Laboratory Primate Newsletter

CONTENTS

The Earthwatch Institute: Bringing Science to the Public and the Public to Science, by L. E. Miller...... 1

Pair-Housing Overcomes Self-Biting Behavior in Macaques, by V. Reinhardt...... 4

Addendum to "History and Development of the Institute of Medical Primatology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences," by B. Lapin...... 7

A Review of Hand Preferences in Nonhuman Primates: Some Data from Patas Monkeys, by J. A. Teichroeb...... 10

Behavioral Enrichment for Nonhuman Primates, by L. Cocks, C. Baker, G. Harris, & F. Butcher...... 14

Announcements from Publications...... 3
...Journal of Medical Primatology; Global Biodiversity; Animal Welfare; Pioneer Online Commentary

Travelers' Health Notes...... 5
...Reminder - IAMAT; Global Infectious Surveillance; African Tick-Bite Fever in International Travelers; Bovine TB in South African Wildlife; Trypanosomiasis in Angola; Cholera in Kenya under Control; Diarrheal Disease in Nepal; Dengue Fever in Vietnam; Rift Valley Fever in Mauritania

Resources Wanted and Available...... 9
..."18q- Syndrome"; NIH Establishes Malaria Reagent Repository; Primagam®, a Test for Tuberculosis in Primates; The Scent of a Bushbaby

Awards Granted...... 15
...Martha J. Galante Award - IPS; Veterinary Society Honors Whitehair; Bayne Honored by AALAS; $35 Million for Biodiversity Research

Primates de las Américas...La Página...... 16

Grants Available...... 17
...NIH Grants Policy Statement; NSF Support for Undergraduate Mentoring; Research on Skeletal Growth and Development; NEI Scholars Program; Fogarty International Research Collaboration Award; Bioengineering Research Grants; Small Grant Program for the NIAMS; ACLAM Grants Available

Research and Educational Opportunities...... 21
...Orangutan and Rain Forest Research; MSc in Wild Animal Health; Fyssen Foundation 1998-1999 Fellowships; Summer Course in Animal Behavior; Biology of Aging Scholarships; Animal Behavior at Indiana University; Graduate Studies in Animal Welfare, BC, Canada; AFAR Scholarships in the Biology of Aging

Volunteer Opportunity: Primate Care Volunteer, Texas...... 22

Award Nominations: Fyssen Foundation 1999 International Prize...... 24

Meeting Announcements...... 25

Information Requested and Available...... 26
...New Nonhuman Primate Well-being Report; Environmental Enrichment Database; Primate-Science; Askprimate Lives! More New E-mail Lists; Symposium on Biotelemetry; Looking for a Particular Book? CRISP on the World Wide Web; Species.net; Free Web Directory to Printed Periodicals; Grantmakers Electronic Proposal Processing System; Internet2 Albilene Project; Centerline on the Web; USDA Readies Annual Reports for Internet; Quote Without Comment; ASKNIH Becomes GrantsInfo; New Resources from APS; More Interesting Web Sites

Primatology Textbooks...... 29

News Briefs...... 30
...Yerkes/Emory Settle OSHA Case; Caribbean Center Hurricane Appeal; Antique Prints in NYC; Officers of the IPS; New Members, Officers for AAALAC-International; Tropical Disease Research; Bonobo Birth at Apenheul; Emerging Infectious Diseases: U.S.; Animal Rights Crusader Henry Spira Dies; ISAR Founder Helen Jones Dies; Arrests at Oregon RPRC

Update on Daddy Clyde...... 32

Top 14 Rules of the Laboratory...... 32

Address Changes...... 22

Positions Available...... 23
...Head, Division of Veterinary Science, Louisiana; Research Assistant, New York City; Editor: Laboratory Animal Science; Chimpanzee Caregiver, Ghana; Facility Manager, Texas; Department Chair in Biological Sciences, Ohio

Recent Books and Articles...... 33

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The Earthwatch Institute: Bringing Science to the Public and the Public to Science

Lynne E. Miller
Department of Anthropology, University of California at San Diego

This article is a little different from what you normally find in the LPN. It isn't about research findings and it doesn't come from a lab scientist. I study behavioral ecology among capuchin monkeys at a field site in Venezuela (Hato Pinero). What I want to share here is my experience working with Earthwatch. The Earthwatch Institute is a nonprofit organization that recruits paying volunteers to participate in research. The program provides funding and person-power to scientists, and it gives Earthwatch volunteers a marvelous experience that they cannot get from ordinary ecotourism. In 1995, I hosted 11 teams of Earthwatchers, totaling 45 diverse and inspiring people. Conducting an Earthwatch expedition is not for everyone, nor will it be successful for all types of projects. It is hard work and provides only a minimal budget. However, Earthwatch gave me a chance to do two of the things I love best: field research and teaching. It also allowed me to meet and work with some extraordinary and dedicated volunteers.

Some of you have never heard of Earthwatch; others have only a vague idea of what it's about. Earthwatch's mission is to promote science by bringing researchers and laypersons together. Principal investigators (PIs) gain the opportunity to conduct field studies, thanks to the funding and field assistance Earthwatch provides. Earthwatch volunteers get the chance to participate in the type of project that they would normally only see on television or read about in Discover magazine. And science as a whole benefits because the public, one person at a time, gains a better understanding of and appreciation for field research. In this way, Earthwatch gives not only short-term financial support for field costs, but also long-term public support for the sciences.

Since its inception in 1972, Earthwatch has recruited more than 50,000 volunteers to participate in about 1000 research projects in some 120 different countries. The typical Earthwatch team is in the field for two weeks, and so an Earthwatch PI may host several teams of volunteers in the course of a field season. Projects cover diverse areas, such as archaeology and paleontology (e.g., Dinosaur Footprints, Search for the Neanderthals, Empires of Ancient Morocco, Hopi Ancestors), human health and cultural resources (Community Health in Cameroon, Guatemala's Craft Markets, Indonesian Sun Cooking), and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems (Orchids and Bees of Brazil; Whales of South Africa; Rocky Mountain Wild Flowers; Saving Borneo's Rainforest, with Dr. Carey Yeager; Golden Bamboo Lemurs, with Dr. Patricia Wright). Clearly some types of projects make good use of Earthwatch volunteers and others simply cannot. Successful Earthwatch projects are those that truly incorporate the volunteers into the daily process of the research, from data collection to data processing to maintenance of the field site. For this reason, archaeological projects have been popular, as unskilled field assistants can be quickly trained and make valuable contributions to excavation. Laboratory studies that require extensive training might be less appropriate for the use of Earthwatchers. And of course, projects will be popular among volunteers if they offer exotic destinations, unique cultural settings, and comfortable accommodations.

There is no such thing as a "typical" Earthwatch volunteer. They come from many different countries (though most are from the United States and Western Europe). They span all age groups (though they must be at least 16 years of age and in good physical condition). They come from different professions and educational backgrounds (many are educators or skilled professionals). They bring all types of life experiences and special abilities. The only thing they share is a truly exceptional commitment to helping with the project.

The nuts and bolts of Earthwatch are fairly straightforward. The PI receives $500 to $900 per volunteer. This per capita grant must cover all of the volunteers' expenses while working on the project, including accommodations, food, local transportation, equipment, and anything else that comes along. The volunteers bring only their field clothing, lots of mosquito repellent, and a tremendous level of enthusiasm.

Any money left after the volunteers' expenses are covered goes into the PI's field budget, and so, the more volunteers, the bigger the budget. The PI is limited, however, in how many people the project can handle. Certain types of studies (such as archaeological excavations) can make use of a dozen or more workers at a time. In contrast, studies of animals in their natural habitats may limit team sizes to minimize disturbance.

Another limitation on the working budget is the number of teams a project can accept. This is determined primarily by the PI's free time and energy. Running Earthwatch isn't easy. A PI wears a lot of hats: scientist, teacher, coordinator, tour guide, doctor, friend, arbitrator, and shoulder-to-cry-on. It is a challenge to organize activities so that volunteers are genuinely useful and make a tangible contribution to the project. It drains the PI's energy to train a new team every two weeks or so. It is also difficult to make sure that the volunteers are having a good time. Much of science (as you all know) is drudgery. This is fine for those of us who are dedicated to what we do, but it can be tedious for a paying volunteer. Successful projects allow volunteers to rotate their activities, and break up long weeks of work with sight-seeing expeditions or field trips to the local town. And of course, there are all the tricky logistics of running a field study, multiplied by the number of volunteers, as you coordinate moving teams around a developing country, providing adequate room and board, and making sure that everyone gets along reasonably well. Add to this the usual unexpected circumstances - like the volunteer who misses her flight, or the eager trail-cutter who slashes his leg open with a machete, or the father and daughter who just aren't getting along right now - and you can understand why most PIs take long breaks between teams.

But it's all worth it. My own experience with Earthwatch began in 1993 when I was approached by a program representative at the American Society of Primatologists' meeting in Sturbridge. She had heard about my research, thought that it might make a good project, and invited me to submit a proposal. I had been home from the field for about two years at that time and was ready to tackle another long season, and so I wrote up a lengthy description of my research objectives and methods, the working and living conditions, and how I could incorporate Earthwatch volunteers into the study. The proposal was reviewed for its scientific value, its overall significance, and, of course, its marketability. Projects that involve monkeys are usually popular, and mine had the added advantage of comfortable housing for the volunteers. I tried to underplay the mud and mosquitoes. The project was approved.

The volunteers who joined my project in 1995 made a considerable contribution to my research. On the most crass and basic level, their financial support made it possible for me to be in the field for that year. But they did so much more. After just a couple of days of training, they were splitting up into small teams to help me locate monkey troops. As you can imagine, this was far more efficient than my walking trails all alone. Once we made contact with the subjects, Earthwatchers quickly learned to recognize the different age-sex classes, at which point they began to collect simple behavioral data. When monkeys weren't to be found, my assistants collected phenological data, measuring trees and counting fruits. They also helped out with site maintenance by swinging machetes and tagging trails. And of course, they added to my field season in many intangible ways.

There are three volunteers I remember especially well. Devon was just 16 and it was her first time away from home and family. She was tremendously homesick and spent many hours hiding her tears behind a curtain of long, blond hair. And yet, despite her angst, she was the motivating factor of that group. She and her three teammates came during the height of the wet season, when the forest was flooded and full of mosquitoes. Tracking the monkeys was hard work when the rain came pouring down and the trails were a foot deep in cloying mud. But Devon never let us give up. When a storm rolled in, I would quietly suggest that we could call it a day and head back to camp, but Devon would brightly say, "No way! Let's follow the monkeys!" Who could throw in the towel in the face of such cheerful enthusiasm?

In contrast to teenaged Devon, Neal was 86 when he came to work with me. He had been a career army man and had spent the past couple of decades joining many Earthwatch projects all over the world. At every meal, he held us spellbound with tales of his long and exciting life. Out in the forest, he moved a little more slowly than other volunteers, but he enthusiastically carried a machete and hacked at vegetation as he went along. A good PI is flexible, working with each volunteer's strengths and weaknesses. In return, you get these really inspirational examples of what people can do if they want to.

Suzi was entering her "middle years." She worked as a development administrator at a small, private school, and clearly she had never done anything like this in her whole life. I'm not sure if she had ever even been camping before. She, too, came during the rainy season, and walking the slippery trails was tough going. One day, toward the end of her two weeks with me, we decided we would work on clearing out some new trails. Breaking new ground is really different from maintaining old tracks; it is a huge amount of work, and it wasn't made any easier by the forest conditions. However, Suzi latched onto Seth, an eager high school student, and they set off into the forest to cut a small stretch that would bring them out onto the road. I went off to do something else but returned at about the time I thought they might be done. I sat on the hood of my truck for about a half an hour, listening to the sounds of their machetes whacking at the heavy foliage. Finally they broke out of the forest and into the clear. Suzi was a mess. She was covered with mud from head to foot. Her hair was disheveled, her clothes were torn, and I knew that her hands were raw with blisters. But on her face was this beaming smile and a look of absolute triumph. "Yes!" she shouted as she hiked out onto the road, machete raised over her head like a flag "We did it!" Earthwatch gives volunteers a chance to push themselves in ways they never imagined.

In conclusion, Earthwatch turned out to be a terrific challenge but an unexpectedly rewarding experience. Thanks to Earthwatch, I got to be in the field for another year, and thanks to my volunteers, I collected far more data than I could have gathered on my own. At the same time, I got to share my life in the field, my love of my research, and a sense of what science is all about. And finally, I got to meet these amazing people who made me laugh and kept reminding me of how exciting my work could be. I still keep in touch with many of these friends and I look forward to seeing them in 1999 as I return to Venezuela for another year of research with Earthwatch. 

