Laboratory Primate Newsletter

VOLUME 44 NUMBER 3 JULY 2005
Printable (PDF) Version of this issue

CONTENTS

Articles and Notes

Does Training Chimpanzees to Present for Injection Lead to Reduced Stress? by E. N. Videan, J. Fritz, J. Murphy, S. Howell, & C. B. Heward......1

A Preliminary Test of the Van Schaik Model of Male Coalitions for Costa Rican Mantled Howler Monkeys (Alouatta palliata), by C. B. Jones......3

Nonhuman Primate Feeding Schedules: A Discussion......6

Silky Sifaka (Propithecus candidus) Conservation Education in Northeastern Madagascar, by E. R. Patel, J. J. Marshall, and H. Parathian......8

Agonism and Affiliation: Adult Male Sexual Strategies Across One Mating Period in Three Groups of Long-Tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis), by J. E. Loudon, A. Fuentes, and A. R. Welch......12

News, Information, and Announcements

Information Requested or Available......2
World Animal Net Directory; More Interesting Websites

Awards Granted......5
. . . 2004 Conservation Award to Rwandan, Kenyan; Marc Bekoff Receives Community Service Award

Calls for Award Nominations: New Prizes for Work on Alternative Methods......5

Research and Educational Opportunities: Residency/Graduate Training......7

Travelers’ Health Notes: International Assn for Medical Assistance to Travelers......15

Southeast Asian Primatological Association Established......17

Electronic Freedom of Information Act Availability of Annual Reports......17

Meeting Announcements......18

Workshop Announcements......18
. . . 2006 International Gorilla Workshop; Meeting the Information Requirements of the AWA; IACUC 101 and Beyond

Volunteer Opportunities......19
. . . Year-Round Volunteer Internships; Primate Behavior Field Assistant – Ecuador

Resources Wanted and Available......20
. . . New Environmental Enrichment Site; PASA Veterinary Healthcare Manual in French; New Report on Most Endangered Primates

Grants Available: Simian Vaccine Evaluation Units......20

Announcements from Publications......22
. . . BMC Veterinary Research; Veterinary Virology

News Briefs......23
. . . Anne Yoder Named Duke Primate Center Director; Study Will Debate Monkey Future in U.K.; Three Francois Langurs Die at Lincoln Park Zoo; Last of the Bonobos Arrive at Great Ape Trust; Animal Rights Museum in Madison

Departments

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

Positions Available......21
. . . Facility Manager – Vanderbilt Medical Center; Clinical Veterinarian – Yerkes; Veterinarian – Alice, Texas; Vet or Animal Health Tech – Metro Boston Area; Manager, Technical Operations – Bethesda

Recent Books and Articles......24

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Does Training Chimpanzees to Present for Injection Lead to Reduced Stress?

Introduction

Using positive reinforcement to train primates to cooperate during routine health procedures is thought to be preferential to forced compliance, such as the use of restraints (Prentice et al., 1986). Involuntary anesthesia injections (i.e., darting) may result in stress to the animal, leading to blood samples that are not physiologically representative of the individual’s normal hormone levels during non-stress periods (Reinhardt et al., 1995). A recent study indicated that training chimpanzees to present for anesthesia injection results in lower levels of some physiological stress responses, in particular significantly lower white blood cell counts and glucose levels (Lambeth et al., 2004). However, simple comparison of individuals who are darted for a health examination versus those that allow anesthesia injection may ignore other factors leading to stress during the procedure. Individuals that will not present for injection upon verbal command, but will present when shown the dart gun, may experience stress levels at or above those of darted individuals.

The purpose of this study was to compare serum cortisol and other physiological stress responses (white blood cell counts and blood glucose levels) in a sample of captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) that experienced difficult versus easy anesthesia injections. We predicted that injected chimpanzees would have significantly lower levels of stress-related serum values than darted chimpanzees, as found by Lambeth and colleagues (2004). We also predicted that easily immobilized chimpanzees would have significantly lower levels of stress-related serum values than more uncooperative individuals. Finally, we predicted that trained individuals would have significantly lower levels of stress-related serum values than untrained individuals.

