether sex differences in spatial dynamics correlate with rates of staccato and neigh vocalizations in northern muriquis (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) at the Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural-Feliciano Miguel Abdala, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 2,727 10 min focal subject samples were collected on 32 adult females and 31 adult males between April 2007 and March 2008. Compared with males, females spent a significantly lower proportion of their time in proximity to other group members and gave staccatos at significantly higher rates while feeding, resting, and traveling. Conversely, males emitted neigh vocalizations at significantly higher rates than females when feeding and resting only. Both sexes gave significantly more staccatos when feeding than when they were e... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2953242 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2953242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2933237&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20757 Chimpanzees are well known for their territorial behavior. Males who belong to the same community routinely patrol their territories, occasionally making deep incursions into those of their neighbors. Male chimpanzees may obtain several fitness benefits by participating in territorial boundary patrols, but patrolling is also likely to involve fitness costs. Patrollers risk injury or even death, and patrols may be energetically costly and may involve opportunity costs. Although territorial patrols have been reported at all long-term chimpanzee study sites, quantitative data on their energetic costs have not previously been available. I evaluated the energy costs of patrolling for male chimpanzees at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda during 14 months of observation. In 29 patrols and match... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2933237 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2933237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2918491&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20758 The resolution of the ambiguity surrounding the taxonomy of Aotus means data on newly classified species are urgently needed for conservation efforts. We conducted a study on the Panamanian owl monkey (Aotus zonalis) between May and July 2008 at three localities in Chagres National Park, located east of the Panama Canal, using the line transect method to quantify abundance and distribution. Vegetation surveys were also conducted to provide a baseline quantification of the three habitat types. We observed 33 individuals within 16 groups in two out of the three sites. Population density was highest in Campo Chagres with 19.7 individuals/km2 and intermediate densities of 14.3 individuals/km2 were observed at Cerro Azul. In la Llana A. zonalis was not found to be present. The presence of A. zo... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2918491 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2918491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2918494&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20749 Wildlife films have become an integral part of broadcast schedules in developed countries. As charismatic mammals, primates are frequently the focus of the wildlife filmmaker's attention. Yet the people watching these films tend to be situated on different continents from the species concerned. Communities in primate habitat countries are unlikely to ever have the opportunity to gain such an insight into the species with which they share their environment and the threats these species face. Over recent years, an increasing number of filmmakers are realizing the importance of reaching local audiences through film for conservation purposes. Published research on the impact films can have on eliciting conservation action in developed or developing countries is minimal. The perceived power of ... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2918494 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2918494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2918493&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20753 We examined the literature on the effects of habitat fragmentation and disturbance on howler monkeys (genus Alouatta) to (1) identify different threats that may affect howlers in fragmented landscapes; (2) review specific predictions developed in fragmentation theory and (3) identify the empirical evidence supporting these predictions. Although howlers are known for their ability to persist in both conserved and disturbed conditions, we found evidence that they are negatively affected by high levels of habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation. Patch size appears to be the main factor constraining populations in fragmented habitats, probably because patch size is positively related to food availability, and negatively related to anthropogenic pressures, physiological stress and parasite ... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2918493 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2918493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2918492&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20759 We examined the effects of extreme seasonality on the activity budget and diet of wild chacma baboons with access to a high-quality, human-derived food source. The Cape Peninsula of South Africa is unusual among nonhuman primate habitats due to its seasonal extremes in day length and climate. Winter days are markedly shorter and colder than summer days but have higher rainfall and higher primary production of annually flowering plants. This combination of fewer daylight hours but higher rainfall is substantially different from the ecological constraints faced by both equatorial baboon populations and those living in temperate climates with summer rainfall. We sought to understand how these seasonal differences affect time budgets of food-enhanced troops in comparison to both other food-enh... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2918492 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2918492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2892883&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20754 The golden-crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) is an endangered lemur species found only in the Daraina region, a very restricted area in north-eastern Madagascar. Its forest habitat is highly fragmented and expected to suffer from significant changes in the near future. The species is poorly known and only one census study, carried out in 2000, has ever been published. It is thus crucial to update the conservation status of the golden-crowned sifaka before major anthropogenic environmental changes take place. Using the line-transect approach, we estimated the species density in the main forest fragments located in both the peripheral and central parts of the distribution range, including both protected and unprotected areas. In parallel, we tried to determine whether an edge effect c... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2892883 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2892883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2888890&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20756 Males and females of many species sex-segregate, ranging from complete separation of habitats to social segregation within the same space, sometimes varying across seasons and lifespan development. Mechanisms for such segregation are not well understood, though some have suggested that sex differences in preferred juvenile behaviors lead to greater behavioral compatibility within than between sexes. This within-sex behavioral compatibility may be the source of sex-segregation. As juvenile behavioral sex differences are well-documented in rhesus monkeys, we examined sex-segregation patterns of yearling rhesus monkeys engaged in three different types of behavior: rough play, parallel play, and grooming. We observed male and female rhesus yearlings from five stable long-term age-graded social... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2888890 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2888890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2888891&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20755 This article reports on the macronutrient milk composition (fat, crude protein (CP), lactose, dry matter (DM), and total gross energy (GE)) of captive housed tufted capuchins (Cebus apella) (n=8). C. apella milk averaged 5.22% fat, 2.40% CP, 6.94% lactose, 16.48% DM, and 0.89 kcal/g. Fat was the most variable macronutrient and was significantly higher in samples collected after 2 months of lactation. To explore the adaptive significance of C. apella milk composition, results were compared with data on milk composition from a closely related cebid, Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis, and another large-brained anthropoid, Homo sapiens. C. apella milk was only significantly different from Saimiri milk in CP and the proportion of energy from CP. Compared with human milk, C. apella milk was lower ... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2888891 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2888891 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2844860&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20752 Studies of social learning in the wild are important to complement findings from experiments in captivity. In this field study, immature Bornean orangutans rarely foraged independently but consistently followed their mothers' choices. Their diets were essentially identical to their mothers' even though not all mothers had the same diet. This suggests vertical transmission of diet by enhancement. Also, immatures selectively observed their mothers during extractive foraging, which increased goal-directed practice but not general manipulation of similar objects, suggesting observational forms of learning of complex skills. Teaching was not observed. These results are consistent with the reported presence of food traditions and skill cultures in wild orangutans. We suggest that food traditions... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2844860 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2844860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2844859&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20751 In this study, we tested for the presence/absence of cyanide in bamboo lemur foods and excreta to (1) document patterns of cyanide consumption among species with respect to diet, (2) identify routes of elimination of cyanide from the gastrointestinal tract, and (3) determine whether cyanide is absorbed from the diet. We tested 102 food, urine, and fecal samples for hydrogen cyanide (HCN) during two "pre-dry" seasons (April 2006, May 2007) using commercially available Cyantesmo test strips. The test strips changed color in the presence of HCN, and we recorded color change on a scale of 0 (no change) to 5 (cobalt) at preset intervals with a final score taken at 24 hr. We detected cyanide in bamboo food parts and urine of all three Hapalemur species. Time to color change of the test strips ra... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2844859 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2844859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2844858&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20748 We present data on the behavior of single and mixed species groups of capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) housed at the Living Links to Human Evolution Research Centre in the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Edinburgh Zoo. These species associate in the wild, gaining foraging benefits and decreased predation. But Cebus are also predators themselves with potential risks for the smaller Saimiri. To study their living together we took scan samples at [ge]15 min intervals on single (n=109) and mixed species groups (n=152), and all occurrences of intraspecific aggression and interspecific interactions were recorded. We found no evidence of chronic stress and Saimiri actively chose to associate with Cebus. On 79% of scans, the two species simultaneously ... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2844858 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2844858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2841082&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20750 The use of leaf nests has been documented in several mouse lemur species over the last few decades, including the golden-brown mouse lemur. Nest construction, however, has only rarely been observed and detailed descriptions of this process are lacking so far. We aim to determine the relative importance of leaf nests as shelters for the golden-brown mouse lemur, and to test predictions concerning the role of thermoregulation, safety (i.e., protection of infants), and of interspecific competition with the sympatric gray mouse lemurs in regulating nest use. Finally, we intend to clarify whether and how Microcebus ravelobensis constructs the nests, and we provide physical descriptions of seven leaf nests. Nocturnal focal observations were carried out from May 2007 to January 2008 on 18 females... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2841082 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2841082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2817543&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20746 Previous studies in human and chimpanzee infants have identified a predictive relationship between early rightward head orientation and later right hand use. Data from lemurs suggest a leftward bias in hand preference, but there are no data on head positioning. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between head and hand preferences in the black and white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata variegata). Ruffed lemurs rotate the head vertically during chewing in a behavior called head-tilting. Frequency of head-tilting and bouts of unimanual hand use were measured during normal feeding in a semi-free-ranging population of lemurs. Subjects were provisioned at feeding platforms twice daily with fresh fruits, vegetables, and other food items. Sampling was spontaneous and all obse... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2817543 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2817543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2809084&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20747 This article reports the first genetic study of the mating system of the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana), an endemic and endangered species in China. The investigation was carried out in a population (WRT) in the Qinling Mountains using data from both field observation and paternity analysis through microsatellite DNA profiling. During a mating season, a male on an average copulated with 5.7 females. Approximately 18% of the females were observed to copulate with more than one male over the study period. The majority of copulations (94.5%) were initiated by females. Twenty-eight of 430 observed matings were extra-unit copulations. Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were used for paternity analysis. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from 3 to 7 (mean=4.3). Ob... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2809084 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2809084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2802728&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20741 The two species of Pan, bonobos and common chimpanzees, have been reported to have different social organization, cognitive and linguistic abilities and motor skill, despite their close biological relationship. Here, we examined whether bonobos and chimpanzee differ in selected brain regions that may map to these different social and cognitive abilities. Eight chimpanzees and eight bonobos matched on age, sex and rearing experiences were magnetic resonance images scanned and volumetric measures were obtained for the whole brain, cerebellum, striatum, motor-hand area, hippocampus, inferior frontal gyrus and planum temporale. Chimpanzees had significantly larger cerebellum and borderline significantly larger hippocampus and putamen, after adjusting for brain size, compared with bonobos. Bono... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2802728 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2802728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2784603&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20742 In this study, we examined ring-tailed lemurs from the Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve (BMSR), southern Madagascar for exposure to organochlorine (OC) pesticides and metals and examined differences in contaminant concentrations between sexes and among age groups, troops, and habitats. A total of 14 pesticides and 13 metals was detected in lemur blood (24 individuals) and hair (65 individuals) samples, respectively. p,p[prime]-DDT, heptachlor, aldrin, heptachlor epoxide, endrin aldehyde, and endrin were among the most prevalent pesticides detected. Surprisingly, the persistent metabolite of p,p[prime]-DDT, p,p[prime]-DDE, was not detected. The most commonly detected metals were aluminum, zinc, boron, phosphorus, silicon, and copper, whereas metals considered more hazardous to wildlife (e.g. a... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2784603 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2784603 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2784604&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20745 Sulawesi island has a high level of endemism, including the seven species of monkey from the genus Macaca (macaques). These monkeys have a pair of sitting pads, termed ischial callosities that have diverse shapes and previously were described verbally only. Although useful, these verbal descriptions cannot fully describe shape variation and are somewhat subjective, and cannot directly be used to analyze relationships among species. Here, we report a quantitative analysis of shape of Sulawesi macaque ischial callosities using geometric morphometric tools to optimally describe shape variation and objectively reconstruct general pattern of callosity shapes. By quantification of shape variation, we compare the relationships of each Sulawesi macaque species with each other and with the two geog... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2784604 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2784604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2780733&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20739 The primate placenta produces a wide variety of hormones throughout gestation that regulate placental function and fetal growth. One such hormone is insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II), a peptide implicated in cell division, differentiation, and amino acid transport. IGF-II concentrations were measured in 23 common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) term placentas from twin and triplet litters in order to determine whether previously described differences in fetoplacental phenotype such as placental and litter mass and placental surface area were related to differences in endocrine function. IGF-II was extracted from frozen tissue samples and measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit designed for human tissue, which was validated for marmoset placenta. IGF-II concentrations wer... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2780733 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2780733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2760573&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20744 We report the use of a tool set in army ant predation by chimpanzees in the Goualougo Triangle, Republic of Congo. We recovered 1,060 tools used in this context and collected 25 video recordings of chimpanzee tool-using behavior at ant nests. Two different types of tools were distinguished based on their form and function. The chimpanzees use a woody sapling to perforate the ant nest, and then a herb stem as a dipping tool to harvest the ants. All of the species of ants preyed upon in Goualougo are present and consumed by chimpanzees at other sites, but there are no other reports of such a regular or widespread use of more than one type of tool to prey upon Dorylus ants. Furthermore, this tool set differs from other types of tool combinations used by chimpanzees at this site for preying up... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2760573 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2760573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2755548&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20737 Wild common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) feed on fruits, insects, and gums, all of which provide different digestive challenges. Much of the ingested mass of fruits consists of seeds. In general, seeds represent indigestible bulk to marmosets and could inhibit feeding if they are not eliminated rapidly. In contrast, gums are [beta]-linked polysaccharides that require microbial fermentation. Their digestion would benefit from an extended residence time within the gut. Earlier research found that mean retention time (MRT) for a liquid digestive marker (cobalt EDTA) was significantly longer than MRT for a particulate marker (chromium-mordanted fiber), suggesting that common marmosets preferentially retain liquid digesta. We conducted two four-day-long digestion trials on 13 individually hou... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2755548 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2755548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2750408&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20740 We present some of the first data on social behavior for this genus based on a study on Cacajao calvus ucayalii. They traveled in multimale multifemale groups of highly variable sizes, with bachelor units on the periphery. Adult males were affiliative, and adult females associated with more than one adult male. Adult females typically traveled with their dependent offspring and an older juvenile within the group. In parties of two or more males, individuals engaged in previously unreported display behaviors and acted together to aggressively chase other males. Breeding was seasonal, and mating occurred away from other group members. We speculate on the social organization of C. calvus ucayalii, in which dispersal may be bisexual and peripheral males are affiliative with one another. Affili... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2750408 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2750408 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2750409&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20743 Human females, unlike most mammals, are sexually active outside of fertile periods. This decoupling of sexual behavior from its conceptive function has had an enormous impact on human social relationships, and yet we know little about why there was selection for nonconceptive mating. Here we examine one form of nonconceptive mating, the mating that occurs during pregnancy or post-conceptive (PC) mating, in wild western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla). Using a near complete mating record for five females during gestation, we show that pregnant females varied in the timing and frequency of mating, and used PC mating conditionally, synchronizing copulations to occur on days when other females mated, and refraining from mating for lengthy periods when no other females mated. As pregnant females mat... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2750409 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2750409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2710915&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20738 To study the geographic distribution and demographic characteristics of Pithecia aequatorialis in Peruvian Amazonia, we undertook surveys and transect census in three river basins (Río Itaya, Río Tigre and Río Curaray) between 2004 and 2008. A total of 123 groups of P. aequatorialis was encountered during 1623 km of transect walks. Group size was uniform among the three areas (3.4-3.6 individuals), but surprisingly, population densities were higher in the area with strong hunting pressure (Río Itaya: 7.8 ind./km2, vs. 5.6 and 5.9 km2 in the Río Tigre and Río Curaray basins, respectively). The most common group composition included an adult pair with one offspring. Groups with more than one adult male and/or female accounted for 35% of sightings. Our observations extend P. aequatorial... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2710915 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2710915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2710916&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20735 No Abstract (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2710916 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2710916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2693927&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20732 This study investigates the extent of coexistence of two congeneric species of Microcebus murinus (MUR) and M. ravelobensis (RAV) in northwestern Madagascar. Their presence and local relative population densities were determined by capturing and nocturnal transect counts and compared at 22 study sites in the Ankarafantsika National Park. All sites were characterized with regard to their altitude, access to surface water, and 19 structural vegetation characteristics. RAV and MUR were not equally distributed over this regional scale. RAV occurred in more sites and at higher maximum densities than MUR. The relative population densities of both species were significantly and negatively correlated with each other. Whereas the relative population densities of MUR increased with altitude and were... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2693927 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2693927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2680515&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20736 Hamadryas baboons are known for their complex, multi-level social structure consisting of troops, bands, and one-male units (OMUs) [Kummer, 1968. Social organization of hamadryas baboons. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. 189p]. Abegglen [1984. On socialization in hamadryas baboons: a field study. Lewisburg, PA: Bucknell University Press. 207p.] observed a fourth level of social structure comprising several OMUs that rested near one another on sleeping cliffs, traveled most closely together during daily foraging, and sometimes traveled as subgroups independently from the rest of the band. Abegglen called these associations "clans" and suggested that they consisted of related males. Here we confirm the existence of clans in a second wild hamadryas population, a band of about 200 bab... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2680515 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2680515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2669606&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20734 The newly described Arunachal macaque Macaca munzala occurs largely in sub-tropical to temperate environments at elevations of c. 1,800-3,000 m in Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. We studied its over-wintering strategy by comparing the diet, ranging, and behavior of a troop of 24 individuals during winter and spring (December 2005 to May 2006) through instantaneous scan sampling (3,002 records, 448 scans, 112 hr of observation). We also monitored the phenology of food plants. The macaques spent more time (41-66%) feeding in the winter than in spring (33-51%), whereas time spent moving and resting was greater in spring. The diet composed largely of plants, with animal matter being eaten rarely. The number of plant species in the diet increased from 18 to 25 whereas food types rose fro... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2669606 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2669606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2643672&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20729 This study was performed to develop microsatellite DNA markers, which are useful for linkage analyses, gene mapping and blood chimera analyses in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). We searched 153 of 295 bacterial artificial clone DNA sequences of the common marmoset that were archived in the NCBI database in 2004. On the basis of the search, we designed 186 PCR primer sets. When tested using 5 unrelated individuals, we successfully detected 154 markers with PCR products, of which 80 (52%) were polymorphic and 74 (48%) were monomorphic. We assigned each of the 154 markers to a human chromosome based on BLAST searches, which was achieved by searching the entire human genome sequences using an [sim]3 kb section of each forward primer sequence, including [sim]1.5 kb of the upstream and... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2643672 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2643672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2604553&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20726 Although the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of conservation education programs cannot be underestimated, few evaluations of these programs and their resulting impact on the environment have been conducted. A partnership between scientists, educators, and local administrators on an evaluation program has been developed to evaluate a model of education program evaluation that includes short- and long-term evaluation of (1) knowledge and attitude change, (2) behavior change, and (3) positive biological impact. Previous work has shown short-term knowledge retention from this education program. In the current study follow-up evaluations were collected from students at 14 schools outside the Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Uganda. By comparing performance 30 days, 1 year and 2 years after th... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2604553 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2604553 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2600201&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20727 We describe chimpanzee seed dispersal in the tropical montane forest of Nyungwe National Park (NNP), Rwanda, for a total of three years from January 1998 through May 2000 and May 2006 through March 2007. Relatively few studies have examined chimpanzee seed dispersal in montane communities where there are generally fewer fruiting tree species than in lowland forests. Such studies may reveal new insights into chimpanzee seed dispersal behaviors and the role that they play in forest regeneration processes. Chimpanzees are large-bodied, highly frugivorous, and tend to deposit the seeds of both large- and small-seeded fruits they consume in a viable state. We found that chimpanzees dispersed a total of 37 fruiting species (20 families) in their feces, 35% of which were large-seeded trees ([ge]0... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2600201 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2600201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2596755&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20730 We examined vigilance in one group of Colobus vellerosus inhabiting the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in Ghana. We aimed to (1) describe factors affecting vigilance in this population, and (2) examine the importance of predation avoidance and conspecific threat in explaining vigilance patterns. Because of a male takeover preceding the study, our focal group (B2) consisted of six adult males and three adult females. We collected 490 10-min focal samples (82 hr) from all adults in the group (N=9) from July to November, 2001. To avoid predators, individuals should be more vigilant (i) with fewer neighbors, and (ii) in areas of the canopy with higher predation risks. Conspecific threats can be divided into extra- and intra-group threats. Extra-group threats should lead to higher vigilance lev... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2596755 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2596755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2596756&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20731 No Abstract (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2596756 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2596756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2582765&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20728 No Abstract (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2582765 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2582765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2482285&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20722 Female cynomolgus monkeys are excellent models for understanding cardiovascular disease and the relationships between inflammatory processes and conditions such as atherogenesis. This review summarizes published research findings obtained through comprehensive, multidisciplinary, multi-investigator studies in nonhuman primates over the past two decades. These studies examined the effects of exogenous estrogens and dietary soy protein/isoflavones (IFs) on atherosclerosis, circulating biomarkers, and tissue inflammation in pre- and postmenopausal female cynomolgus monkeys. Inflammation may play a role in the initiation and progression of disease, be a consequence of the disease, or both. Circulating and tissue biomarkers with inflammatory and anti-inflammatory characteristics (including adhe... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2482285 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2482285 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2482288&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20724 No Abstract (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2482288 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2482288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2482287&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20723 No Abstract (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2482287 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2482287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2482286&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20718 Urinalysis is an emerging method for monitoring the health and energy balance of wild primates. Here, we report the first urinalysis of wild gibbons. We used multi-reagent test strips to monitor the health status of 52 individual white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) inhabiting Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. Most urinary reference values were within normal ranges; however, regardless of age- and sex-class or monthly fruit productivity, we found unexpectedly high rates of urinary leukocytes (50% and 90% of individuals in 2001-2003 and 2006, respectively). In contrast to previous studies of African apes, this finding is coupled with the near absence of urinary nitrites, demonstrating pervasive levels of sterile pyuria. This result is the first reported case of sterile pyuria in a populatio... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2482286 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2482286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2466564&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20720 This special issue of AJP is focused on research using nonhuman primates as models to further the understanding of women's health. Nonhuman primates play a unique role in translational science by bridging the gap between basic and clinical investigations. The use of nonhuman primates in biomedical research challenges our resolve to treat all life as sacred. The scientific community has responded by developing ethical guidelines for the care and the use of primates and clarifying the responsibility of investigators to insure the physical and psychological well-being of nonhuman primates used in research. Preclinical investigations often involve the use of animal models. Rodent models have been the mainstay of biomedical science and have provided enormous insight into the workings of many ma... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2466564 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2466564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2461637&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20721 We examined 227 conflicts in three family groups (N=19). Instances in which individuals remained together in t=0 (29; 12.8%) were not analyzed. The cotton-top tamarins showed heightened affiliation between opponents in the postconflict periods (PC) compared with matched control (MC) periods (39.88±5.12% and 3.18±1.27%, respectively), with a corrected conciliatory tendency of 37.17±5.37%, and a "time window" that included the first 180 sec of the PC period. Former opponents were the most likely recipient of affiliative behaviors during the PC periods: 39.83±4.26% vs. 11.36±5.33% during MC periods. The proportion of attracted pairs (47.13±6.25%) was significantly higher than those of dispersed pairs for male-male conflicts (3.79±1.79), but not for male-female conflicts (27.31±9.32 an... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2461637 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:09:27 +0100 2461637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2461639&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20717 In this study, we combined behavioral and endocrine data of 14 female Japanese macaques to examine the relationship between ovarian cycle phase and frequency of sexual behaviors, and to investigate how social rank influences sexual behavior in this species. We found that there was no increase in female proceptive behaviors during the fertile phase of the ovarian cycle, suggesting that female behaviors did not clearly signal the probability of conception. In spite of that, the frequencies of ejaculatory copulations were highest during this phase, indicating that the attractivity of females increased significantly during the period with higher probability of conception. Males, and especially the highest ranking male, were able to discriminate females nearing ovulation and to concentrate thei... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2461639 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2461639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2461638&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20725 No Abstract (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2461638 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2461638 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2451199&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20715 Currently, the nonhuman primate is the most widely used large animal model to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new drug entities to treat or prevent estrogen-deficiency-induced bone loss and osteoporosis. Surgical ovariectomy (OVX) induces a state of high bone turnover and rapid bone loss establishing a new steady-state bone mass within 8-9 months. Many systems in the monkey are similar to humans, including skeletal and reproductive physiology and the immune system, making this a plausible model suitable to evaluate the effects of new bone drugs. The long-term sequelae following OVX and withdrawal of monthly exposure to cyclic reproductive hormones in older female monkeys (cynomolgus and rhesus) mimics estrogen depletion and postmenopausal bone loss occurring in women. Characterization ... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2451199 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2451199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2451200&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20719 In this study, we examined the time frame of reciprocal partner choice in the grooming interactions of captive mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) in order to test the hypothesis that the cognitive limitations of primates constrain the occurrence of reciprocation to short time intervals. In contrast to this hypothesis, mandrills groomed preferentially those individuals that groomed them more even when cases of immediate reciprocation were excluded from the analysis. These results show that mandrills were not limited to reciprocating grooming over short time intervals. It is proposed that a system of emotional bookkeeping may support the ability of primates to reciprocate over long time frames. Am. J. Primatol. 71:1-5, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2451200 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2451200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2451201&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20713 We report on the first evidence of intra-community coalitionary lethal aggression in muriquis (Brachyteles). The event occurred in southern muriquis (Brachyteles arachnoides) during a long-term study (>15 years) of two social groups inhabiting mostly pristine Atlantic forest habitat in the Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho, southern São Paulo State, Brazil. The attack took place deep in the core area of the Group Caetê home range. Tense agonistic behaviors and vocalizations preceded the lethal coalitionary attack, and the tension increased over a 36-48 hr period. One adult female and two unidentified individuals also took part in a coalition led by six adult males. The members of the coalition collectively approached, embraced, immobilized and repeatedly bit the entire body of an adult male... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2451201 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2451201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2444960&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20716 Nutritional interventions are important for reducing obesity and related conditions. Soy is a good source of protein and also contains isoflavones that may affect plasma lipids, body weight, and insulin action. Described here are data from a monkey breeding colony in which monkeys were initially fed a standard chow diet that is low fat with protein derived from soy. Monkeys were then randomized to a defined diet with a fat content similar to the typical American diet (TAD) containing either protein derived from soy (TAD soy) or casein-lactalbumin (TAD casein). The colony was followed for over two years to assess body weight, and carbohydrate and lipid measures in adult females (n=19) and their offspring (n=25). Serum isoflavone concentrations were higher with TAD soy than TAD casein, but n... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2444960 Sat, 30 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2444960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2444961&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20714 One of the great underlying assumptions made by all scientists utilizing primate models for their research is that the optimal nutritional status and health of the animals in use has been achieved. That is, no nutrient deficiency or excess has compromised their health in any detectable way. To meet this assumption, we rely on the National Research Council's (NRC's) nutritional recommendations for nonhuman primates to provide accurate guidance for proper dietary formulations. We also rely on feed manufacturers to follow these guidelines. With that in mind, the purpose of this commentary is to discuss three related points that we believe have significant ramifications for the health and well being of captive primates as well as for their effective use in biomedical research. First, our labor... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2444961 Fri, 29 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2444961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2444962&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20710 Humans and long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) interface in several locations in Singapore. We investigated six of these interface zones to assess the level of conflict between the two species. We observed macaque-to-human interactions and distributed questionnaires to residents and visitors of nature reserves. We observed an average of two macaque-to-human interactions per hour at the sites, which included affiliative or submissive behaviors (46.9%), aggression (19.1%), taking food and other items (18.5%) searching bins, cars, and houses (13.4%), and nonaggressive contact (2.1%). Two-thirds of interactions occurred when a human was carrying food or food cues, and one-quarter occurred when a human provoked macaques. Only 8% of interactions occurred without a clear human-triggered co... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2444962 Thu, 28 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2444962 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2438358&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20711 A large body of theoretical and empirical research suggests that kinship influences the development and maintenance of social bonds among group-living female mammals, and that human females may be unusual in the extent to which individuals form differentiated social relationships with nonrelatives. Here we combine behavioral observations of party association, spatial proximity, grooming, and space use with extensive molecular genetic analyses to determine whether female chimpanzees form strong social bonds with unrelated individuals of the same sex. We compare our results with those obtained from male chimpanzees who live in the same community and have been shown to form strong social bonds with each other. We demonstrate that party association is as good a predictor of spatial proximity a... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2438358 Thu, 28 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2438358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2438359&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20705 Many postmenopausal women question whether to start or continue hormone therapy because of recent clinical trial negative results. However, evidence from other studies of postmenopausal women, and from studies in menopausal monkeys, indicate that estrogen has neurocognitive protective effects, particularly when therapy is initiated close to the time of menopause before neural systems become increasingly compromised with age. In this review, we present studies of menopausal women and female monkeys that support the concept that estrogen therapies protect both cognitive function and neurobiological processes. Am. J. Primatol. 71:1-8, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2438359 Wed, 27 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2438359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2438360&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20712 Within phylogenetic limits reproductive characteristics of a given species may vary between populations in response to ecological and social factors. For instance, in environments where high quality nutrition is readily available, the onset and speed of reproduction are often accelerated. Other influencing factors might be maternal experience or the sex of the infant. Here we present data on reproductive characteristics for the silvered leaf monkey (Trachypithecus cristatus), a medium-sized Asian colobine housed at the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo as a one-male group. To place the species into an appropriate phylogenetic context, we limited our comparison to other colobine species. Demographic data span 21.4 years (October 1985 to March 2007) and derive from 30 adult females (... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2438360 Tue, 26 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2438360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2430690&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20699 The purpose of this study is to describe the anatomy and obtain echographic measurements of normal kidneys in brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus). The anatomical findings show that brown lemur kidneys are comparable to those of rats except for an elongated papilla. The kidneys of 16 (7 females and 9 males) lemurs were examined with two-dimensional and power Doppler ultrasonography under general anesthesia. Morphometrically, the left and right kidney surface areas are comparable (3.29 and 3.51 cm2). Kidney area has a significant linear correlation with body weight. Echo-Doppler findings show that the mean renal arterial blood flow speeds for the left and right kidneys are comparable (0.70 and 0.73 m/s). However, flow speed is higher in the male (0.79 m/s) than in the female (0.60 m/s). The renal ... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2430690 Sun, 24 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2430690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2430691&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20691 Flowers are included in the diets of many primates, but are not generally regarded as making an important contribution to primate energy budgets. However, observations of a number of lemur, platyrrhine, and cercopithecine populations suggest that some flower species may function as key primate fallback foods in periods of low abundance of preferred foods (generally ripe fruits), and that flowers may be preferred foods in some cases. I report heavy reliance on flowers during some study months for a siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) population in southern Sumatra. Siamangs at Way Canguk spent 12% of feeding time eating flowers from October 2000 to August 2002, and in 1 month flower-feeding time exceeded 40% of total feeding time. The overall availabilities of fig and nonfig fruits, flowers,... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2430691 Wed, 20 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2430691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2420628&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20707 More than 25 years ago our laboratory reported sex-dependent relationships between social status and coronary artery atherosclerosis among cholesterol-fed cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) maintained in social groups of four to six animals each. Dominant males developed more atherosclerosis than subordinates, but only if housed in recurrently reorganized social groups. In contrast, dominant females developed significantly less atherosclerosis than subordinates, irrespective of social setting. Although we have continued to study these associations, no confirmatory investigations have been reported by other laboratories or using other atherosclerosis-susceptible monkey species. Accordingly, we conducted a meta-analysis of all relevant data sources developed in our laboratory since 198... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2420628 Tue, 19 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2420628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2420631&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20708 Owing to its high temporal sensitivity, saliva has distinct advantages for measuring steroids, compared with other noninvasive samples such as urine and feces. Here, we report the validity of assaying salivary cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in captive male chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes. For both the C and T concentrations, we found positive relationships between saliva and plasma. The concentrations of C and T in saliva showed clear patterns of diurnal fluctuation, whereas those in urine and feces did not. These results suggest that the salivary steroid concentrations can be regarded as good indicators of circulating steroid levels. We also developed and validated an efficient method for collecting saliva samples from cotton... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2420631 Mon, 18 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2420631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2420630&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20706 Abdominal obesity is prevalent and often accompanied by an array of metabolic perturbations including elevated blood pressure, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance or insulin resistance, a prothrombotic state, and a proinflammatory state, together referred to as the metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome greatly increases coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Social stress also increases CHD although the mechanisms through which this occurs are not completely understood. Chronic stress may result in sustained glucocorticoid production, which is thought to promote visceral obesity. Thus, one hypothesis is that social stress may cause visceral fat deposition and the metabolic syndrome, which, in turn increases CHD. CHD is caused by coronary artery atherosclerosis (CAA) and its sequelae.... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2420630 Mon, 18 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2420630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2420629&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20709 In higher primates, increased circulating follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels seen during late menstrual cycle and during menstruation has been suggested to be necessary for initiation of follicular growth, recruitment of follicles and eventually culminating in ovulation of a single follicle. With a view to establish the dynamics of circulating FSH secretion with that of inhibin A (INH A) and progesterone (P4) secretions during the menstrual cycle, blood was collected daily from bonnet monkeys beginning day 1 of the menstrual cycle up to 35 days. Serum INH A levels were low during early follicular phase, increased significantly coinciding with the mid cycle luteinizing hormone (LH) surge to reach maximal levels during the mid luteal phase before declining at the late luteal phase, es... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2420629 Mon, 18 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2420629 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2410167&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20702 Among primates that form multilevel societies, understanding factors and mechanisms associated with the movement of individuals between groups, clans, and one-male social units offers important insight into primate reproductive and social strategies. In this research we present data based on an 8-year field study of a multilevel troop of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Qinling Mountains of China. Our study troop contained 78-126 individuals, and was usually organized into 6-8 one-male units (OMU). The majority of OMUs were composed of networks of unrelated females and their offspring. We found that 59.7% (43/72) of subadult and adult females in our study troop transferred between OMUs (n=66) or disappeared (n=7) from the troop. In the majority of cases, two or m... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2410167 Fri, 15 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2410167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2410171&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20686 In conclusion, all hypotheses concerning the function of singing are supported by at least some of the data, and none can be excluded. Am. J. Primatol. 71:1-9, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2410171 Mon, 11 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2410171 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2410170&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20700 In this study we analyzed the relationship between the availability of both big trees of top food taxa (BTTFT) (diameter at breast height>60) and fruit of top food taxa (FrTFT) in the home ranges of two groups of Alouatta palliata mexicana occupying different forest fragments in Los Tuxtlas, Mexico, and their diet and activity pattern. Both study groups preferred big trees for feeding and the group with lower availability of BTTFT in their home range fed from more, smaller food sources. Furthermore, both study groups also increased the number of food sources when their consumption of fruit decreased, and the group with lower availability of FrTFT in their home range fed from more food sources. The increase in the number of food sources used under such conditions, in turn, set up a process ... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2410170 Mon, 11 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2410170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2410169&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20704 For managers of captive populations it is important to know whether their management provides a species with the physical and social environment that maximizes its survivorship. To determine this, survivorship comparisons with wild populations and long-term evaluations of captive populations are important. Here we provide both for orangutans. We show that survivorship has increased during the past 60 years for captive orangutan populations in zoos. In addition, we show that survivorship of captive orangutans in the past used to be lower than for wild orangutans, but that for recently born (1986-2005) orangutans survivorship is not significantly different from the wild. This indicates that captive management in the past was suboptimal for orangutan survivorship, but that modern management o... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2410169 Mon, 11 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2410169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2410168&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20703 Captive environments encompass various factors that can elevate stress levels and jeopardize the wellbeing of the captive animals. The use of positive reinforcement training (PRT) techniques enables researchers and caretakers to reduce tension directly associated with potentially stressful procedures and states. The current study tested the general effect of PRT on the wellbeing of zoo-housed chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) by measuring behaviors that reflect poor and good welfare and that were not directly connected to the specific aim of the training session. The behavior of a group of twelve chimpanzees was measured throughout the day from the exhibition yard, at baseline (12 weeks) and during the PRT period (10 weeks). The results show a significant decrease in abnormal and stress-relate... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2410168 Mon, 11 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2410168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2401298&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20698 Increased human population growth and more conversions of natural habitat to agricultural land have resulted in greater proximity between humans and nonhuman primate species. Consequent increases in resource competition including crop-raiding are a by-product of both natural resources becoming less available and the nutritional benefits of cultivated foods becoming more known to the nonhuman primates. Chimpanzees at Bossou in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa, consume 17 different types of cultivated foods that are grown extensively throughout their small, fragmented home range. Direct observations of feeding behavior conducted over an 18-month period revealed that during specific months crops account for up to one quarter of chimpanzee feeding time, with higher overall crop-raiding leve... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2401298 Sun, 10 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2401298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2401299&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20701 Gelada baboons are the sole survivors of the genus Theropithecus and the only known graminivorous primates. They developed special adaptations to their diet such as high-crowned teeth for processing hard and abrasive feed. The fine-tuning of salivary protein composition might be another key mechanism that is used by species for adapting to the environment and competing with rivals for exploiting new ecological niches. In order to test whether gelada (graminivorous) and hamadryas baboons (omnivorous) differ in their salivary protein composition, we compared whole saliva samples of captive Theropithecus gelada and Papio hamadryas using gel electrophoresis and tannin-binding assay. We hypothesized that the amount of proline-rich salivary proteins with tannin-binding capacity is higher in babo... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2401299 Fri, 08 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2401299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2394699&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20689 This study examines the potential linkage between social organization and trauma in a sample of cercopithecids from Cameroon. Skeletal trauma is described in a museum collection of eight sympatric monkey species. Macroscopic analysis was carried out on a total of 139 complete skeletons of mangabeys, colobines and guenons. Species in multi-male groups were found to have higher fracture frequencies than those in uni-male groups. These higher frequencies may be related to intra-specific male-male aggression; however, similarities in fracture patterning between males and females in multi-male groups suggest that other factors may be involved. Although fracture etiology may not be identified with certainty, this study suggests that predation may indirectly be a cause of traumatic injuries in th... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2394699 Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2394699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2378955&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20690 Although primates are hunted on a global scale, some species are protected against harassment and killing by taboos or religious doctrines. Sites where the killing of sacred monkeys or the destruction of sacred groves is forbidden may be integral to the conservation of certain species. In 2004, as part of a distribution survey of Sclater's guenon (Cercopithecus sclateri) in southern Nigeria, we investigated reports of sacred monkeys in the Igbo-speaking region of Nigeria. We confirmed nine new sites where primates are protected as sacred: four with tantalus monkeys (Chlorocebus tantalus) and five with mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona). During 2004-2006, we visited two communities (Akpugoeze and Lagwa) previously known to harbor sacred populations of Ce. sclateri to estimate population abun... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2378955 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2378955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2378956&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20694 Stone hammering in natural conditions has been extensively investigated in chimpanzees and bearded capuchins. In contrast, knowledge of stone tool use in wild Old World monkeys has been limited to anecdotal reports, despite having known for over 120 years that Macaca fascicularis aurea use stone tools to process shelled foods from intertidal zones on islands in the Andaman Sea. Our report is the first scientific investigation to look at the stone tools used by these macaques. We observed they were skilled tool users and used stone tools daily. They selected tools with differing qualities for differing food items, and appeared to use at least two types of stone tools. Pounding hammers were used to crush shellfish and nuts on anvils and axe hammers were used to pick or chip at oysters attach... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2378956 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2378956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2372270&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20692 This study focused on sexual behaviors in a newly formed group of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) housed at Zoo Atlanta. All females engaged in mating outside their conceptive periods, although there was individual variation in the frequency of the behavior. An analysis of the presence/absence of sexual behavior found females, regardless of reproductive condition, were more likely to engage in sexual behavior on days when other females were sexually active. On these "co-occurrence" days, females were significantly more likely to solicit the silverback, but copulations did not differ from expectation. The results find further evidence for sexual competition among female gorillas and suggest that this may occur throughout their reproductive cycle rather than only during pr... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2372270 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2372270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2366590&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20697 Marmosets exchange two types of calls: phees and trills. We played back phees and trills to investigate the temporal rules of vocal exchanges using ten captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). The marmosets usually emitted the same type of vocalizations just after the stimulus playbacks, and similar regularities were observed in the temporal intervals of phees and in trills. They vocalized with shorter intervals when they responded with trills rather than phees, and, after the first call, they repeatedly vocalized trills with shorter intervals than phees. These results suggest that the temporal rules between phees and trills are qualitatively similar but quantitatively different. These results might be owing to the different distances over which these contact calls are used. Am. J. P... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2366590 Sat, 25 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2366590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2352010&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20693 The cynomolgus monkey model has contributed to significant advances regarding the understanding of coronary artery atherosclerosis of females. There are currently 8 million women in the United States living with heart disease, necessitating further study and understanding of this leading cause of morbidity and mortality for postmenopausal women. Specifically, studies involving the monkey model have allowed greater understanding of the effect of the stage of reproductive life, time since menopause, and the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis as determinates of estrogen-mediated effects on arteries. Utilizing the commonalities among monkeys and human beings, these studies have shown that postmenopausal atherosclerosis is associated with the premenopausal reproductive timeframe. In addition... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2352010 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2352010 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2352013&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20685 In the article cited above, Figure 1, illustrating body fur scores, should have appeared in color. The color version of this figure appears below, along with the original legend.The publisher regrets this error. (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2352013 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2352013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2352012&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20696 This study documented infants born to wild cotton-top tamarin females from 1994-2008 at two distinct field sites in northern Colombia. Our studies have shown that wild cotton-top tamarins typically give birth to one litter each year and infant survival to 6 months of age was greater in the wild than has been reported in captive colonies. However, similar to reports from captive colonies, litter size of wild cotton-top tamarins ranges from 1-3 infants, with twin litters most common. Here we report the first occurrence of triplet litters in nearly 20 years of observing wild cotton-top tamarin groups. Over the first 3 months of life, wild-born infants exhibited highest mortality during the first week of life, similar to reports from captive colonies. Infant survival in the wild also increases... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2352012 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2352012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2352011&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20695 Asian colobines exhibit a wide range of sexual dimorphism in body mass. Some species are monomorphic, whereas others are strongly dimorphic. Strong sexual dimorphism is generally viewed as the consequence of intense male contest competition over access to mates, but this idea appears not to explain variation in sexual dimorphism in Asian colobines. Our results show that modular colobines, i.e. species in which social units aggregate into higher-level bands or often associate, have significantly higher levels of sexual dimorphism in body mass than the nonmodular ones. This finding was corroborated by means of phylogenetically controlled methods and multiple regression analyses. The results suggest that living in a modular society intensifies the contest competition among males, which is fur... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2352011 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2352011 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2336671&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20684 The fitness of a female's offspring depends cruicially on the traits, genetic and paternal, that the father contributes. As such, females may either have an interest in behaviorally choosing the highest-quality male, or in reliably signaling their fertility status to males. Combining hormonal data on a female's ovulatory fertile window with a behavioral context, we suggest that captive female olive baboons (Papio h. anubis) provide fathers with reliable signals of their fertile period. One signal, the maximum anogenital swelling (AGA), typically coincided with a 4-day fertile window of ovulation, which occurred 2-3 days prior to deturgescence. As expected from previous studies, AGA swelling indicated general attractiveness to males, and males attended to the relative attractiveness of fema... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2336671 Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2336671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2336672&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20681 Developmental studies of pre- to postnatal continuities in rhesus monkeys sometimes require infants be reared with their mothers. However, complications during pregnancy or experimental designs may require cesarean delivery. Owing to lack of published information on this subject, strategies are needed to introduce mothers to their infants following cesarean delivery. Using positive and negative reinforcement techniques we attempted to unite six infant rhesus macaques, Macaca mulatta, to their mothers following c-sections. For our seventh subject, we attempted to cross-foster an infant onto an unrelated female after she had undergone a cesarean surgery for a late-term spontaneous abortion. The mothers varied in age, parity, previous postnatal mothering experience with infants, housing earli... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2336672 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2336672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2336676&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20688 This study provides the first detailed analysis of the reproductive parameters of wild white-headed langurs (Trachypithecus leucocephalus), based on demographic data collected over an 8-year period in the Nongguan Karst Hills in Chongzuo County, Guangxi, China. From 1998 to 2002, a total of 133 live births were recorded in the population based on systematic censuses. Births occurred throughout the year, but the temporal pattern was highly correlated with seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall, with the birth peak coinciding with the dry and cold months of November-March. The average birthrate was 0.47±0.13 births per female per year and mortality for infants younger than 20 months was 15.8%. From 1998 to 2006, 14 females gave birth to 41 infants in four focal groups. The average a... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2336676 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2336676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2336675&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20687 We examined fiber fermentation capacity of captive chimpanzee fecal microflora from animals (n=2) eating low-fiber diets (LFDs; 14% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and 5% of cellulose) and high-fiber diets (HFDs; 26% NDF and 15% of cellulose), using barley grain, meadow hay, wheat straw, and amorphous cellulose as substrates for in vitro gas production of feces. We also examined the effects of LFD or HFD on populations of eubacteria and archaea in chimpanzee feces. Fecal inoculum fermentation from the LFD animals resulted in a higher in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and gas production than from the HFD animals. However, there was an interaction between different inocula and substrates on IVDMD, gas and methane production, and hydrogen recovery (P (Source: American Journal of Primato... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2336675 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2336675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2336674&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20679 Old World monkeys provide naturally occurring and experimentally induced phenotypes closely resembling the highly prevalent polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women. In particular, experimentally induced fetal androgen excess in female rhesus monkeys produces a comprehensive adult PCOS-like phenotype that includes both reproductive and metabolic dysfunction found in PCOS women. Such a reliable experimental approach enables the use of the prenatally androgenized (PA) female rhesus monkey model to (1) examine fetal, infant and adolescent antecedents of adult pathophysiology, gaining valuable insight into early phenotypic expression of PCOS, and (2) to understand adult pathophysiology from a mechanistic perspective. Elevated circulating luteinizing hormone (LH) levels are the earliest indica... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2336674 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2336674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2336673&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20676 Dental topographic analysis allows comparisons of variably worn teeth within and between species to infer relationships between dental form and diet in living primates, with implications for reconstructing feeding adaptations of fossil forms. Although analyses to date have been limited mainly to the M2s of a few primate taxa, these suggest that dental topographic analysis holds considerable promise. Still, larger samples including a greater range of species and different tooth types are needed to determine the potential of this approach. Here we examine dental topography of molar teeth of Cercocebus torquatus (n=48), Cercopithecus campbelli (n=50), Colobus polykomos (n=50), and Procolobus badius (n=50). This is the first such study of large samples of Old World monkeys, and the first to in... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2336673 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2336673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2291270&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20680 Soy isoflavones are phytoestrogenic components of dietary soy, which are widely consumed for their potential health benefits. Soy isoflavones appear to decrease breast and endometrial cancer risk in human observational studies, but paradoxically stimulate growth of breast cancer cells in culture and uterine enlargement in rodents. We have shown that these compounds are not estrogenic in cynomolgus monkeys even at relatively high doses, but that they reduce estrogen-induced proliferative responses of the breast and endometrium. This effect may be mediated through estrogen receptor interactions and/or modulation of endogenous estrogen metabolism. Interindividual variation in isoflavone absorption and metabolism contributes to the degree of estrogen antagonistic effect. Our recent studies hav... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2291270 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2291270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2291271&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20682 High levels of social tolerance are considered to promote social learning, as they allow direct observation of a manipulating conspecific and facilitate scrounging. Owing to tolerance toward infants, infancy is thought to be especially suited for learning socially transmitted behaviors. Despite this, few studies have investigated social learning of infants, particularly in manipulative tasks where observation might be most helpful. Here, we investigated (1) the influence of social learning on task acquisition in infant marmosets, and (2) whether the mother augments her behavior in a way that may enhance social learning by her infants. We tested infant and juvenile marmosets in four different complex foraging-related tasks, featuring large living insects (two tasks) or artificially embedded... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2291271 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2291271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2265895&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20677 A group of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) consisting of an alpha-male, six adult females, and several immatures was observed from May 2005-2006. We collected over 1,968 hr of focal data on the adult male and 1,539 hr of focal data on the six females in a forest along the Menanggul River, Sabah, Malaysia. Availability and seasonal changes in plant species consumed by the focal monkeys were determined by vegetation surveys carried out across an area of 2.15 ha along 200-500 m trails in riverine forest. A total of 188 plant species were consumed by the focal monkeys. The activity budget of members of our study group was 76.5% resting, 19.5% feeding, and 3.5% moving. Young leaves (65.9%) and fruits (25.9%) accounted for the majority of feeding time. Over 90% of fruit feeding involved the... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2265895 Sun, 15 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2265895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2253885&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20675 Although there are published reports of wild chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans hunting and consuming vertebrate prey, data pertaining to captive apes remain sparse. In this survey-based study, we evaluate the prevalence and nature of interactions between captive great apes and various indigenous wildlife species that range into their enclosures in North America. Our hypotheses were threefold: (a) facilities housing chimpanzees will report the most frequent and most aggressive interactions with local wildlife; (b) facilities housing orangutans and bonobos will report intermediate frequencies of these interactions with low levels of aggression and killing; and (c) facilities housing gorillas will report the lowest frequency of interactions and no reports of killing local wildlife. Chimpan... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2253885 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 03:36:02 +0100 2253885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2247875&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20678 The probability of ovulation in a number of primate species is associated with both visual and auditory cues. We use 18-month behavioral data from two chacma baboon troops to provide the first systematic assessment of the possibility that olfactory cues are also involved. Using variance in the rate of olfactory inspection by males as a proxy for changes in the intensity of female vaginal odor, we found that rates of inspection were broadly correlated with changes in female fertility. Males inspected cycling females significantly more than anovulatory, noncycling females and swelling females significantly more than nonswollen cycling females. Rates of inspection peaked around the time at which males first started guarding females and were sustained until the detumescence of the female's sex... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2247875 Sun, 08 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2247875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2237138&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20674 Natural disasters can negatively affect primate population demography and social group structure. A clear understanding of these effects has important implications for wildlife conservation. The worst snow storms in nearly five decades hit portions of southern and central China between January 10 and February 6, 2008, presenting a unique opportunity to observe their immediate effects on a previously studied group of Hubei Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana hubeiensis) in temperate forests in Shennongjia Nature Reserve, Hubei Province, China. We recorded social and demographic characteristics of the group before and after the snow storms. The average group size decreased from 270 individuals before the storms to 197 individuals after the storms, a reduction of 27.2%. Adult f... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2237138 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2237138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2219752&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20660 NO Abstract (Source: American Journal of Primatology) American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2219752 Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2219752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2208314&cid=s_33751_36_f&fid=33751&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1002%252Fajp.20661 Most primates are characterized by cohesive male-female bonds that are maintained year round. While recent studies have addressed the selective pressures influencing the evolution of male-female relationships in primates, we know relatively little about the proximate mechanisms affecting them. It has been demonstrated that newborn white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus) attract the attention of other group members and this may be an important mechanism influencing male-female relationships. We studied two groups of C. capucinus in the Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica, between February and July 2007. A total of 348 hr of focal data were collected on all adult males (n=6) residing in each of the study groups. During our study, 13 of the 14 group females were either pregnant or la... American Journal of Primatology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2208314 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2208314