The Earthwatch Institute is always interested in hearing from scientists about new projects. For information about submitting a proposal, call them (800-776-0188) or check <www.earthwatch.org>.

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Author's address: 130 East Hawthorne Dr., Ontario, CA 91764 [e-mail: CebusLEM@aol.com].

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Announcements from Publications

The Journal of Medical Primatology covers such research areas as veterinary care, husbandry, experimental methodology, morphology, physiology, reproductive biology, cardiovascular diseases, neurology, molecular biology, genetics, nutrition, wildlife management, behavior and sociology as related to medical conditions, and captive primate needs. In addition, subjects on infectious diseases have always played an important role in the journal, especially since 1989, when the first of the now yearly issues on nonhuman primate models for AIDS was published. Since 1996, the Editor-in-Chief has been Prof. Dr. Jorg W. Eichberg, Rijswik, The Netherlands [e-mail: eichberg@bprc.nl]. The founding editors are E. I. Goldsmith and J. Moor-Jankowski. One volume of six issues is published annually, including one special issue. For subscriptions: Munksgaard International Publishers Ltd., 35 Norre Sogade, P.O. Box 2148, DK-1016 Copenhagen K., Denmark [fax: +45 33 12 93 87; e-mail: fsub@mail.munksgaard.dk]; or Regional Office for North America, Munksgaard International Publishers Ltd., Commerce Pl., 350 Main St, Malden, MA 02148-0518 [fax: 617-388-8274]. - From Neotropical Primates, 1998, 6[3]

Global Biodiversity is a quarterly magazine published by the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, dedicated to all aspects of biological diversity research and conservation. Besides regular articles, it includes updates and news on biodiversity policy, biosafety, meetings, and conservation. Two theme issues have been produced, one on Ecoforestry (1997), and another on Ecoagriculture (1998). For more information, write to Global Biodiversity, Canadian Museum of Nature, P.O. Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6P4, Canada [888-437-6287; fax: 613-566-4673; e-mail: sswan@mus-nature.ca; or see: <www.nature.ca/english/gbzine.htm>]. - From Neotropical Primates, 1998, 6[3].

Animal Welfare is a quarterly journal published by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW), UK. It has established itself as an international forum for quarterly publication of peer-reviewed papers on all aspects of farm, laboratory, zoo, wild, and companion animal welfare science, from practical husbandry to ethical debates. The range of subjects covered by Animal Welfare is constantly expanding and changing in response to new legislation, discoveries, and technologies, and growing interest in the field.

Subscriptions are accepted by (four-issue) volume at the following (1999) rates: UFAW members: £40/U.S.$80 for individuals; £50/U.S.$100 for corporate/insti-tutes/libraries; Non-members: £50/U.S.$100 and £70/ U.S.$140.

Animal Welfare welcomes submissions of * original papers (reporting the author[s] own studies) * review papers; * short communications (of less than 2000 words); * technical contributions (reports on practical methods for assessing or improving animal welfare); and * letters (on topical welfare issues). The journal will not include any papers based on work which causes unnecessary pain, distress, suffering, or lasting harm. It also publishes book, video, and CD-ROM reviews; reports and comments; a books received list; and an annual index.

For information about membership or the journal, or for a detailed Instructions for Authors leaflet, contact UFAW, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Herts AL4 8AN, UK [++ (0) 1582 831818; fax: ++ (0) 1582 831414; e-mail: ufaw@ufaw.org.uk]. - Posted to CompMed

The British journal BMJ is testing a new kind of article review. The paper, "The Metamorphosis of Biomedical Journals," was written by a professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh and has already been rejected for publication by The Journal of the American Medical Association, Nature Medicine, and The New England Journal of Medicine. Visitors to the BMJ site <www.bmj.com> can read the paper, post their comments, and read others' opinions about it. Based on those comments and the evaluation of traditional peer reviewers, BMJ will decide later this year whether to publish it in its print journal. "I don't believe in the conventional process of peer review," says author Ronald LaPorte. "This is the model of how scholarly publishing should be done." Other scholars are not so sure: "Raw articles are not worth people's attention," says a professor of psychology who operates a Web site on cognitive science. "They're not worth sending out to gazillions of people. This is no way to run a journal." - From the Chronicle of Higher Education, 16 Oct 98, posted to CompMed

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Pair-Housing Overcomes Self-Biting Behavior in Macaques

Viktor Reinhardt
Animal Welfare Institute

Introduction

While there is debate whether all stereotypies -- such as pacing and somersaulting -- are behavioral abnormalities or merely attempts to cope with inadequate environmental conditions, self-biting is commonly regarded as a serious, potentially destructive behavioral pathology in macaques. Research has shown that approximately 10% of captive, individually housed [rhesus] monkeys show this problem (Jorgensen et al., 1998; Novak et al., 1998). To date, no effective therapy has been developed (Jorgensen et al., 1996). There is, however, a general consensus that prolonged individual housing is probably a contributing factor (National Research Council, 1998). If this assumption is correct, single-caged animals should stop exhibiting self-biting behavior when transferred to a compatible social housing arrangement.

Subject Sex    Body part bitten           Effect of pair-housing

Minette female hand (no visible injury)   self-biting stops gradually
Fox     female hand (abrasion)            self-biting stops gradually
Chewy   female hand (abrasion)            self-biting stops gradually
Moon    male   thigh (no visible injury)  self-biting stops immediately
Alex    male   hand (no visible injury)   self-biting stops gradually
Troll   male   thigh (serious laceration) self-biting stops immediately
Darie   male   arm (serious lacerations)  self-biting stops immediately

Observations

In a colony of more than 600 mother-reared, artificially weaned, single-caged rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), self-biting was witnessed in four adult males and three adult females over a four-year period. This behavior pattern was predictably exhibited whenever one of the subjects was approached by personnel: the animal would show signs of intense excitation -- such as trembling, head jerking and piloerection -- and start repeatedly biting one particular body part while staring at and/or charging the person. Five subjects bit one hand, two subjects bit one thigh, while one subject bit his right upper arm. The self-biting resulted in no visible trauma in three animals. Two animals showed moderate abrasions on the bitten hand; two other animals required surgical treatment, one of a lacerated thigh, the other of a lacerated biceps (Table 1).

All seven macaques were successfully transferred from single-housing to compatible pair-housing arrangements with same-sex adult partners (six cases) or with an infant (one case; Reinhardt, 1994). They were checked once or twice on workdays for self-biting behavior over a period of one year or longer.

Pair-housing had a therapeutic effect in all seven subjects. The conspicuous excitation and self-biting in the presence of personnel was abandoned immediately on the day of pair formation in three animals or gradually within the next two months in the four others (Table 1). The behavior pattern was no longer witnessed thereafter.

Conclusion

The transfer to a compatible social-housing arrangement effectively cured the rhesus subjects from the behavioral pathology of habitual self-biting. This finding supports an earlier study with long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis): five adult females stopped self-biting once they were transferred from single-housing to pair-housing arrangements (Line et al., 1990). Since macaques have a strong social disposition, it is not surprising that the presence of a social companion is a crucial factor for their behavioral health and emotional well-being.

References

Jorgensen, M. J., Novak, M. A., Kinsey, J. H, Tiefenbacher, S., & Meyere, J. S. (1996). Correlates of self-injurious behavior in monkeys. XVIth Congress of the International Primatological Society/XIXth Conference of the American Society of Primatologists, Abstract No. 767.

Jorgensen, M. J., Kinsey, J. H., & Novak, M. A. (1998). Risk factors for self-injurious behavior in captive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology, 45, 187 (Abstract).

Line, S. W., Morgan, K. N., Markowitz, H., & Riddell, M. (1990). Behavioral responses of female longtailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) to pair formation. Laboratory Primate Newsletter, 29[4], 1-5.

National Research Council (1998). The Psychological Well-Being of Nonhuman Primates. Washington: National Academy Press.

Novak, M. A., Kinsey, J. H., Jorgensen, M. J., & Hazen, T. J. (1998). Effects of puzzle feeders on pathological behavior in individually housed rhesus monkeys. American Journal of Primatology, 46, 213-227.

Reinhardt, V. (1994). Pair-housing rather than single-housing for laboratory rhesus macaques. Journal of Medical Primatology, 23, 426-431.

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Author's address: Animal Welfare Institute, P.O. Box 3650, Washington, DC 20007 [e-mail: viktor@animalwelfare.com].

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Travelers' Health Notes

Reminder - IAMAT

The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers, a volunteer group, compiles an annual list of doctors around the world who meet the organization's criteria, who speak English or another second language, and who agree to charge a specific fee. The 1998 Directory lists the current schedule of fees as U.S.$55 for an office visit, U.S.$75 for a house (or hotel) call, and U.S.$95 for night, Sunday, and holiday calls. These fees do not include consultants, laboratory procedures, hospitalization, or other expenses. The 60-page listing of doctors and centers includes 122 countries. IAMAT also publishes and provides to its members pamphlets on immunization and on malaria. For information, contact IAMAT, 40 Regal Rd, Guelph, Ontario, N1K 1B5, Canada [519-836-0102]; 417 Center St, Lewiston, NY 14092, USA [716-754-4883]; P.O. Box 5029, Christchurch, NZ; or 57 Voirets, 1212 Grand-Lancy-Geneva, Switzerland; or see <www.sentex.net/~iamat> [e-mail: iamat@sentex.net].

Global Infectious Disease Surveillance

A communicable disease in one country today is the concern of all. During 1996, fatal yellow fever infections were imported into the United States and Switzerland by tourists who had travelled to yellow fever endemic areas without having had yellow fever vaccination. During the same year approximately 10,000 reported cases of malaria were imported into the European Community, with one fourth of them reported in the United Kingdom.

In industrialized countries where communicable disease mortality has greatly decreased over the past century, the concern is preventing diseases from entering and causing an outbreak or re-emergence. In developing countries, the concern is detecting communicable disease outbreaks early and stopping their mortality, spread and potential impact on trade and tourism.

One of the major means of addressing the concerns about communicable diseases in both industrialized and developing countries is through the development of strong surveillance systems. The World Health Organization has been creating a global surveillance system by developing a "network of networks" which links together existing local, regional, national, and international networks of laboratories and medical centers.

The Global Public Health Information Network (GPHIN) is a second-generation electronic surveillance system developed and maintained by Health Canada. It has powerful search engines that actively trawl the World Wide Web looking for reports of communicable diseases and communicable disease syndromes in electronic discussion groups, on news wires, and elsewhere on the Web. Other networks which are sources for communicable disease reporting include nongovernmental organizations such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Médecins sans Frontiéres, Medical Emergency Relief International, and religious organizations such as the Catholic and Protestant mission networks.

Once a communicable disease outbreak has been confirmed, pertinent information is placed on the World Wide Web and can be accessed by the general public at <www.who.ch/emc/outbreak_news/>. At the same time, an international response, with the input of technical and humanitarian partners, is mounted if required. A WHO team arrives on site within 24 hours of outbreak confirmation to make an initial assessment, begin immediate control measures, and prepare the ground for a larger international response if needed. By linking the international response to systematic global surveillance, a worldwide "network of networks" is available from which to solicit support, thus ensuring that no one country or organization must bear the entire burden. - From WHO Fact Sheet No 200, June 1998

In May, the Oregon Health Division received a report from a local physician that nine persons developed annular skin lesions accompanied by influenza-like symptoms within eight days of leaving southern Africa. All nine persons were members of a 34-person group from Oregon that traveled to Swaziland in April, 1998, to participate in a three-week humanitarian construction project. Two cases of African tick-bite fever (ATBF) were diagnosed in this group, underscoring the importance of pretravel counseling about vectorborne illnesses and post-travel recognition of imported rickettsial diseases. - From Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 1998, 47, 950

Bovine Tuberculosis in South African Wildlife

The South African Press Association has reported the culling of at least 500 buffalo infected with tuberculosis in Kruger National Park. This activity, reportedly using poisoned darts, was concentrated in the northern, southern, and central areas of the park. A coordinator of the culling, J. J. van Altena, was quoted as saying that the culling had been going on for a few weeks. There are about 20,000 buffalo in the park, according to park staff.

Kruger park authorities have been trying to establish the level of infection and the spread of tuberculosis because lions in the park eating infected buffalo carcasses were contracting tuberculosis. The disease reportedly had spread to cheetahs, at least one leopard, kudus, and baboons. The presence of Mycobacterium bovis has been confirmed by bacterial isolation and PCR analysis. Analysis of samples from nine lions identified the DNA patterns in the lions to be identical to the pattern found in a majority of park buffaloes. - From ProMED, reported on Alloprimate

Trypanosomiasis in Angola

UIGE, Angola - Sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis) has killed 13 people in the Angola province of Uige in the last quarter of 1998. The Angolan News Agency quoted the Director of the "Ango Tryp" project, Patricia Rojas Bizzaros, as saying that 558 cases were diagnosed in zones around Kitexe, Uige, Ambuila, and Bembe municipalities, where the disease is endemic.