Methods

Subjects were 17 captive chimpanzees living at the Primate Foundation of Arizona, aged 10.6 to 34.5 years at the time of the study. The sample included 8 males and 9 females. Eleven of the subjects were trained, using positive reinforcement techniques, over 21 months (Videan et al., 2005). Individuals were trained to present an arm or leg to the cage mesh for anesthetic injection, using the verbal cues “arm” and “leg”. Training procedures were transferred from the trainer to either the colony manager or the assistant colony manager, after behaviors were under stimulus control, in 5 of the trained subjects.

Data from one semiannual health examination, including a blood test, were collected for each individual. Data recorded included whether the individual presented for anesthesia injection or required darting, and the difficulty of the anesthetization (level of cooperation). Difficult-to-anesthetize chimpanzees (“uncooperative”) were defined as those who avoided the needle and/or dart and required multiple injection and/or darting attempts. Blood chemistry values associated with physiological stress, including white blood cell (WBC) counts, glucose levels, and cortisol, were compared between darted and injected, trained and untrained, and cooperative and uncooperative animals using one-tailed Mann-Whitney U-tests. Blood chemistry values were compared between trained-transferred, trained-untransferred, and untrained individuals using a Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance. Significance for all tests was set at the 0.05 level.

Results

There were no significant differences in levels of cortisol (U=22, p>0.10), WBC (U=29, p>0.10), or blood glucose (U=22, p>0.10) between injected and darted chimpanzees (Table 1). However, significantly lower levels of both cortisol (U=6.5, p<0.010) and blood glucose (U=13, p<0.025) were found in individuals whose anesthetizations were ranked as easy or cooperative (Table 1). When all trained individuals were pooled, trained subjects exhibited significantly lower levels of cortisol than untrained (U=7, p<0.010, Table 1). Finally, trained and transferred subjects exhibited significantly lower levels of cortisol than both the trained-untransferred and untrained chimpanzees (H=7.86, p<0.25, Table 1).

Group	Cortisol (ug/dl)	WBC Counts (th/mm3)	Glucose (mg/dl)
Darted (n=10)	24.11 +/- 6.00	9.46 +/- 5.82	97.70 +/- 13.33
Injected (n=7)	21.24 +/- 5.38	7.33 +/- 1.90	90.43 +/- 7.37
Uncooperative (n=8)	26.24 +/- 4.98	9.70 +/- 6.08	100.00 +/- 11.96
Cooperative (n=9)	19.20 +/- 4.18	7.33 +/- 1.94	88.75 +/- 8.14
Trained-Transferred (n=5)	17.66 +/- 4.91	11.06 +/- 8.01	96.60 +/- 19.92
Trained-Untransferred (n=6)	22.75 +/- 4.62	6.68 +/- 1.14	94.33 +/- 8.02
All trained (n=11))	20.44 +/- 5.23	8.67 +/- 5.62	95.36+/-13.87
Untrained (n=6)	27.50 +/- 3.57	8.42 +/- 2.46	93.50 +/- 6.44

Table 1: Mean (+/- standard deviation) cortisol levels (ug/dl), white blood cell (WBC) counts (th/cu-mm), and blood glucose (mg/dl) levels for darted versus injected (not darted), uncooperative versus cooperative, and trained versus untrained chimpanzees. Significant differences are in bold.

Discussion

Blood chemistry values indicate that presenting for injection does not necessarily lead to lower stress levels in a chimpanzee than darting. However, the training process appears to decrease the stress associated with the anesthesia event. The trained-transferred chimpanzees had the lowest levels of cortisol, despite two of these individuals requiring darting during their anesthetization. Results of training itself also indicate that chimpanzees who are transferred from the trainer to the colony managers retain their training at significantly higher rates than non-transferred chimpanzees (Videan et al., 2005). It could be that the trained-transferred animals are becoming generally more comfortable with (i.e. habituated to) novel circumstances presented by multiple individuals than the untransferred animals.

Finally, it is clear that the level of cooperation must be considered an important factor in determining the amount of stress experienced during anesthetization. Those chimpanzees whose anesthetizations were considered “easy” experienced significantly lower levels of stress, independently of whether they eventually presented for injection or required darting. Simply classifying anesthetizations as “injected” versus “darted” does not capture the level of stress experienced by the chimpanzee. Further research should examine other variables (e.g., temperature, colony noise level, identity of staff present, etc.) to more completely assess the factors causing stress during anesthetization in chimpanzees.

References

Lambeth, S. P., Hau, J., Perlman, J. E., Martino, M. A., Bernacky, B. J., & Schapiro, S. J. (2004). Positive reinforcement training affects hematologic and serum chemistry values in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). American Journal of Primatology, 62[Suppl.1], 37-38.

Prentice, E. D., Zucker, I. H., & Jameton, A. (1986). Ethics of animal welfare in research: The institution’s attempt to achieve appropriate social balance. The Psychologist, 29, 1 and 19-21.

Reinhardt, V., Liss, C., & Stevens, C. (1995). Restraint methods of laboratory nonhuman primates: A critical review. Animal Welfare, 4, 221-238.

Videan, E. N., Fritz, J., Murphy, J., Borman, R., Smith, H. F., & Howell, S. (2005) Training chimpanzees to cooperate for an anesthetic injection. Lab Animal, 34, 43-48.

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Information Requested or Available

World Animal Net Directory, which lists more than 15,000 animal protection organizations in 165 countries, is now available in both English and French. The 550-page book can be purchased for US$29.95 / Euros 24.2 / sterling 16.4 (plus US$5 / Euros 4.1 / sterling 2.7 shipping & handling) at <www.worldanimal.net>; or contact <info@worldanimal.net>.

More Interesting Websites

• Animal Concepts’ enrichment and training seminars: <www.animalconcepts.org>
• Animal resources for children: <yahooligans.yahoo.com/science_and_nature/ living_things/animals>
• AZA’s Nutrition Advisory Group’s “Nutrition Chapters from Published Husbandry Manuals”: <nagonline.net/husbandry_manual_chapters.htm>
• Cross River State, Nigeria: <www.crossriverstate.com>
• “Cybercinus”, the Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping’s electronic newsletter: <www.aszk.org.au/cybercinus.htm>
• International Primate Protection League: <www.ippl.org>
• News items from the International Primate Protection League: <www.ippl.org/ippl-news.html>
• Pan African Sanctuaries Alliance (PASA): <www.panafricanprimates.org>
•  Scientists Center for Animal Welfare: <www.scaw.com>
• Trends in U.S. primate importation, 1995-2004: <www.aesop-project.org/Primate_Trade/Primate_Trade_Imports.htm>

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A Preliminary Test of the Van Schaik Model of Male Coalitions for Costa Rican Mantled Howler Monkeys (Alouatta palliata)

Introduction

In mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) societies, conflicts arise because interindividual interests differ (Jones, 2000). Darwin (1871; also see Dixson, 1998; Jones & Agoramoorthy, 2003) proposed that, among males, “male-male competition” (intrasexual selection) would determine access to and monopolization of females. Although most competitive interactions among male mantled howlers are dyadic, coordinated attacks by two males against a third have been observed (Jones, 1978, 1980, 1985, 2000). In this communication, I present a reinterpretation of these coalitions as a preliminary test of a recent model of male-male within-group coalitionary aggression (the van Schaik model: van Schaik et al., 2004).

Van Schaik and his colleagues (2004) proposed that coalition value “is the sum of the payoffs of the partners in their original ranks” (p. 101). Although not explicitly stated by these authors, “payoffs” will be condition-dependent since individual optima are expected to change from situation to situation (e.g., according to the “value” of the resource or the quality of the target male). It is also important to note that the symmetry in value among coalition partners need not be equivalent, and that the likelihood of coalition formation among males may be inversely related to rank distance between them, all other things being equal. Van Schaik et al. (2004) propose five “basic coalition types”: (1) rank-changing coalitions targeting individuals ranking above all coalition partners; (2) rank-changing coalitions in which higher-rankers support lower-rankers to rise to a rank below themselves; (3) non-rank-changing coalitions, expected to occur whenever high-ranking males have low-ranking close relatives; (4) non-rank-changing coalitions by high-rankers against lower-ranking targets; and, (5) non-rank-changing coalitions in which all partners rank below their target and which flatten the payoff distribution. The present analysis suggests that, consistent with the van Schaik model, adult male mantled howler monkeys exhibit a variant of configuration #2 in addition to configurations #1 or #5. The possible implications of these findings for social evolution in mantled howlers is discussed.