According to Rojas Bizzaros, Ango-Tryp project specialists were currently combating the disease in two phases, the first of which consists of research while the second involves actual treatment of patients. She also mentioned the work of mobile teams that were moving around the endemic areas to treat patients, and efforts to capture tsetse flies, which are the vectors. She regretted, however, that the hospital at Kitexe had been attacked by Jonas Savimbi's Unita combatants who stole clinical and laboratory equipment, medicines, vehicles, and beds and food intended for patients. - From ProMED, posted to Alloprimate 21 Oct 1998

Cholera in Kenya under Control

Nairobi - An outbreak of cholera which killed 17 people at Kalokol on the shores of Lake Turkana has been brought under control. The Rift Valley provincial medical officer, Dr. Kenneth Chebet, said no more deaths had been reported since the week after the outbreak in September. He said 369 cases had been attended to in the last month. Of the 20 patients admitted to Kalokol health center last week, he said, only four were still at the hospital and they were improving. Staff from the African Medical and Research Foundation had airlifted medical supplies to augment government efforts in the affected areas and to give medical assistance. Chiefs' meetings have been held at Kainak, Loichar, Lodwar, Lokichoggio and Kakuma where clinical officers advised residents on how to curb the spread of the disease. This remote part of Kenya borders on Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia, and the people are nomadic herders, so the possibility of cross-border spread is high. - From ProMED, posted to Alloprimate, 26 Oct. 1998

The death toll from gastroenteritis has reached 39 in Rupandehi district, western Nepal, in less than two weeks, the official Nepalese news agency reported Thursday. Twenty-six people in this district had succumbed to the disease in one week by Monday. RSS said that another 1110 people are reported to be suffering from the disease, which has assumed epidemic proportions in 13 villages of the district. Local hospitals are under growing pressure due to lack of rooms and medicine, the news agency said. It said that continued consumption of contaminated water and fish has helped spread the disease. The health ministry said that 840 people around the country had died of the disease from mid-April to October 12. - From ProMED, posted to Alloprimate, 30 Oct. 1998

Dengue Fever in Vietnam

Dengue fever has killed 321 people in Vietnam so far this year, nearly 50% more than in all of 1997. Tran Hung of the Ministry of Health said 159,449 people had contracted the disease as of Oct. 20. The 12 Mekong Delta provinces in the south were hit particularly hard by dengue, he said, as swamps and water tanks prepared by farmers for use during the five-month dry season attracted mosquitoes that carry the disease. Last year, 226 of the 107,000 people who contracted the virus died. - From ProMED, posted to Alloprimate, 2 Nov. 1998

An outbreak of Rift Valley fever has occurred in the Aioun area, in southeastern Mauritania. There have been 300-400 human cases of the febrile disease, including six deaths between 15 and 30 September (some with hemorrhage and icterus). The dead were aged 14 to 40 years, and all cases were from areas where goats, sheep, cattle and camels are raised. - From ProMED, posted to Alloprimate, 10 Nov. 1998

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Addendum to "History and Development of the Institute of Medical Primatology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences"

Boris Lapin, Director

In an earlier article in the Laboratory Primate Newsletter (1998, 37[2] 5-7), I was unable, because of space limitations, to mention some additional research trends that readers of the Newsletter may find interesting.

First, I believe that our attempts to introduce baboons (Papio hamadryas) into the foothills of the Caucasian mountains are of interest, as well as our long-term studies of the behavior and social structure of baboons in an environment similar to their natural habitat. Systematic observations of several hundred baboons, living in a large but limited territory (100 km²), have enabled us to study certain features of their behavior, such as mother-infant relationships and the formation and division of harems. We found that the monkeys lived in a "core territory" of 11 km², and although during a 24-hour period they would range over considerable distances, they always returned to their "core territory" each evening. Such studies would be much more difficult to conduct in their natural habitat.

Unfortunately, because of intense military activity in Abhazia, we were not able to rescue the baboons from their reserve.

I would also like to take this opportunity to describe the work of some extremely important departments of the Institute: its Library (E. M. Osipova, Director); its Primatological Information Center (E. P. Fridman, Director); and its Exhibition Department (V. N. Yanson, Director). A description of these departments will give readers a broader view of our Institute's research activities.

The Library of the Institute was founded in 1929 and immediately began gathering scientific literature in biology and medicine. A significant part of this collection consisted of works on primatology: monographs, journals, collections of articles, proceedings of conferences and symposia, dissertations, offprints, and reprints, published in Russian and in foreign languages (English, German, French, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Japanese, and Chinese). We even tried to obtain for the Library all works in which the word "monkey" appeared, regardless of their content.

As a result, the Library acquired a unique collection of primatological literature. On January 1, 1992, the primatological collection consisted of 65,569 items (1841 in Russian and 63,728 in foreign languages); the Library's total collection numbered 214,117 items. A special card index of all the works about research done at the Institute numbered 9737 items.

Newly published literature was displayed on exhibition stands. The Library regularly exchanged literature with the libraries of Moscow and other cities in the U.S.S.R. In addition to serving the members of the Institute, the Library was also extensively used by the doctors of Sukhumi's hospitals and by the students of Sukhumi University.

In 1967 the Information Center was founded as part of the Library. (Later it was called the Laboratory of Information Analysis and Problems of Medical Primatology.) The Center (or Laboratory) would analyze world primatological literature, revealing long-term trends in research, judging by the numbers of publications, and would also analyze the reasons for these trends. These analyses of the literature also showed which species of monkeys were preferable for various lines of research.

The Information Center also maintained annotated bibliographies with abstracts of publications in English and Russian, circulating them to scientists and departments of the Institute and to various other Soviet institutions at their request. At first the abstracts and bibliographies were kept on punched cards; later they were transferred to computers.

The Information Center carried out an extensive exchange program with many scientific institutions both at home and abroad. Especially close ties were formed with the Information Center of the University of Washington in Seattle, then under the direction of Dr. T. Ruch, who visited our Institute and was largely responsible for initiating the exchange. The relationship between our two institutions was further strengthened by Dr. D. Bowden, who visited the Institute and worked for a time in Sukhumi; later he became the Director of the Washington Regional Primate Research Center. The Information Center of the Washington RPRC, under J. Pritchard, regularly sent us its bulletin of new literature, receiving Russian and other Eastern European publications from the Sukhumi Information Center in exchange.

The Sukhumi Information Center also established an exchange relationship with the Wisconsin RPRC with the help of its Librarian, L. Jacobsen.

Unfortunately, with the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1992, it was not possible to move either the materials at the Information Center or the Library's collection to the Institute's new location in the Black Sea city of Sochi-Adler. The collections are not used by primatologists at present; they have been declared the "national property of Abhazia". These materials now have only historical interest, as the Library's collection has not been added to for seven years. Neither was it possible, unfortunately, for the Institute's members to bring the greater part of their personal libraries with them to Adler.

The Institute of Medical Primatology in Sochi-Adler began the task of collecting a research library in 1992 and by 1996 it had succeeded in collecting 3655 items.

In the previous article we mentioned the national and international conferences and symposia regularly hosted by the Institute. Since 1953 these conferences and symposia have met almost every year. Among the most important are: "The International Symposium on the Study of Human Disease by Means of Experiments with Nonhuman Primates"; "The Soviet-American Conferences on the Problem of Viral Tumors"; "The International Symposium on Comparative Research on Leukemia and Related Diseases"; "The Soviet-Italian Symposium on the Pathology of the Cardiovascular System"; and "Problems of Providing Nonhuman Primates for Biomedical Research and Principles of Using Nonhuman Primates in Experiments". These meetings are continuing in Adler.

The Institute's popularity has been promoted by the work of the Exhibition Department. Specially trained guides, in addition to showing visitors the various species of monkeys used at the Institute, inform them about the work of the Institute, the research conducted in its laboratories, the goals of the research, and its results. Visitors to the Institute now number about 800,000 a year.

The Adler Institute of Medical Primatology now continues the Sukhumi Institute's task of coordinating all research on primates conducted in scientific institutions affiliated with the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and the Ministry of Health. Since 1970 the Primate Commission of the Presidium of the Academy of Medical Sciences has been working at the Institute: it analyzes, both pre- and post-research, investigations using primates and is also concerned with problems of bioethics.

In conclusion, I would like to add a few important references to the list of works I gave earlier, as well as a few important publications that have appeared recently.

Selected Bibliography

Chalyan, V. G., Meishvili, N. V., & Butovskaya, M. A. (1997). The role of females in communities of P. hamadryas. 1. Dominance hierarchy of females under the conditions of Gumista Reserve. Vestnik antropologii, Almanakh, 3, 126-137.

Chalyan, V. G., Meishvili, N. V., & Butovskaya, M. A. (1997). The role of females in communities of P. hamadryas. 2. Ecological influence on mother-offspring relationships. Vestnik antropologii, Almanakh, 3, 137-146.

Cherkovich, G. M. & Lapin, B. A. (1973). Modelling of neurogenic diseases in monkeys. In G. H. Bourne (Ed.), Nonhuman Primates and Medical Research (pp. 307-327). New York: Academic Press.

Chikobava, M. G., Yakovleva, L. A., Indzhiia, L. V. & Lapin, B. A. (1997). Comparative analysis of the sequenced fragment of the M. arctoides STLV-1 env gene encoding the immunodominance region gp-46 and similar fragments in the HTLV-1(ATK) and STLV-1 from various primate species. Biulleten eksperimental'noi biologii i meditsiny, 124, 92-96.

Chirkov, A. M., Chirkova, S. K., & Startsev, V. G. (1988). Emotional stress in monkeys. Moscow: Nauka.

Chirkov, A. M. & Voit, I. S. (1990). Etiological Atlas of psycho-pharmacological investigations on P. hamadryas. Sukhumi: Alashara.

Dzhikidze, E. K. (1986). Modelling of bacterial infections on monkeys. Vestnik Akademii meditsinskikh nauk SSSR, 93, 54-56.

Dzhikidze, E. K. (1996). History of the development of national medical primatology. Vestnik Russkoi akademii meditsinskikh nauk, 10, 40-47.

Fridman, E. P. (1977). Biological prerequisites and quan-titative characteristics of medical investigations on monkeys. Vestnik Akademii meditsinskikh nauk SSSR, 10, 72-80.

Fridman, E. P. & Popova, V. N. (1987). Biological and quantitative research characteristics of medical investigations on three genera of Old World monkeys: Macaca, Papio, and Cercopithecus. Vestnik akademii meditsinskikh nauk SSSR, 10, 32-37.

Goncharova, N. D. (1997). Hormonal function of the adrenal glands in humans and monkeys during hemoblastoses and aging. Biulleten Eksperimental'noi biologii i Meditsiny, 124, 207-210.

Korzaya, L. I., Lapin, B. A., Shevtsova, Z. V., Krilova, R. I., & Esvandzhiya, N. Ch. (1998). Characterization of experimental models of Hepatitis A in P. hamadryas. Biulleten eksperimental'noi biologii i meditsiny, 124, 67-70.

Lapin, B. A. & Cherkovich, G. M. (1972). Biological Normals. In R. N. T.-W. Fiennes (Ed.), Pathology of Simian Primates, Part 1. General Pathology (pp. 78-156). Basel: Karger.

Lapin, B. A., Krilova, R. I., Cherkovich, G. M., & Asanov, N. S. (1979). Observations from Sukhumi. In D. M. Bowden (Ed.), Aging in Nonhuman Primates (pp. 14-37). New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Ruttkay-Nedecky, I. & Cherkovich, G. M. (1977). The orthogonal electrocardiogram and vectorcardiogram of baboons and macaques. Lekarske Prace, 14[2].

Startsev, V. G. (1971). Modelling of neurogenic diseases of man in experiments on monkeys. Moscow: Meditsina.

Startsev, V. G. (1972). Neurogenic ventricular achylia in monkeys. Leningrad: Nauka.

Yakovleva, L. A., Lennert, K., Chikobava, M. G., Indzhiia, L. V., Klots, I. N., & Lapin, B. A. (1993). Morphological characteristics of malignant T-cell lymphoma in baboons. Virchows Archiv. A, Pathological Anatomy and Histopathology, 422, 109-120.

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Resources Wanted and Available

"18q- Syndrome"

"There is a very interesting disorder in humans accompanied by a number of anatomical phenotypic effects presumably caused by a series of small molecular deletions in the long arm (q) of chromosome 18. The 18q- syndrome, as it is known in the literature, is characterized by hearing loss, midfacial hypoplasia, growth deficiency, and deformed limbs and skeletal system. More specific features include a carp-shaped mouth, tapering fingers, and the absence of eyelids. The severity of morphological abnormalities appears to be consistent with the size of the deletion, i.e. a small deletion of the chromosome will result in a mild to moderate phenotypic effect.