Methods

The study was conducted in 1976 and 1977 at Hacienda La Pacífica, Cañas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica (10°18’ N, 85°07’ W). Results are based upon randomized focal (Altmann, 1974) and ad lib. observations. Modal social organization of mantled howlers is multimale-multifemale, yielding a polygynandrous mating system (Jones, 1978, 1980, 2000). Two marked groups, of known ages, were studied in two habitats of seasonal, tropical dry forest environment, riparian and deciduous (Frankie et al., 2004). Coalitions among males were observed only in the riparian habitat group (Group 5, 402 h observation: Y male, highest ranking; G male, second-ranking; R male, lowest-ranking; and, LT male, a young male entering the hierarchy in 1977). See Jones (1978, 1980, 2000, 2005, Chapter 6) for details of procedures and changes in male rank relations.

Results

Twenty-four coalitions were observed in Group 5, 12 between adult females and seven among adult males (Jones, 1980, pp. 396-397; Jones, 2000, pp. 10-12). Coalitions among adults, then, were within-sex events (intrasexual competition). Two of the male coalitions were exhibited between Y and LT against G, and five coalitions between G and R against Y.

Discussion

Interpretation of the coalitions between G and R against Y is relatively straightforward. This configuration represents either case #1 or case #5 of the van Schaik model. An interpretation consistent with case #1 is required to assume that the goal or motivation of coalitions between G and R is a rank change, presumably to eject Y from the group and elevate G and R in the hierarchy or to depose Y from his position as highest-ranking male. An interpretation based upon case #5 suggests that coalitions between G and R are non-rank-changing, leveling coalitions. Van Schaik et al. (2004) indicate that rank-changing coalitions are expected where contest competition is strong, as has been reported for male mantled howlers in riparian habitat (Jones, 1978, 1980, 2000, 2005), supporting an interpretation based upon case #1. Nonetheless, both configurations #1 and #5 may occur since the exhibition of coalitions between G and R may be condition dependent. Sequence analysis is required to determine whether contexts and functions differ from coalition to coalition between these males.

Coalitions between Y and the young male, LT, appear to represent a variant of case #2 of the van Schaik model. These rank-changing coalitions are described by van Schaik et al. (2004) as coalitions in which higher rankers support lower rankers to rise to a rank below themselves and are expected to occur among relatives. G was ultimately expelled from Group 5 as a result of the coalition between Y and LT, who may have been Y’s son (Jones, 1980; C.P. van Schaik, personal communication, 2005). This mechanism of group ascension differs from that described by Clarke et al. (1994) who characterize a young male’s ascent to top rank as a process similar to that described for females (Jones, 1980). Both processes may occur in either sex of mantled howlers and may result from differing local (patch) conditions (e.g., differing mate or food quantity and/or quality).

Although a key feature of the coalitions between Y and LT appear to deviate from the van Schaik model (i.e., that rank-changing coalitions target individuals ranking above all coalition partners), further analysis resolves the apparent inconsistency. The adult male and female dominance hierarchies of mantled howlers are “age-reversed” (Jones, 1978, 1980) whereby young animals are highest-ranked, middle-aged individuals are medium-ranked, and old individuals are lowest-ranked. Consistent with the analysis of Beekman et al. (2003), coalitions between G and R may have imbalanced power relations in Group 5 from Y to G and R, making it beneficial for Y to form a coalition with LT to expel G and to settle for a reduction in dominance rank to second-ranked male below the young LT. This interpretation characterizes the “age-reversed” dominance hierarchy as evolutionarily stable and suggests one mechanism (coalitions between high-ranked and younger males entering a hierarchy) whereby stability might be maintained. This intuition requires theoretical (mathematical) modeling to reveal the logic of these intrasexual conflicts as well as empirical research to determine the ranges and thresholds of ecological regime and/or coefficients of relatedness (r) upon which hierarchical relations among males of this species depend.

It is important to note that coalitions among males, and probably among females, may be viewed not only as indicators of reproductive competition but also as mutual policing and suppression of competition within groups (Frank, 2003). The coalitions between G and R against Y as well as the coalition between Y and LT against G may be viewed as attempts by group members to manage the (condition-dependent) power and, thus, the social (reproductive) influence of other group members (Beekman et al., 2003; Jones, 2000). Additional research on the mechanisms of policing in mantled howlers may reveal important principles concerning the costs and benefits of social influence among primates and other social mammals, especially multimale-multifemale societies (e.g., humans). These studies will also contribute to our knowledge about reproductive skew since mutual policing may enforce “reproductive fairness” (Frank, 2003), at least over short terms. Finally, since coalitionary aggression is a form of punishment, future research should investigate “post-punishment responses” by the victim, responses (e.g., counter-coalitions) that may impose high costs upon the initial coalition partners (“spite”: see Jones, 2002).

References

Altmann, J. (1974). Observation study of behavior: Sampling methods. Behaviour, 49, 227-267.

Beekman, M., Komdeur, J., & Ratnieks, F. L. W. (2003). Reproductive conflicts in social animals: Who has power? Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 18, 277-282.

Clarke, M. R., Zucker, E. L., & Glander, K. E. (1994). Group takeover by a natal male howling monkey (Alouatta palliata) and associated disappearance and injuries of immatures. Primates, 35, 435-442.

Darwin, C. (1871). The descent of man. New York: The Modern Library.

Dixson, A. F. (1998). Primate sexuality: Comparative studies of the prosimians, monkeys, apes, and human beings. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Frank, S. A. (2003). Perspective: Repression of competition and the evolution of cooperation. Evolution, 57, 693-705.

Frankie, G. W., Mata, A., & Vinson, S. B. (2004). Biodiversity conservation in Costa Rica. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Jones, C. B. (1978). Aspects of reproductive behavior in the mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata Gray). Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University.

Jones, C. B. (1980). The functions of status in the mantled howler monkey, Alouatta palliata Gray: Intraspecific competition for group membership in a folivorous Neotropical primate. Primates, 21, 389-405.

Jones, C. B. (1985). Reproductive patterns in mantled howler monkeys: Estrus, mate choice and copulation. Primates, 26, 130-142.

Jones, C. B. (2000). Alouatta palliata politics: Empirical and theoretical aspects of power. Primate Report, 56, 3-21.

Jones, C. B. (2002). Negative reinforcement in primate societies related to aggressive restraint. Folia Primatologica, 73, 140-143.

Jones, C. B. (2005). Behavioral flexibility in primates: Causes and consequences. New York: Springer.

Jones, C. B., & Agoramoorthy, G. (2003). Alternative reproductive behaviors in primates: Towards general principles. In C. B. Jones (Ed.), Sexual selection and reproductive competition in primates: New perspectives and directions (pp. 103-139). Norman, OK: American Society of Primatologists.

van Schaik, C. P., Pandit, S. A., & Vogel, E. R. (2004). A model for within-group coalitionary aggression among males. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 57, 101-109.

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Awards Granted

Two wildlife champions, Michel Masozera, Rwanda country director for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and Ali Kaka, executive director of Kenya’s East African Wild Life Society, are this year’s winners of the National Geographic Society/Buffett Award for Leadership in African Conservation. Established through a gift from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the award recognizes outstanding work and lifetime contributions that further the understanding and practice of conservation in Africa.

Masozera, Rwanda country director for WCS since 2002, has worked tirelessly to document and preserve Rwanda’s rich biodiversity in the face of daunting socioeconomic challenges. Since 1997 he has led WCS’s Nyungwe Forest Conservation Project. Nyungwe Forest, home to 13 primate species, faces intense pressure because it is surrounded by some of the highest human population densities in Africa. To protect the forest from agricultural encroachment, hunting, logging, and gold mining, Masozera has implemented a multi-disciplined conservation program that has become a national model for protecting other threatened forests in Rwanda.

Based in Nairobi, Ali Kaka has been executive director of East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS) since 2001. EAWLS protects endangered and threatened species and habitats in East Africa and is at the forefront of community-based conservation initiatives. In the late 1990s, EAWLS, impeded by management problems, was in danger of collapse. Under Kaka’s leadership, the Society has reestablished its credibility and is a lead player in advocating for crucial policy change to enhance conservation practice in the region.