"Since our laboratory has been identifying DNA markers on all of the chromosomes of the rhesus monkey, we have the capability of detecting such a deletion in rhesus even though our research might be characterized as 'looking for a needle in a haystack.' We are asking if anyone has observed any mild or striking behavioral or morphological abnormalities in rhesus monkeys in your care. If so, and if any of these monkeys are available, we would like to obtain a small (1 ml) blood sample to test. For instructions for handling and shipping blood to us, contact W. H. Stone or L. R. Ludvico, Department of Biology, Trinity University, 715 Stadium Drive, San Antonio, TX 78212-7200 [210-736-8347; fax: 210-736-7229; e-mail: lludvico@trinity.edu; or see <www.trinity.edu/~wstone/index.htm>. Be assured that your contribution will be acknowledged." - Posted to the Alloprimate mailing list

NIH Establishes Malaria Reagent Repository

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, has awarded a seven-year contract to the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) for the establishment of a Malaria Research and Reference Reagent Repository (MR4). MR4 will acquire parasite, vector and relevant host cell reagents, by donation and procurement; ensure their standardization, characterization and documentation; and provide these materials to qualified investigators throughout the world at only the cost of shipping. MR4 will disseminate information about malaria reagents through print, electronic media, and attendance at major meetings. The repository will also sponsor workshops to facilitate the transfer of technology and scientific information to the malaria research community.

ATCC is a global nonprofit bioscience organization established in 1925, with the mission to acquire, authenticate, preserve, develop, and distribute biological information, technology, intellectual property, and standards for the advancement, validation, and application of scientific knowledge. Within the MR4, distribution of vector reagents will be handled by the Division of Parasitic Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ATCC will form an international MR4 advisory committee to assist with prioritization of additional reagents for acquisition by the repository. ATCC is establishing a Web site for the malaria repository that will be accessible through their homepage <www.atcc.org> and linked to other malaria Web sites.

Primagam®, a Test for Tuberculosis in Primates

Primagam®, a test for tuberculosis in primates, is the latest in a series of TB test kits based on diagnostic technology developed by CSL and CSIRO Animal Health in Australia. "We realized in the 1980s that we'd never get a good test for TB if we relied on the conventional approach of detecting antibodies. Instead we targeted certain 'killer T-cells', special white blood cells that animals produce when they're attacked by the TB bacterium," Paul Wood, leader of the team that developed the tests, said. CSL's USA subsidiary Biocor Animal Health will market Primagam® in the United States. For more information contact Paul Wood [03 9389 1252; e-mail: paulw@csl.com.au].

The Scent of a Bushbaby

"We have a colony of small-eared bushbabies and are engaged in some olfactory research. We would like to locate another colony of any species of greater bushbaby (Otolemur crassicaudatus, O. garnettii, or other) in order to obtain additional scent samples. If you have access to any of these species and would like to collaborate with us by collecting and sending scent samples that we might use in discrimination tests, please contact Jeannette P. Ward, Dept of Psychology, Univ. of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152." - Posted to PrimateScience, 3 Dec. 1998

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A Review of Hand Preferences in Nonhuman Primates: Some Data from Patas Monkeys

Julie A. Teichroeb
University of Calgary

Introduction

Preferential use of one hand is the most obvious behavioral manifestation of the lateralized functioning of the human nervous system (King, 1995). About 90% of the human population displays a consistent right hand preference (Annett, 1987). This population-level trend toward right-handedness is generally considered an important step in the left-hemisphere specializations of the brain displayed by humans (De Vieeschouwer et al., 1995). The hand preferences displayed by nonhuman primates may shed some light upon when and why hemisphere specialization evolved in humans.

Many inconsistencies appear within the current data for lateralization in nonhuman primates. Age and sex have been shown to influence handedness in some species (Forsythe & Ward, 1988; Westergaard & Suomi, 1993; Stafford et al, 1990; Milliken et al., 1990; McGrew & Marchant, 1992; Ward et al., 1990; Colell et al, 1995; Boesch, 1991; Milliken et al, 1989). Cross-generational similarities have also been seen in some species but not in others (Forsythe & Ward, 1988; Matoba et al., 1991; Ku-bota, 1990; Brinkman, 1984). Type of manipulation performed, posture of the animal, and proximity of the object all seem to have strong influences on hand use (Bennett et al., 1995; Anderson et al., 1996; De Vleeschouwer et al., 1995; Hopkins, 1993; Roney & King, 1993; Boesch, 1991; Sanford et al., 1984; Olson et al., 1989).

In 1987 Annet proposed a theory for the evolution of handedness which she dubbed the "right shift" theory. Working mainly with human data, she argued that handedness and cerebral asymmetries are controlled by a single gene locus. The majority of the population carry at least one copy of the dominant right-shift allele (RS+), which produces right-handedness and left-cerebral control of speech. Those homozygous for the recessive allele (RS-) display no overall trend to be right- or left-handed, or to have speech controlled primarily by one hemisphere or the other. These individuals may show handedness and cerebral dominance, but there is no prejudice favoring one side over the other (Corballis, 1989). Judging from observed phenotypes, Annett proposes that there is a heterozygote advantage in the RS gene (Annett, 1991). MacNeilage et al. (1991) have criticized this theory, saying that it can not be applied to nonhuman primates because it is based on human data and speech patterns.

In 1987, MacNeilage et al. developed their "postural origins" theory in an effort to explain inconsistencies in the nonhuman primate data on lateralization. This theory suggests that laterality first developed when early primates used one arm to support themselves in an upright position. Thus the other arm (and hand) became more specialized in reaching for food. They infer that it was most likely the right arm that was used for support, so that the left arm (and right hemisphere) became specialized in visually guided reaching (Corballis, 1989). Afterward, with the change from a vertical clinging to a quadrupedal postural mode in many primates, and with the decreasing importance of unimanual predation, a right-hand preference for more manipulative tasks may have evolved. This theory has been disputed by many researchers (e.g., Warren, 1987; Denenberg, 1988) and the evidence does not support it in every case.

The aim of the present study was to test the "postural origins" theory on a group of captive patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas), and to test for any prevalent age, sex, or familial effects on hand preference. In 1966, Hall and Mayer found that of seven patas monkeys, three had a highly significant right-hand preference, two had a less significant left-hand preference, and two were inconsistent between tests (though they were consistent within tests). All of these tests involved visually guided reaching for food, so a left-hand preference should have been displayed according to the "postural origins" theory. Hall and Mayer did not investigate any connections between hand use and sex, age, or familial background.

Methods
Adapted from Fragaszy & Mitchell, 1990)

Subjects: Five (4 female, 1 male) patas monkeys aged 12-14 years and two (1 male, 1 female) aged 6 years served as subjects for this study. The older male was the father of both younger animals. The presence of two males (unusual for a patas group) made it possible to test hand preferences between the sexes. The presence of two matrilines also made it possible to look at crossgener-ational effects on handedness. The animals were housed in an enclosure at the Calgary Zoo, containing two indoor areas and one large outdoor area. All subjects exhibited normal use of their hands and arms. Observations were done from October 27 to December 4, 1997.

Procedure: To control for the inclination of primates to use the closest hand to an object, the space in front of the animal was divided into three approximately equal quadrats (left, right, and center). Hand use was recorded for four discrete activities: feeding, searching for food on the floor, grooming others, and agonistic activities. Animals were observed continuously during each observation session and all occurrences of hand use in each quadrat were marked on a tally sheet.

Feeding acts were defined as the subject using one or both hands to grasp any food object and bring it to the mouth. Only one score was marked as long as the subject had the food item in hand. Searching acts consisted of a brush of the subject's hand across the straw or debris on the cage floor in search of food. Only the first in a series of brushes was recorded. Agonistic acts consisted of hitting, slapping, or grabbing motions directed at another monkey. These three activities are visually guided, and therefore should have elicited a left hand preference according to the "postural origins" theory (MacNeilage et al., 1987). The fourth measure, grooming, was defined as the use of one or both hands to separate the fur of another monkey and pick off small objects. It was included to provide an index of handedness in a skilled manipulative act, which should have displayed a right hand preference according to the "postural origins" theory. The hand used to brush and hold the fur aside was not marked, only the hand that performed the picking and grooming motion.

Analysis: At least 150 scorable acts were obtained per monkey and were tallied by category and by hand used. For each subject a percentage of right-hand preference was determined by dividing the total number of scored right-hand acts by the total number of acts. On the basis of these percentages, subjects were classified as right-, left-, or ambiguously handed. Subjects with percentages between 40% and 60% were considered to have ambiguous hand preference (Hopkins, 1993). The frequency scores for right- and left-hand use were pooled for acts in each quadrat. These values were then subjected to chi-square analysis, with an even split in hand usage employed as the expected values (Table 1). Chi-square analysis was also used between quadrats, age classes, sexes, and matrilines to determine whether the differences between them were significant.

Results

No population-level asymmetry in hand preferences was seen in this group of patas monkeys. Sex was not a factor in hand preference. One male had a significant left hand preference and one male was significantly right-handed. The females also varied, with one female significantly right-handed, one significantly left-handed, and three showing no hand preference. Age also did not have a significant effect on handedness (average right use between young and old group, Chi-sq = 0.532). This may be due to the fact that all of the animals in this group were adults.

There was a significant relationship between family and hand preference. Matriline 1 (two sisters and a son) tended to be right handed, and matriline 2 (two sisters and a daughter) tended toward greater left hand use. The overall differences in the average left and right hand use between the two groups were significant (right

Sex  Age (yr) % Right-use Chi-sq Hand pref. 
m  13+  2 141.2***  left 
m (a)  6  62  8.53**  right 
f (a)  13+  79 I 83.52***  right 
f (a)  13+  54  0.986 ambiguous
f (b) 12+ 49  0.026  ambiguous
f (b) 12+  42  3.498  ambiguous
f (b) 6  40  6.*  

Table 1: Individual hand preferences (a = Matriline 1; b = Matriline 2). Chi-sq is overall left use vs. overall right use (df = 1), * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001.

Every monkey used the center quadrat significantly more than the other quadrats, independent of hand preference. The activities most often seen varied between mon-keys. Feeding and searching were the two most common activities. In some monkeys, agonism and grooming were not seen at all.

When the tasks were divided into visually guided tasks (feeding, searching, and agonism) and manipulative tasks (grooming) the proportion of left and right hand use was fairly even. Unfortunately, there was not enough grooming seen to provide data for a skilled, manipulative activity. The visually guided tasks should have displayed a left-hand preference according to the "postural origins" theory. However the total difference in right and left use in these tasks was not statistically significant (Chi-sq = 1.108).

Discussion

The similarities in hand preferences displayed within matrilines in this group, as well as the dissimilarities between the adult male and his offspring, suggest that hand preferences in patas monkeys may be learned. If hand use were passed genetically, one would expect the adult male to be more similar to his offspring. However, it is certainly possible that he possesses recessive genes that caused his offspring to express the genes they received from their mothers. No valid conclusions can be drawn using data from such a small group. However, maternal effects on handedness have been found previously in other primate species, including long-tailed macaques, Japanese macaques, common marmosets, chimpanzees, and humans.

In 1984 Brinkman studied the hand preferences of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). She found that of 26 offspring of parents with different hand preferences, 23 had the same preference as the female, and were different from that of the male. She also noted that within groups consisting of a female and her offspring (who were not always full siblings), the way offspring executed movements was very similar to that of the female. Kubota (1990) also found maternal effects on handedness in a group of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). Although the numbers were not statistically significant, left-hand preferent mothers tended to have left-hand preferent young. Right-hand preferent mothers did not show the same tendencies, with their young having right or left hand preferences to an equal extent. McGrew and Marchant (1997) cite Hopkins (unpublished data) who looked at hand preferences in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), comparing maternal and paternal full and half siblings that were raised by their mothers or by human surrogates. He found that regardless of rearing condition, there was a strong concordance for maternal but not paternal effects on handedness. Human infants (6-13 months of age) have also been shown to have strong maternal influences on handedness (Harkins & Michel, 1988). Infants of left-handed mothers showed more left hand use than infants of left-handed fathers or infants of right-handed parents. 64% of infants with left-handed mothers displayed significant left hand use scores whereas none of the infants in the other groups had significant left-hand use scores.

Matoba et al. (1991) also found that individual differences in hand preferences can be passed from one generation to the next through the mother in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus jacchus). As in our patas group, handedness in offspring was strongly influenced by that of their mother, but not of their father. This is interesting, considering that marmoset fathers as well as mothers care for the infants. If hand preference is learned, one would expect some correlation with the father as well. Unfortunately there was no information available to Matoba et al. on the early care received by their subjects. This study leads one to question whether the learned component of handedness is sufficient to explain the high correlations between mothers and offspring.