Recipients of the National Geographic Society/Buffett Award are chosen from nominations submitted to the National Geographic’s Conservation Trust. After the nominations are screened by a peer-review process, a selection of names is forwarded to the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which recommends the final winner. Next year a similar award will introduced for conservationists in South America. – From National Geographic News, December 9, 2004

Marc Bekoff Receives Community Service Award

Marc Bekoff has been awarded the Bank One Colorado Corporation’s Faculty Community Service Award. This award recognizes his various, extensive efforts to draw attention to the plight of animals, and to inspire people to treat all animals more humanely. Marc is a local director of Jane Goodall’s outreach program, Roots and Shoots, which takes programs into the public schools. Animal awareness and rights have also been major themes of Marc’s extensive writing, including the books The Ten Trusts (with Jane Goodall), Minding Animals, and The Smile of a Dolphin.

The Award is given annually to a full-time faculty member at one of the campuses of the University of Colorado who has rendered exceptional educational, humanitarian, civic, or other service in his or her community, external to the faculty member’s primary university responsibilities and for no additional remuneration. – Announced by the University of Colorado, May 16

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Calls for Award Nominations: New Prizes for Work on Alternative Methods

The Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART), the Australian Museum, and the Sherman Foundation have announced a new $10,000 prize designed to encourage research into alternatives to the use of animals or animal products for scientific or teaching purposes. The Voiceless Eureka Prize for Research will go to an Australian scientist(s) for work carried out in Australia in the past five years that has reduced, or has the potential to reduce, the use of animals in laboratory-based research, education and testing. Entries closed on May 13 this year. – From the HSUS’s e-mail publication, Animal Research News & Analysis

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Nonhuman Primate Feeding Schedules: A Discussion

Summary of Replies

* “At our facility, we feed biscuits in the morning and fruit in the afternoon. If the animals have a procedure that is to be done, we usually schedule it first thing in the morning, or whenever the PI or tech gets to the primate area (I have had problems with lateness as well). When the procedure is finished, I wait until they are awake and then feed them about ½ of their normal biscuit intake to reduce any risk of nausea or vomiting. Depending on how late they recover fully, I will decide if they get fruit in addition to biscuits (usually ½ the normal amount). I will also give ½ the fruit ration. Sometimes they recover so late that they only get the biscuits. I try to make the feeding times as far apart as possible to reduce chances of bloat as well as vomiting. I think that you should make exceptions to the feeding schedule for those animals that have had a procedure done; that way you could prevent any illness or injury and not be worried about over-feeding them. I have fed biscuits once a day for a long time and have had no problems, but the fruit is given in the afternoon. I understand the rationale for feeding twice a day, though. My main concern would be overfeeding at recovery, so having biscuits once a day on the day of a procedure may be the safest for the monkey as well. I have had monkeys that have had procedures done in the morning, been fed when awake, and still have biscuits left over in the afternoon! The feeding schedule may just have to be adjusted on a case-by-case basis. I hope that this helps.” (Kate Bullock BS, RVT, RLAT).

* “The researchers are not concerned about this because it’s not THEIR feeding schedule being ignored… I’ve always treated the animals as if reincarnation is possible, and the animal(s) might be my grandmother. Trust me, she would have wanted to eat more than once a day.” (Sherilyn Hall)

* “If the schedule is very irregular the animals are prone to bloat, which can be fatal if not corrected. This not especially common in adult cynomolgus, but can be a problem in juveniles or in other NHP species.” (Anonymous)

* “We have macaques (rhesus and cynomolgus) that are given 16 biscuits once daily (about 8:30 a.m.). Only about half of our cages have homemade puzzle feeders (open-top plexiglass feeders bolted to the front of the cage). For those with J-feeders, we throw the chow on top of the cage. We have a very small colony, and it almost always turns out that anyone without a puzzle feeder has access to a cage ceiling, either in his home cage or a play cage. So no matter what kind of feeder our guys have, foraging is necessary to obtain the biscuits. I find that there is much less hoarding and fewer biscuits are wasted when they have to work for their food.