One study has shown paternal effects on hand preference. Hopkins and Bard (1993) studied 76 captive chimpanzees and found that an offspring's hand bias was affected by both father and mother. Half-siblings also resembled one another more closely than was expected by chance. This study lends support to the genetic argument for handedness, especially since chimpanzees receive most of their early care from their mothers.

McGrew and Marchant (1997) point out that since in most primate groups paternity is questionable, most researchers have only been able to trace handedness through maternal lines. This may have led to artificially inflated correlations between mothers and offspring. It also misses any potential paternal influences that could strengthen the genetic case for hand preference. Hopkins and Bard's (1993) study lends support to this argument because they show that with a knowledge of paternity and a large sample, paternal effects on handedness are evident in chimpanzees. The most objective way to settle this point would be to study handedness in every species, in large groups where paternity for all offspring is known. This is probably impossible. It may also be the case (and most likely is) that relative effects of genetics and learned behavior on handedness differ between species.

The data from the present study do not fit into the patterns predicted by the "postural origins" theory (Mac-Neilage et al., 1987). We found a slight left-hand preference for visually guided activities, but the difference was not statistically significant. The presence of the adult male in this sample (who used his right hand only 2% of the time) may also have pushed the data towards the left. In fact, if he is removed from the sample a right-hand preference emerges for visually guided activities. We did not observe enough grooming data to gauge handedness in a skilled manipulative act. A superficial right-hand preference emerged for manipulative acts, mainly because the sample was very small and most of the data was from one right-handed monkey. More data is needed to tell whether or not patas monkeys have a right-hand preference in manipulative acts.

Conclusions: According to our results, hand preference in patas monkeys is strongly influenced by the handedness displayed on the maternal, but not the paternal, side. There is a need for further studies on handedness in patas monkeys, because individual idiosyncrasies can have a large impact on data from small groups. It would be interesting to see if other groups display the familial effects on handedness that were seen here. A left-hand preference for visually guided acts, as predicted by the "postural origins" theory, was not found in this group. However, the data was not sufficient to dismiss a right-hand preference for manipulative acts in patas monkeys.

References

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Annet, M. (1987). Handedness as chance or as species characteristic. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 10, 263-264.

Bennett, A. J., Ward, J. P., Milliken, G. W., & Stafford, D. K. (1995). Analysis of lateralized components of feeding behavior in the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 109, 27-33.

Boesch, C. (1991). Handedness in wild chimpanzees. International Journal of Primatology, 12, 541-558.

Brinkman, C. (1984). Determinants of hand preference in Macaca fascicularis. International Journal of Primatology, 5, 325.

Colell, M., Segara, M. D., & Sabater-Pi, J. (1995). Manual laterality in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in complex tasks. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 109, 298-307.

Corballis, M. C. (1989). Laterality and human evolution. Psychological Review, 96, 492-505.

De Vleeschouwer, K., Van Elsacker, L., & Verheyen, R. F. (1995). Effect of posture on hand preferences during experimental food reaching in bonobos (Pan paniscus). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 109, 203-207.

Denenberg, V. H. (1988). Handedness hangups and species snobbery. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 11, 721-722.

Forsythe, C. & Ward, J. P. (1988). Black lemur (Lemur macaco) hand preference in food reaching. Primates, 29, 369-374.

Fragaszy, D. M. & Mitchell, S. R. (1990). Hand preference and performance on unimanual and bimanual tasks in capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 104, 275-282.

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Hopkins, W. D. (1993). Posture and reaching in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 107, 162-168.

Hopkins, W. D. & Bard, K. A. (1993). Hemispheric specialization in infant chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Evidence for a relation with gender and arousal. Developmental Psychobiology, 26, 219-235.

King, J. E. (1995). Laterality in hand preferences and reaching accuracy of cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 109, 34-41.

Kubota, K. (1990). Preferred hand use in the Japanese macaque troop Arashiyama-R, during visually guided reaching for food pellets. Primates, 31, 393-426.

MacNeilage, P. F., Studdert-Kennedy, M. G., & Lindblom, B. (1987). Primate handedness reconsidered. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 10, 247-303.

MacNeilage, P. F., Studdert-Kennedy, M. G. & Lindblom, B. (1991). Primate handedness:The other theory, the other hand and the other attitude (plus critical comments). Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 14, 344-349.

Matoba, M., Masataka, N., & Tanioka, Y. (1991). Cross-generational continuity of hand use preference in marmosets. Behaviour, 117, 281-286.

McGrew, W. C. & Marchant, L. F. (1992). Chimpanzees, tools, and termites: Hand preferences or handedness? Current Anthropology, 33, 114-119.

McGrew, W. C. & Marchant, L. F. (1997). On the other hand: Current issues in and meta-analysis of the behavioral laterality of hand function in nonhuman primates. Yearbook of Physical Anthropology, 40, 201-232.

Milliken, G. W., Forsythe, C., & Ward, J. P. (1989). Multiple measures of hand-use lateralization in the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 103, 262-268.

Milliken, G. W., Stafford, D. K., Dodson, D. L., Pinger, C. D., & Ward, J. P. (1991). Analyses of feeding lateralization in the small-eared bushbaby (Otolemur garnettii): A comparison with the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 105, 274-285.

Olson, D. A., Ellis, J. E., & Nadler, R. D. (1989). Hand preferences in captive gorillas, orangutans and gibbons. American Journal of Primatology, 20, 83-94.

Roney, L. S. & King, J. E. (1993). Postural effects on manual reaching laterality in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) and cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 107, 380-385.

Sanford, C., Guin, K., & Ward, J. P. (1984). Posture and laterality in the bushbaby (Galago senegalensis). Brain, Behavior and Evolution, 25, 217-224.

Stafford, D. K., Milliken, G. W., & Ward, J. P. (1990). Lateral bias in feeding and brachiation in Hylobates. Primates, 31, 407-414.

Ward, J. P., Milliken, G. W., Dodson, D. L., Stafford, D. K., & Wallace, M. (1990). Handedness as a function of sex and age in a large population of Lemur. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 104, 167-173.

Warren, J. M. (1987). Primate handedness: Inadequate analysis, invalid conclusions. Behavior and Brain Sciences, 10, 288-289.

Westergaard, G. C. & Suomi, S. J. (1993). Hand preference in capuchin monkeys varies with age. Primates, 34, 295-299.

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Author's address: 487 Whiteridge Rd N.E., Calgary, Alberta T1Y 4K4, Canada [e-mail: jateichr@acs.ucalgary.ca].

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* * *

Behavioral Enrichment for Nonhuman Primates

Leif Cocks, Christine Baker, Grant Harris, and Fleur Butcher
Perth Zoo Primate Section

At Perth Zoo, we integrate a daily and weekly schedule of behavioral enrichment for our orangutan colony, in order to maintain the animals' natural wild activity levels and therefore benefit their long-term mental health.

The correct social environment, whether a large social group, a monogamous pairing, or a solitary lifestyle, is the best way to assure well-being for captive primates. They get the best stimulation and are less stressed when their social needs are taken into consideration.

Foraging for food is the next most important factor. A large part of any primate's day in the wild is spent foraging for food; in captivity that source of activity is frequently removed by providing food once, twice, or three times a day, in large amounts.

Variety of foods, textures, and tastes is as important as presentation. Variety and presentation in as close to the natural state as possible can be an important part of behavioral enrichment for nonhuman primates.

One of the objectives of any behavioral enrichment program is to ensure that natural levels and times of activities approach the wild situation. It is critical to observe the levels and timing of activities, and to evaluate the success of any behavioral enrichment program by comparison to wild levels, if known.

There are four main types of behavioral enrichment to consider: * complex environment; * indestructible toys; * destructible toys; and * "work for food rewards". Positive reinforcement training is a separate category that can have immense benefits.

A complex environment involves functionally complex structures, using a variety of textures and diameters in climbing furniture, with vertical and horizontal components; movement of structures; platforms, nesting sites, and appropriate nesting materials; and ground covers and substrates.

Indestructible toys should be non-toxic, cheap and contain no lethal parts. To maintain their novelty, they should be rotated regularly. Examples include heavy duty plastic chairs, bin lids, crates, and boomer balls. One indestructible toy, often available free, is the industrial hard hat. Companies dispose of these regularly and, once the inner padding and strapping is removed, these are versatile toys for any type of primate, whether fixed as a hanging basket or loose.

Destructible toys should be cheap and readily available, and may often be donated. Examples include cardboard rolls, inserts, and boxes (from local stores), old telephone books (with popcorn inserted into pages and taped in), magazines (sachets removed, perfume sample pages left in), pine cones stuffed with popcorn, paper sacks rolled up and tied, and burlap sacks.

"Work for food reward" items should be low-calorie, small, and not ruin the animals' appetite for their main diet. A large variety of different treats can be alternated daily, such as raisins, popcorn, puffed wheat or rice, nuts in the shell, mixed dried fruit pieces, mixed nut kernels, sunflower seeds, and maize.

The orangutans most prefer treats presented in puzzle boxes and dip tubes. The puzzle box we use is a steel box bolted to a climbing platform, with a welded mesh top, slots on one side and a steel maze inside. Treats are placed inside before the orangutans come out in the morning. They are given a 30-cm bamboo stick, which they use for the puzzle boxes and the dip tubes. We expected them to manipulate each treat through the maze and out through the slots. However, their ability to manipulate tools and solve problems has meant that they either spear each item and lift it through the mesh at the top, or herd all of the treats into one pile and take them through the maze in one operation, rather than one by one.

The "dip tube" is a length of steel pipe welded to the orangs' climbing frame, with a padlocked screw-off cap at the base. The base holds honey, peanut butter, or a different flavor jam each day of the week. They dip for this with the bamboo stick in the same way that they dip for termites in the wild. One exhibit has a naturalistic-looking termite mound, made of sprayed-on concrete, with seven plastic tubes inserted and protruding into the internal chamber. The cap can be screwed onto a different tube each day.

The orangs' browse feed is a source of much activity, and signals the end of the midday siesta (which seems to echo their wild patterns of activity). Later in the afternoon we throw sunflower seeds into the tall grass, which keeps them busy for an hour or so.

Weekly activities include: * ice blocks in three layers: two layers of different flavored cordials, middle layer water with mixed dried fruit bits frozen within; * treat boxes: five cardboard boxes within boxes (like Russian dolls) taped up with three walnuts (or similar) inside the smallest; * giant bamboo cut into pieces, alternating one length sealed at both ends with one length open at each end (this utilizes all of the bamboo). The sealed sections have 3 or 4 holes drilled along the length and sunflower seeds poured in. The holes are plugged with dried apricots or figs. The unsealed sections are packed with a mixture of flour, water, and lots of sunflower seeds or maize kernels, which then sets very hard and must be picked out bit by bit.

One item we sometimes use when orangutans need to be kept in the night quarters (e.g., while maintenance is carried out on the exhibit) is the PVC workstation. This consists of four PVC pipes about 2.5" in diameter, suspended horizontally one above the other, separated by about 10 cm. The pipes are bolted to two brackets, which are permanently fixed to the outside of the night quarters' wall mesh. The top pipe has wide holes drilled in the side facing the enclosure for primates to reach jam with a bamboo stick; the other three are a "move along and drop" series vertical maze. The device is mounted over the feed chute, so that the treats fall into the chute once the maze has been completed. This workstation would be suitable for any indoor quarters that are made of mesh.

Positive reinforcement training is a labor-intensive activity for animal handlers and keepers, but has many positive outcomes. The relationship developed is one-on-one; it only involves positive reinforcement; the behaviors encouraged can be used for medical treatments; and it adds to the challenging environment that stimulates mental activity in primates. Behaviors we have trained include: * opening the mouth on command for inspection of teeth and gums; * presenting the shoulder or rump to accept an injection (we have used this successfully for a diabetic orangutan); * presenting a hand and accepting a lancet prick for a small amount of blood; * presenting the ear and holding still for a thermometer.

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Authors' address: Perth Zoo, P.O. Box 489, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia [e-mail: Reg.Gates@perthzoo.wa.gov.au].

This paper is based on a July, 1998, posting to Primate-Talk.

Anyone requiring further details or plans on any of these enrichment ideas are welcome to contact any of the authors.

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* * *

Awards Granted

Martha J. Galante Award - IPS

The Martha J. Galante Award is given each year by the International Primatological Society for the conservation training of professionals in primate habitat countries. Candidates are reviewed by the IPS Conservation Committee. This year it was presented to Dr. Mukesh Kumar Chalise of the Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal. Dr. Chalise is one of very few primatologists in Nepal, and is currently studying Macaca assamensis in the Makalu-Barun Conservation Area. For more information on this award, write to Dr. Ernesto Rodríguez-Luna, Vice President for Conservation, IPS, c/o Inst. de Neuroetología, Univ. Veracruzana, Veracruz 91000, México [52-28-12-57-48; fax: 52-28-17-65-39 or 52-28-12-57-46; e-mail: saraguat@speedy.coacade.uv.mx].

Veterinary Society Honors Whitehair

Dr. Leo Whitehair, who has served as Director of the National Center for Research Resources, NIH, for more than 11 years, was named an Honorary Diplomate of the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society. The award was presented on July 29 at the Society's annual meeting. Dr. Whitehair was recognized for his outstanding contributions to both animal and human health through his expertise in veterinary epidemiology. - From the NCRR Reporter, October-December, 1998

Bayne Honored by AALAS

Kathryn A. Bayne, Associate Director for Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International, was honored for her outstanding contributions to laboratory animal care at the annual meeting of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. She received the Joseph J. Garvey Award, which is based on meritorious contributions or outstanding accomplishments in administration, education, or support programs relating to the care, quality, or humane treatment of animals used in biomedical research.

$35 Million for Biodiversity Research

San Francisco (October 5, 1998. ©1998 Nando.net and Reuters News Service) - Intel Corporation co-founder Gordon Moore has announced a $35 million gift to sponsor an "early warning system" for threats to global biological diversity. Moore, Chairman Emeritus of the world's largest maker of computer chips, said the gift was to spur action as plant and animal species vanish into extinction faster than ever. Moore's bequest will fund the new Center for Applied Biodiversity Science at Conservation International, a non-profit environmental group in Washington, DC.

Officials of the Center said it will work as an "early warning system" by forecasting crises in biodiversity hot spots such as tropical wilderness areas and fragile marine ecosystems. It will also create fellowships and build a global network of experts and policy-makers concerned with the threats to world biological diversity, which range from "predatory" logging and mining operations to the devastating impact of invasive alien species introduced into non-native habitats. 

* * *

"Primates de las Americas...La Página"

** Favor de notar el cambio de dirección electrónica

Individualidad Conductual o "Personalidad" en Primates No Humanos. Ana María Santillán Doherty, Investigadora Asociada "C", Laboratorio de Etología, División Neurociencias, Instituto Mexicano de Psiquiatría (IMP), Tlalpán, México, D.F. [e-mail: santild@imp.edu.mx].

Se ha considerado que el principal objetivo de la psicología evolutiva es explicar el comportamiento humano a través de su evolución fiologenética, abriéndose así una nueva concepción hacia el entendimiento del fenómeno del comportamiento. Una de las áreas que reciben primordial atención es el de la salud mental y su relación con los neurotransmisores y la genética; asimismo, otras áreas importantes alrededor de la comprensión de las interacciones sociales complejas y la cognición son el principal objetivo de mis investigaciones científicas.

Utilizando instrumentos factoriales y la metodología para la evaluación de la personalidad en primates no humanos, hemos podido localizar varias similitudes con relación a lo encontrado en humanos. Por ejemplo, una fuerte correlación entre el "factor de búsqueda de la novedad" y el gen D4DR ha sido reportado por humanos y, aunque la correlación con las características de personalidad de los primates no se ha dado, es sabido que estos animales desarrollan el gen. Con base en lo anterior, me permito proponer que en animales tan cercanos filogenéticamente a los humanos como los primates, la presencia de los receptores del genotipo D4 también confieren cierta susceptibilidad hacia el fenotipo de "búsqueda de la novedad". Si esto es así, se puede decir que es posible desarrollar un animal como modelo psicobiológico para evaluar diferentes características del temperamento. Considero que la contribución de los estudios primatológicos al conocimiento del fenómeno arriba descrito, deberán ser muy útiles en la generación (desde un punto de vista evolutivo) de modelos explicativos del comportamiento humano.

Por este medio se invita a proponer temas y participar en el próximo Simposio Nacional de Primatología a celebrarse en la ciudad de Catemaco, Veracruz, México durante el período comprendido del 6 al 9 de Septiembre de 1999. Asimismo, se invita a pertenecer como miembro de la Asociación a todos los interesados en la investigación o divulgación del universo primatológico. Las cuotas para 1999 son de $300.00 pesos (U.S.$30.00) para profesionales y $100.00 pesos (U.S.$10.00) para estudiantes (previa comprobación). El procedimiento para lo anterior es enviar un cheque a nombre de Jorge Ocampo Carapia (Tesorero de la AMP), adjuntando todos los datos personales e institucionales a la siguiente dirección: Depto. de Filosofía UAM-Iztapalapa, Apdo. postal 55-536, 09340, México, D.F. Finalmente, cualquier informe sobre este evento favor de dirigirse a Dr. Jorge Martínez Contreras (Presidente de la AMP) [(5) 724 47 85, (5) 7 24 47 41; fax: (5) 7 24 47 78, e-mail; amp@xanum.uam.mx] ó con MC. Francisco García Orduña (Representante de la AMP para el estado de Veracruz), [(28) 12 57 48; e-mail: garod@bugs.invest.uv.mx].

El Consejo Canadiense para el Cuidado Animal (Canadian Council on Animal Care - CCAC) se complace en anunciar que se ha traducido al español la "Manual Sobre el Cuidado y Uso de los Animales de Experimentación" (Vol. 1, 2nd Edn). Esta publicación ha sido posible gracias al apoyo económico del Instituto Interamericano para la Cooperación en la Agricultura (IICA) y el CCAC.

Sin duda, este documento proveerá a los colegas hispanoparlantes de una referencia de primer nivel sobre el cuidado y uso de los animales de laboratorio. El CCAC y el IICA consideran que este documento fomentará un sentido de ética y responsabilidad en el uso de los animales en la investigación, asimismo, ayudará a los académicos y a los involucrados en el tema a desarrollar dentro de sus instituciones, programas de alta calidad en el cuidado animal.

Los interesados pueden adquirir copias del "Manual Sobre el Cuidado y Uso de los Animales de Experimentación" a la dirección del CCAC con un costo de U.S.$25.00. Mayor información del CCAC puede ser obtenida del sitio Web <www.ccac.ca>. Dr. Gilly Griffin, Information Officer, Canadian Council on Animal Care, Constitution Square, Tower II, 315-350 Albert Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 1B1, Canada [613-238-4031; fax: 613-238-2837; e-mail: ggriffin@bart.ccac.ca].

La Sociedad Española para las Ciencias del Animal de Laboratorio (Spanish Society for Laboratory Animal Science - SECAL) se complace en anunciar tres artículos en el idioma español sobre la regulación en el manejo de animales de laboratorio. Estos artículos se podrán consultar en la siguiente dirección Web: <www.hulp.es/secal/secal.html>.

Asimismo, información reciente sobre la próxima reunión de la Federación de Asociaciones Europeas para el Estudio de la Ciencia del Animal de Laboratorio (Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations - FELASA) puede localizarse en la siguiente página Web: <www.hulp.es/secal/meeting.html>.

En esta página Web, es posible localizar información sobre todo lo necesario para participar en tal evento, así como la posibilidad de obtener financiamiento para jóvenes científicos que quieran participar en el mismo. A los interesados favor de contactar con José M. Orellana (SECAL), Univ. de Alcalá, Centro de Experimentación Animal, España [+ 34 91 885 45 71; fax: + 34 91 885 45 44; e-mail: cea@uah.alcala.es].

* * *

Grants Available

NIH Grants Policy Statement

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced the publication of the NIH Grants Policy Statement (NIHGPS). The NIHGPS is effective for all NIH grants and cooperative agreements with budget periods beginning on or after October 1, 1998, and will supersede, in its entirety, previous PHS Grants Policy Statements as a standard term and condition of award.

The NIHGPS is intended to make available to NIH grantees, in a single document, up-to-date policy guidance that will serve as the terms and conditions of NIH awards. This document is also designed to be useful to those interested in NIH grants by providing information about NIH.

An electronic copy of the NIHGPS is available at <www.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/>.

NSF Support for Undergraduate Mentoring

The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Divisions of Environmental Biology (DEB) and Integrative Biology and Neuroscience (IBN) in the Directorate for Biological Sciences are soliciting proposals for Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology (UMEB), an activity designed to enhance the opportunities for undergraduate students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to participate in research in environmental biology. We particularly encourage UMEB proposals involving collaboration between research universities and predominantly undergraduate institutions with significant minority enrollment and/or a tradition of training minority students. For the purposes of this solicitation, underrepresented groups include persons with disabilities and members of racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in science and engineering: Native Americans (American Indians and Alaskan Natives), Blacks (African Americans), Native Pacific Islanders (Polynesians or Micronesians), and Hispanics (Latinos).

Also for the purposes of this solicitation, "environmental biology" is broadly defined to include areas of research funded by IBN Programs in Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology, Integrative Plant Biology, Integrative Animal Biology, and Animal Behavior, as well as areas of research funded by DEB Programs in Systematic Biology, Population Biology, Biotic Surveys and Inventories, Ecology, Ecosystems, Long-term Research in Environmental Biology, and Long-term Ecological Research Sites. This activity is an extension of, and builds upon, NSF's Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. Proposals received by January 15 will be considered for awards to start in September.

The intent of this activity is to provide support for talented students to gain research experience and an enriched educational environment in environmental biology. Proposed projects should include major emphasis on direct student participation in research during the academic year and summer, with individual students continuing in the program for more than one year. Projects should emphasize factors that encourage and enable members of underrepresented groups to enter and remain in environmental biology, as broadly defined above. 

The UMEB activity will consider proposals from any institution that has at least three currently funded or recently expired (no earlier than January 15, 1997) multi-year research awards (excluding Small Grants for Exploratory Research; equipment, planning, travel, symposium, facilities, and training grants; and supplements or fellowships) from DEB and/or from the Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology, Integrative Plant Biology, Integrative Animal Biology, and/or Animal Behavior Programs in IBN. Institutions submitting collaborative proposals must have, collectively, a total of at least three such awards, and must describe logistical arrangements for coordination.

For more information about the UMEB activity and for details about proposal submission, please consult NSF 98-157, which is available at <www.nsf.gov>. For inquiries, please contact Thomas M. Frost, Program Director, Division of Environmental Biology [e-mail: tfrost@nsf.gov]; or Fred Stollnitz, Program Director, Integrative Biology and Neuroscience [e-mail: fstollni@nsf.gov] at 4201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22230.

Research on Skeletal Growth and Development

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHH), the National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR), and the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) encourage investigator-initiated research grant applications to study axial, appendicular, and craniofacial skeletal growth and development.

Applications are encouraged to study skeletal growth and development from the perspectives of mechanisms of pattern formation, cartilage induction, endochondral ossification, intramembranous bone formation, biomechanics, and the clinical treatment of related disorders. The current Program Announcement (PA) is the direct outgrowth of a workshop on the status of, and future research directions on, Skeletal Growth and Development, held in May, 1997. A detailed description of the proceedings and suggested research topics can be found in Skeletal Growth and Development: Clinical Issues and Basic Science Advances, which can be obtained from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Chicago, IL.

Applications are encouraged in any scientifically meritorious research area related to skeletal growth and development. Research applications are encouraged from all basic science disciplines pertinent to this area, as well as the various clinical specialties providing health care services for these patients.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: James S. Panagis, Orthopaedics Program, NIAMS, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-37K, MSC 4500, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5055; fax: 301-480-4543; e-mail: panagisj@ep.niams.nih.gov]; A. Tyl Hewitt, Developmental Biology, Genetics and Teratology Branch, NICHH, 6100 Executive Blvd, Rm 4B01F, MSC-7510, Bethesda, MD 20892-7510 [301-496-5541; fax: 301-402-4083; e-mail: th119v@nih.gov]; Norman Braveman, Inherited Diseases and Disorders, NIDR, 45 Center Dr., Room 4AN-24D, MSC 6500, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-2089; fax: 301-480-8318; e-mail: bravemann@de45.nidr.nih.gov]; or Ronald N. Margolis, Senior Advisor for Molecular Endocrinology, NIDDK, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AN-12J, MSC 6600, Bethesda, MD 20892-6600 [301-594-8819; fax: 301-435-6047; e-mail: rm76f@nih.gov].

The NEI Scholars Program

The National Eye Institute (NEI) Scholars Program provides an opportunity for outstanding individuals to obtain laboratory or clinical research training within the NEI intramural environment and to facilitate the successful transition to continue their research career at an extramural institution as independent vision researchers. Scholars receive high quality research training for three to four years at the NEI, followed by two years at an extramural institution. It is anticipated that NEI Scholars will subsequently compete for independent funding to continue their research.