“About feeding later than usual: If one animal is fasted for a surgery or procedure, we don’t feed the others in the room until that monkey is down. They may complain, because they know when to expect breakfast, but since we only feed once a day we don’t have a problem with meals being too close together. Fresh fruit or vegetables are given in the afternoon (about 3 p.m.).” (Rebecca Goertz, RLAT, Research Technician III, SUNY, State College of Optometry)

* “For what it’s worth, we are a commercial facility, housing anywhere from 300-1200 primates. We have always had a policy of feeding twice a day. First feeding consists of all monkey chow, and second feeding consists of a lesser amount of chow mixed with some fruit, treats, etc. However, while the above is common practice, I also don’t feel that in most cases, especially with cynomolgus, there is a severe risk to the animals with only one feeding but no doubt I personally prefer two.” (Anonymous)

* “NHP biscuits in the morning and fruit in the afternoon.” (Anonymous)

* “We feed chow once a day in the p.m., fruit in the a.m. Does the protocol require food deprivation? If so, then the delay is not a problem. If they are simply not showing up on time…” (T. deLangley)

* “I’ll be interested in hearing what feedback you get on this. I have a similar problem with some investigators. The reasoning behind twice daily (b.i.d.) feeding is that it helps prevent bloat. I haven’t seen bloat in these animals, but it is one of those ‘tucked away in the back of my mind’ worries. I have a colony of >1,000 rhesus and we pretty much keep food in front of them at all times. Haven’t seen bloat in them, either. I did see it during my residency at another facility – usually in individually housed cynomolgus. I don’t remember whether we determined any predisposing factors.” (Anonymous)

* “While at XX and YY, I’d have my staff feed twice daily as long as we had adequate staff to do so (I let it slide during a couple of snow emergencies when less than 30% of staff was able to get to work). The only real reason I’ve found to feed primates twice daily is to avoid having them use the food they didn’t eat immediately as decorations for the cage and, if possible, the rest of the room.” (Anonymous)

* “Once-daily feedings can lead to medical problems in primates. Specifically, primates that are fed only once daily can be rather hungry and anxious when they finally do get their food and eat it quickly. This can lead to bloat and/or obstruction, which can be fatal (I have treated these type of cases in the past in rhesus and cynomolgus and was able to convince the investigator that it was not sound to feed in this manner).

“Physiologically, it is also abnormal for cynomolgus to eat once a day. In the wild, they are foraging for five to eleven hours and “grazing” continuously. We know from humans that feeding the daily calories in one feeding vs. feeding over the course of the day promotes obesity, even if the total number of calories is the same for both groups. It would not seem to be optimal for long-term maintenance of these animals (also issues of psychological stress).” (Anonymous)

* “Your biggest problem with once a day feeding is the chance of gastric bloat, but – with all due respect – that has been very rare with cynomolgus in all the places that I have worked. If your surgeries involve intra-abdominal manipulations than I would be worried about the other end, as I have had cecal dilatation as a sequela to surgery. Gastric bloat is much more common in rhesus. I have worked in facilities that have historically fed once per day with cynomolgus and they didn’t have problems (four years). I had always done b.i.d. prior and since as that is commonly the practice. I think that it at least makes the care staff check the animals twice a day!” (Elysse A. Orchard, Veterinarian and Associate Director, Chimp Haven)

* “I am sure that there are also institutions where ruminants are also fed just once a day and they survive. Twice a day feeding provides for one more incident of human contact and potential for socialization; is less wasteful in terms of food (many will toss food to the cage bottom and not want it after it’s been in the ‘trash bin’); is better for their nutritive well-being (ask your investigators to limit their own intake to once a day); if they are in a common colony room with other animals that do get fed twice daily, they are stressed about being left out; and finally – though I do not recall a research paper on this topic – the potential for bloat seems to be greater with a ‘once a day’ engorgement than with twice daily feedings. – My two cents worth.” (Les Rolf, Jr., Ph.D., D.V.M., Staff Veterinarian, University of Pennsylvania/ULAR)

* “We feed squirrel monkeys once daily after all behavioral testing is complete; feeding can serve as a secondary Zeitgeber (an environmental agent or event that provides the cue for setting or resetting a biological clock) – hence, potential confound. We split rhesus feeding b.i.d., as risk for overeating bloat is too high in them.” (Anonymous)

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Research and Educational Opportunities: Residency/Graduate Training

During the residency, the resident obtains supervised practical experience and completes research leading to a published first-author paper.  The USU program in Comparative Medicine includes didactic instruction in LAM, meeting the standards of an ACLAM-approved residency program.