Individuals must have a research or health professional doctoral level degree or its equivalent and must have demonstrated the potential for a highly productive research career during predoctoral training and less than five years of postdoctoral training. However, clinical training does not count against the five years.

During the intramural phase, the NEI Scholar is expected to spend full time on research. During the extramural phase, the NEI Scholar must spend a minimum of 75% of a full-time professional effort conducting research and engaging in research career development activities for the two years of the award.

Before submitting an application for the NEI Scholars Program, the candidate must identify an individual in the NEI's Division of Intramural Research who will serve as the sponsor and will be committed to supervise the training and research project. The sponsor must be an active investigator in the area of the proposed research and have research training experience and the resources needed to support the NEI Scholar.

Application receipt dates are Feb. 1, June 1, and Oct. 1 of each year. Address inquiries regarding extramural programmatic issues to: Maria Y. Giovanni, Div. of Extramural Research, NEI, 6120 Executive Blvd, Suite 350, MSC 7164, Bethesda, MD 20892-7164 [301-496-0484; fax: 301-402-0528; e-mail: myg@nei.nih.gov]. Address inquires regarding intramural issues, such as selecting a sponsor, to: Frederick Ferris, Div. of Biometry & Epidemiology [301-496-6583; e-mail: flf@b31.nei.nih.gov]; Peter F. Kador, Lab. of Ocular Therapeutics [301-496-6993; e-mail: Pk1p@nei.nih.gov]; Muriel I. Kaiser, Ophthalmic Genetics & Clinical Services Branch [301-496-3577; e-mail: Kaiserm@intra.nei.nih.gov]; Robert B. Nussenblatt, Lab. of Immunology [301-496-3123; e-mail: rnq@helix.nih.gov]; Joram Piatigorsky, Lab. of Molecular & Developmental Biology [301-496-9467; e-mail: joramp@intra.nei.nih.gov]; Scott M. Whitcup, Clinical Branch [301-496-9058; e-mail: scottw@helix.nih.gov]; Robert H. Wurtz, Lab. of Sensorimotor Research [301-496-7170; e-mail: bob@lsr.nei.nih.gov]; Barbara N. Wiggert, Lab. of Retinal Cell & Molecular Biology [301-496-5809; e-mail: bnwigg@helix.nih.gov]; or J. Samuel Zigler, Lab. of Mechanisms of Ocular Diseases [301-496-6669; e-mail: szigler@helix.nih.gov].

Fogarty International Research Collaboration Award

The Fogarty International Research Collaboration Award (FIRCA) is available to facilitate collaborative research between U.S. biomedical scientists supported by the National Institutes of Health and investigators in the developing world. Central and Eastern Europe, and countries of the former Soviet Union. The FIRCA will extend and enhance the research program of both the U.S. scientist and the collaborating foreign scientist and will help to increase the research capacity of the foreign scientist and institution. Awards are made to the U.S. applicant institution to support a collaborative research project that will be carried out mainly at the foreign collaborator's research site. Eligible countries include those in the following regions: Africa, Asia (except Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan), Central and Eastern Europe (Hungary, Poland, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania and the countries of the former Yugoslavia), Russia and the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and the Pacific Ocean Islands (except Australia and New Zealand).

These small grants will provide up to $32,000 per year in direct costs for up to three years. Funds may be used for materials and supplies necessary to conduct the collaborative research in the foreign laboratory or site and for travel directly related to the research project. Receipt dates for completed applications are November 25, March 25, and July 25. Direct inquiries to: Dr. Kathleen Michels, Div. of International Research & Training, Fogarty International Ctr, Bldg 31, Rm B2C39, MSC 2220, Bethesda, MD 20892-2220 [301-496-1653; FAX: 301-402-0779; e-mail: FIRCA@nih.gov].

Bioengineering Research Grants

Participating Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health invite applications for Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) to support basic bioengineering research, the outcomes of which are likely to advance health or health-related research within the mission of the NIH. BRG applications should propose to apply basic bioengineering design-directed or hypothesis-driven research to an important medical or biological research area.

The objective of this program announcement is to encourage research in basic bioengineering areas. Bioengineering is defined as follows: Bioengineering integrates physical, chemical, or mathematical sciences and engineering principles for the study of biology, medicine, behavior, or health. It advances fundamental concepts, creates knowledge from the molecular to the organ systems level, and develops innovative biologics, materials, processes, implants, devices, and informatics approaches for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, for patient rehabilitation, and for improving health.

Address inquiries to: Carol Dahl, NCI, Bldg 31, Rm 11A03, MSC 2590, Bethesda, MD 20892-2590 [301-496-1550; fax: 301-496-7807; e-mail: carol_dahl@nih.gov]; Richard Dubois, Biomedical Technology, NCRR, 6705 Rockledge Dr., Rm 61060, MSC 7965, Bethesda, MD 20892-7965 [301-435-0755; fax: 301-480-3659; e-mail: rickard@ncrr.nih.gov]; Lore Anne McNicol, NEI, 6120 Executive Blvd, Suite 350, MSC 7164, Bethesda, MD 20892-7164 [301-496-5301; fax: 301-402-0528; e-mail: loreanne.mcnicol@nei.nih.gov]; John T. Watson, Acting Deputy Director, NHLBI, 9000 Rockville Pike, Rm 5A49, Bethesda, MD 20892 [301-496-1078; fax: 301-402-3686; e-mail: jw53f@nih.gov]; Evan Hadley, Geriatrics, NIA, Gateway Bldg, Suite 3E327, MSC 9205, Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 [301-435-3044; fax: 301-402-1784; e-mail: hadleye@exmur.nia.nih.gov]; Jules Selden, Div. of Basic Research, NIAAA, 6000 Executive Blvd, Suite 402, MSC 7003, Bethesda, MD 20892-7003 [301-443-2678; fax: 301-594-0673; e-mail: js365c@nih.gov]; Vicki Seyfert, NIAID, 6003 Executive Blvd, Rm 4A21, Rockville, MD 20852, [301-496-7551; fax: 301-402-2571; e-mail: vs62y@nih.gov]; James S. Panagis, Musculoskeletal Diseases Branch, NIAMS, 6500 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-37K, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5055; fax: 301-480-4543; e-mail: jp149d@nih.gov]; Louis A. Quatrano, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research, NICHH, Bldg 61E, Rm 2A03, Bethesda, MD 20892-7510 [301-402-2242; fax: 301-402-0832; e-mail: quatranl@hd01.nichd.nih.gov]; Thomas G. Aigner, Div. of Basic Research, NIDA, Parklawn Bldg, Rm 10A-19, Rockville, MD 20857 [301-443-6975; fax: 301-594-6443; e-mail: ta17r@nih.gov]; Lynn E. Huerta, Div. of Human Communication, NIDOC, 6120 Executive Blvd, Rm 400-C, MSC 7180, Bethesda, MD 20892-7180 [301-402-3458; fax: 301-402-6251; e-mail: Lynn_ Huerta@nih.gov]; Richard Farishian, Office of Scientific Program & Policy Analysis, NIDDK, 31 Center Dr., Rm 9A07, Bethesda, MD 20892 [301-496-6623; fax: 301-480-6741; e-mail: rf24s@nih.gov]; Eleni Kousvelari, Div. of Extramural Research, NIDR, Natcher Bldg, Rm 4AN 18A, MSC 6402, Bethesda, MD 20892-6402 [301-594-2427; fax: 301-480-8318; e-mail: kousvelari@de45.nidr.nih.gov]; Warren Jones, Div. of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biological Chemistry, NIGMS, 45 Center Dr., Rm 2AS-43H, MSC 6200, Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 [301-594-5938; fax: 301-480-2802; e-mail: jonesw@nigms.nih.gov]; Michael F. Huerta, Div. of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience Research, NIMH, Parklawn Bldg, Rm 11-103, Rockville, MD 20857 [301-443-3563; fax: 301-443-1731; e-mail: mhuerta@helix.nih.gov]; William Heetderks, Div. of Stroke, Trauma, & Neurodegenerative Disorders, NINDS, Federal Bldg, Rm 8A13, Bethesda, MD 20892-9155 [301-496-9155; fax: 301-402-1501; e-mail: Heet@nih.gov]; or Peter Clepper, Program Officer, NLM, 6705 Rockledge Dr., Suite 301, Bethesda, MD 20871 [301-594-4882; fax: 301-402-2952; e-mail: clepper@nlm.nih.gov].

Small Grant Program for the NIAMSD

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is seeking small grant applications to stimulate and facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into high priority areas of NIAMS research. Applications are especially encouraged from new investigators who hold a faculty position at an Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or at other institutions that have student populations consisting predominantly of individuals from racial or ethnic groups that are underrepresented in science. This one-time solicitation will provide support for pilot research likely to lead to a subsequent individual research project grant.

Appropriate research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following: * studies of vasculitis and vasculopathies in animal models of rheumatic diseases, with emphasis on identification of pathogenetic mechanisms and molecular targets for therapeutic intervention; * mechanisms of self-recognition in autoimmunity and design of therapies to prevent abnormal responses to self by affecting antigen processing; * stem cell biology as related to skin, cartilage, bone, and muscle; * growth and repair of connective tissues, including skin, bone, cartilage, tendon, ligament, muscle, and the intervertebral disc; * response of connective tissue to repetitive stresses, including healing/repair, a better understanding of the relationship at the biological and biomechanical interface, and the development and validation of suitable animal models; * models and markers of gender and genetic factors in musculoskeletal injuries and diseases, including animal models of human disease; * pathogenesis of alopecia areata and vitiligo.

Direct inquiries to one of the following persons, according to scientific area: Susana A. Serrate-Sztein, Rheumatic Diseases, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-37G, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5032; fax: 301-480-4543; e-mail: SzteinS@ep.niams.nih.gov]; Bernadette Tyree, Cartilage & Connective Tissue, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-37J, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5032; fax: 301-594-4543; e-mail: TyreeB@ep.niams.nih.gov]; Richard W. Lymn, Muscle Biology, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-49E, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5128; fax: 301-480-4543; e-mail: LymnR@ep.niams.nih.gov]; James S. Panagis, Orthopedics, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-37K, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5055; fax: 301-594-4543; e-mail: PanagisJ@ep.niams.nih.gov]; Alan N. Moshell, Skin Diseases, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-25L, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5017; fax: 301-480-4543; e-mail: MoshellA@ep.niams.nih.gov]; William J. Sharrock, Bone Biology, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-37A, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5055; fax: 301-480-4543; e-mail: SharrocW@ep.niams.nih.gov]; Joan McGowan, Bone Diseases, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-43E, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5055; fax: 301-480-4543; e-mail: McgowanJ@ep.niams.nih.gov]. Applications must be received by January 22, 1999.

ACLAM Grants Available

Request for Proposals (RFP) from the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) Foundation: "On behalf of the ACLAM membership and the Foundation Committee, I am pleased to announce the solicitation of research proposals in Laboratory Animal Science and Medicine. The deadline for pre-proposals is February 2, 1999, with one-year grants awarded early in July, 1999. The ACLAM Foundation funds research projects that will expand the body of knowledge in the fields of laboratory animal science and medicine. Up to five research grants could be funded this year in the following subjects: analgesia/anesthesia; animal behavior/ well-being; diagnostics/diseases of laboratory animals; husbandry; and (refining models or techniques in) toxicology.

"While researchers in every nation are encouraged to apply, proposals must come from investigators with doctoral-level degrees. To read or print a copy of the RFP, visit the ACLAM home page <www.aclam.org>. The RFP information is listed under the title, ACLAM Foundation RFP. You can also read about the currently funded grants in ACLAM Foundation Grant News. For other questions, please contact: Dr. Martin Morin, Chairman, ACLAM Foundation, 208 Byford Dr., Chestertown, MD 21620 [410-810-1870; fax: 410-810-1869; e-mail: morinasc@skipjack.bluecrab.org]."

* * *

Research and Educational Opportunities

Orangutan and Rain Forest Research

The Board of Directors of Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) has established the Lorriane P. Jenkins Memorial Fellowship, named in memory of OFI Vice President Gary Shapiro's mother, which will finance students who are ready to enter the field to conduct research on orangutan behavior or ecology. The fellowship will be competitive, and a committee will be established to evaluate merits of the submitted applications. For information, contact OFI, 822 S. Wellesley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90049 [e-mail: redape@ns.net]; or see <www.ofi.net>].

MSc in Wild Animal Health

Applications are invited from the European Community or overseas graduates in veterinary or relevant sciences for a 12-month MSc course in wild animal health, beginning October, 1999. The course includes practical and theoretical instruction in the husbandry and nutrition of wild animals, taxonomy, population biology, conservation genetics, utilization of wildlife, welfare and ethical aspects, epidemiology, immunology, infectious and non-infectious diseases, disease investigation, therapeutics, imaging, and preventive medicine, together with an individual research project. Training will be given by staff at The Royal Veterinary College (University of London) and the Institute of Zoology (Zoological Society of London), as well as by invited speakers from other veterinary and zoological centers. Full particulars and an application form are available from the Head of Registry or Dr. M. T. Fox, The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK [+44 171 468 5000; fax: +44 171 388 2342]. - From Neotropical Primates, 1998, 6[3]

Fyssen Foundation 1999-2000 Fellowships

The Fyssen Foundation's aim is "to encourage all forms of scientific inquiry into cognitive mechanisms, including thought and reasoning, underlying animal and human behavior, their biological and cultural bases, and phylogenetic and ontogenetic development." The Fyssen Foundation awards grants of up to 120,000 FF per year for the training and support of postdoctoral researchers under 35 years of age, working on topics in keeping with the goals of the Foundation, which wishes to support, particularly, research in such fields as: Ethology and Psychology: Nature and development of the cognitive processes in man and animals, both ontogenetic and phylogenetic. Neurobiology: Neurobiological bases of cognitive processes, their embryonic and post-natal development, and their elementary mechanisms. Anthropology-Ethnology: Cognitive aspects of the representations of natural and cultural environments; analysis of their construction principles and transfer mechanisms; analysis of forms of social organization and their technological systems. Human Paleontology: Origin and evolution of the human brain and human artifacts.

Fellowships will be given to French scientists to work abroad and to foreign scientists to work in French laboratories. Application forms can be obtained from the Foundation, 194, rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France. Deadline for receipt of applications is March 31, 1999.

Summer Course in Animal Behavior

Georgia Tech and Zoo Atlanta present a four-week field course in animal behavior from June 15th-July 11, 1999. The course takes place in Atlanta (4 days at the zoo), South Africa (2 days), and Kenya (20 days) and is worth 6 quarter-hour credits in psychology.

The priority of the course is to provide intensive instruction in animal behavior and observational methodology. In Atlanta students are taught data collection methods and the behavior of East African mammals by a vareity of zoo, academic and field scientists. Students then use this information in Africa to conduct daily observations on a variety of species. Observations are conducted in both national parks and private reserves, which permits students to compare the behavior of a single species across settings. Students also use the comparative psychology approach to examine behavior across closely-related taxa. Daily observations are supplemented by readings, discussions, and lectures by field scientists. The course also places a strong emphasis on conservation, and students read about and discuss many issues related to conservation in Africa.

Spaces are limited to 12 students. The approximate cost of the course is $6100 and applications are due by February 15, 1999. The course will be taught by Dr. Debra Fortham, Director of Field Conservation at Zoo Atlanta. There are no prerequisites, although a background in psychology, biology, or anthropology is helpful. For additional information and an application, contact Tara Stoinski, Research Dept., Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave, Atlanta, GA 30315 [404-624-5826; e-mail: stoinskit@mindspring.com]. - From ABSnet, 1998, 4[38]

Biology of Aging Scholarships

The American Federation for Aging Research is offering up to 25 three-month scholarships for research on any topic related to the biology of aging. Medical and PhD students are eligible for these $5,500 scholarships. The deadline for receipt of applications is February 26, 1999. A brochure and application form are available from AFAR, 1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019 [212-752-2327; fax: 212-832-2298; e-mail: Amfedaging@aol.com], or see <www.afar.org>

Animal Behavior at Indiana University

The Program in Animal Behavior at Indiana University seeks outstanding candidates for training in animal behavior that combines approaches from biology, neuroscience, and psychology. Postdoctoral candidates should apply by March 1st for a one-year position with the possibility of funding for two years. Predoctoral candidates should apply by Jan. 15th for fall 1999. Inquiries to the Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, 402 N. Park, Indiana Univ., Bloomington, IN 47405 [812-855-9663; fax: 812-855-0411; e-mail: lisummer@indiana.edu]; or see <www.cisab.indiana.edu>. Applications by minorities and women are encouraged. AA/EOE. U.S. citizenship is not required. - From ABSnet, November 12, 1998, 4[39]

Graduate Studies in Animal Welfare, BC, Canada

The University of British Columbia's Program in Animal Welfare is creating research and training opportunities for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in Animal Welfare. We are looking for science students, especially with backgrounds in animal behavior, to conduct behavioral or related research on farm, laboratory, companion, or wild animals directed at significant animal welfare issues.

We accept a small number of students each year, all with a strong academic background plus a proven aptitude for research. Students with an NSERC post-graduate scholarship will receive an additional $3000 Canadian/year. Science students accepted into the Animal Welfare Program without scholarship support are normally offered a competitive stipend (currently $16,500 Canadian/year). International students are also normally offered a tuition scholarship. We also encourage inquiries from post-doctoral scholars with a strong interest in animal welfare and an outstanding aptitude for research and team-work.

For more information, write to Dan Weary [e-mail: danweary@interchange.ubc.ca] or David Fraser [e-mail: fraserd@interchange.ubc.ca], or see <www.interchange.ubc.ca/agsci/animalsci/chair.html> - From ABSnet, 1998, 4[42]

AFAR Scholarships in the Biology of Aging

The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) and the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research announce the Glenn/AFAR Scholarships for research in the biology of aging. This program, for both M.D. and Ph.D. students, provides up to 25 grants for three-month projects related to the basic sciences and aging. The deadline for receipt of applications is February 26, 1999. For applications and more information, contact AFAR, 1414 Ave of the Americas, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10019 [212-752-2327; fax: 212-832-2298; e-mail: amfedaging@aol.com] or see <http://www.afar.org>.

* * *

Volunteer Opportunity

Primate Care Volunteer - Texas

The Texas Snow Monkey Sanctuary (TSMS) is seeking a volunteer primate keeper for a minimum of two months. Duties will include cleaning cages, feeding animals, monitoring health of animals, grounds work, and animal census work as well as occasional computer work. Housing and ground transportation will be provided. They are looking for a person who is hardworking and dedicated, with a willingness to learn and respect for the animals. Some knowledge of computer applications such as Word, Excel, and Access would also be helpful. TSMS also requires certain medical tests to ensure the health of the animals. Contact Tanya Bell - Site Manager, Texas Snow Monkey Sanctuary, P.O. Box 702, Dilley, Texas 78017 [830-378-5775; fax : 830-378-5881; e-mail: chango@vsta.net].

Note: The South Texas climate can be extreme. Volunteers should be aware that it can be extremely hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Since most of their work will be outdoors, they need to be prepared for the climate.

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Address Changes

American Zoo and Aquarium Association, Executive Offices, 8403 Colesville Rd, Suite 710, Silver Spring, MD 20910

David Cappelli, Department of Periodontics, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78284.

Janice Dubois, P.O. Box 1307, Charlestown, RI 02813-0905.

Jan Mabry, Bldg 15 MS F33, 4770 Buford Hwy, Chamblee, GA 30341-3717.

Preston A. Marx, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Tulane RPRC, 18703 Three Rivers Rd, Covington, LA 70433.

Nirah Shomer, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University, P.O. Box 208016, New Haven CT 06520.

* * *

Positions Available

Head, Division Of Veterinary Science, Louisiana

The University of Southwestern Louisiana New Iberia Research Center (USL-NIRC) is seeking applicants for the position of Head of the Division of Veterinary Science. The USL-NIRC is an AAALAC International-accredited facility housing approximately 6000 nonhuman primates of 12 different species, including great apes. It provides resources for the conduct of basic and applied research aimed at the solution of human health problems.

This is a senior level management position, reporting to the Director of USL-NIRC, responsible for overseeing three veterinarians and 15 veterinary technicians and assistant technicians. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing programs for the provision of comprehensive veterinary care in compliance with NIH guidelines and with federal, state, and accreditation requirements for preventive medicine and quarantine programs. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, managing all phases of diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical care. The successful candidate is also expected to develop collaborative and independent research programs.

Qualifications include a DVM or equivalent degree from an AVMA-accredited school of veterinary medicine. Board eligibility or certification by ACLAM or ACVS is desirable. A minimum of 6 years of combined senior administrative and technical experience with nonhuman primates will be required. Management, interpersonal, writing, and communication skills are essential.

Candidates should submit a letter of application, a CV, and a list of three references to Thomas J. Rowell, Director, Univ. of Southwestern Louisiana New Iberia Research Center, 4401 W. Admiral Doyle, New Iberia, LA 70560.

Research Assistant, New York City

A highly motivated assistant is needed for a project investigating the cognitive abilities of rhesus macaques. Central topics include a monkey's ability to discriminate and order numerical stimuli, and to learn and recall arbitrary sequences composed of photographic stimuli. Responsibilities include running daily experiments with the help of a touch-sensitive video monitor that is positioned in front of the monkeys' cages, data analysis, preparation of digital stimuli, and record keeping. No handling of monkeys is required (or allowed). A description of the research can be found at <www.columbia.edu/cu/psych-ology/primatecognitionlab>.

Requirements are a college degree (BA, BS or equivalent), knowledge of computer operation (preferably with Macs), laboratory experience (preferably with primates), programming skills, a demonstrable interest in this type of research, and a commitment for two years. The starting salary will be commensurate with experience, plus benefits including free tuition for 8 points credit/semester.

To apply, send a resume, and any other information you think relevant, to Professor Herbert Terrace, 406 Schermerhorn Hall, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027 [e-mail: terrace@columbia.edu].

Editor: Laboratory Animal Science

The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science seeks a distinguished professional to serve as editor of the Association's journal, Laboratory Animal Science (title to change to Comparative Medicine in 2000). Applicant must be currently active in the field. Additional qualifications include a significant record of published research in the field of laboratory animal science and comparative medicine, organizational and teamwork skills, tact and judgment. Editorial experience is desirable but not necessary. The editor will select an associate editor. Submit cover letter and curriculum vitae by February 16, 1999, to: Chair, LAS Editorial Board, AALAS, 70 Timber Creek Dr., Cordova, TN 38018.

Chimpanzee Caregiver, Ghana

The American-owned and operated Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project and Sanctuary, in Ghana, West Africa, has an opening for an experienced chimpanzee caregiver. Duties include, but are not limited to, being the project curator, supervising, training, reporting, field observing, feed procurement, animal health care, enrichment, security, and caging improvements and repair. Qualifications for the position will include a required minimum two years direct care of and responsibility for chimpanzees, plus references and a time commitment. Accomodations will be in town. Write to Wallace W. Swett, Scientific Director, Friends of Animals Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project and Sanctuary, 2600 Dull Knife Trail, San Antonio, TX 78255.

Facility Manager, Texas

Charles River Laboratories, a breeder of laboratory animals for biomedical research, is seeking a Facility Manager for their BRF/Houston site, to manage a 20-person staff and oversee a large colony of nonhuman primates. The successful candidate will have demonstrated management abilities and will be an effective communicator. Requirements include a BS in life sciences, LATG certification, and a minimum of three years experience with nonhuman primates. An in-depth knowledge of the laws and regulations pertaining to laboratory animal care is also required.

For consideration please forward resume to: Charles River Lab., Human Resources/DS-BRF, 251 Ballardvale St., Wilmington, MA 01887 [fax: 978-658-4150]. For more information, contact Patricia A. Mirley, Senior Technical Information Specialist, Charles River Labs, 251 Ballardvale St, Wilmington, MA 01887 [800-338-9680; fax: 978-658-7698; e-mail: pm@criver.com].

Charles River Laboratories, a Bausch & Lomb Company, is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers comprehensive health benefits, competitive salaries, a 401(k) plan, and tuition reimbursement as part of our total compensation package.

Department Chair in Biological Sciences, Ohio

The College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio University invites applications for a Chairperson for the Department of Biological Sciences with research, teaching, and service credentials commensurate with the rank of full professor. The department seeks a scientist in any area of biology who meets the following criteria: * An active research program as indicated by a) a substantial and sustained history of publications and research funding from external sources and b) a consistent and productive record of directing graduate research. * The experience and ability to manage academic personnel in a manner that promotes their professional development and success. * Demonstrated ability to set and achieve specific goals for promoting instruction and research in the Department of Biological Sciences.

The Chair will have teaching obligations consistent with maintaining an active research program and providing leadership to promote the research, graduate, and undergraduate programs of the department. A competitive salary and research start-up funds are provided. Details regarding the Department of Biological Sciences can be found at <www.ohiou.edu/~biosdept/>.

Applicants should provide a curriculum vitae, a statement of research, and a statement of philosophy and goals of academic leadership. In addition to arranging to have three letters of reference sent to the Department of Biological Sciences, the applicant should provide the names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three other references. All materials should be sent to: Jean Witkowski, Department of Biological Sciences, Irvine Hall, Ohio Univers