This program has a dual application process; therefore prospective residents must complete application packets from both the Graduate Partnerships Program (at <gpp.nih.gov>) and the Office of Graduate Education, USU (at <cim.usuhs.mil/geo/application.htm>).   A competitive selection will be made by the NIH Residency Faculty Committee, based on prior academic performance, letters of reference, goals for graduate study, and career plans in laboratory animal medicine. Residents will be supported for stipend, medical insurance, and tuition for the two-year period of the program (depending on satisfactory progress). For more information contact Dr. Marlene N. Cole, Director, NIH-USU LAM Resources Program [e-mail: colem@od.nih.gov].

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Silky Sifaka (Propithecus candidus) Conservation Education in Northeastern Madagascar

Introduction

The president and senior staff of Conservation International recently pointed out that “In terms of primate conservation, there is no doubt that Madagascar is the world’s single highest conservation priority” (Mittermeier et al., 2003, p. 1538). With five primate families found only on this island nation, Madagascar’s degree of primate endemism is more extreme than that of any other nation. This fact is reflected in the estimated 257 million years of unique primate evolutionary history on this island, and demonstrates extreme phylogenetic diversity unparalleled by any other place on earth (Sechrest et al., 2002). Moreover, more than 67% (43/64) of extant lemur taxa face a significant risk of extinction over the next several decades. In terms of total number and percentage, there are more threatened primates in Madagascar than in any other country (Mitterrmeier et al., 2003). Finally, the phrase “risk of extinction” carries a chilling reality in Madagascar, unlike other nations, where 17 or more primate species (in 9 or more genera!) actually have gone extinct within the last 2000 years. Such extinctions are generally attributed to the first arrival of humans to the island about 2000 years ago (Godfrey & Jungers, 2003).

The silky sifaka (Propithecus candidus, above) is a critically endangered indrid lemur living within the fragile borders of just two protected areas (Marojejy National Park: <www.marojejy.com> and Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve) in the small mountains of northeastern Madagascar. With only an estimated 100 to 1000 individuals remaining in the wild (there are none in captivity), silky sifakas are one of the three rarest lemurs in all of Madagascar and are one of the Top 25 most endangered primates in the world, out of over 600 total primate taxa (Mittermeier et al., 2002). Silky sifaka conservation is threatened by human hunting (Safford & Duckworth, 1989; World Wildlife Fund staff at Andapa, Madagascar, personal communication, 2001, 2003; K. Keiser, personal communication, 2001), hunting by the fossa, a mammalian carnivore (personal observation, 2001; Wright, 1998), and habitat loss from almost annual cyclone damage (Wright, 1999) and slash and burn agriculture (Goodman, 2000).

Human Hunting of Lemurs

Figure 2: Slaughtered lemurs.

Historically, as for other lemurs, the greatest conservation threat to the silky sifaka has been cultivation of hill rice through slash-and-burn agriculture or “tavy” (Mittermeier et al., 1994). Although human hunting of primates in Madagascar is generally less widespread than in Africa or Asia (Cowlishaw & Dunbar, 2000), nevertheless in some parts of Madagascar, such as Marojejy National Park, steady lemur poaching is evident. Tattersall (1982) suggested hunting must be occurring, given that the most accessible parts of Marojejy seemed “largely bereft of larger mammals and birds”. Duckworth et al. (1995) found numerous lemur traps and “villagers said that lemur hunting is their main reason for penetrating the reserve” (p.556). More recently, Goodman (2000) identified many human trails utilized by local people during lemur hunting, to gain access to hidden agriculture, and to harvest forest plants for medicinal and construction purposes. In 2000, a silky sifaka was killed by a poacher, but confiscated by local authorities (see photo). Similarly, during the 14.5 months of my research from 2001 to 2003, several episodes of lemur poaching within “protected areas” were evident. Estimated lemurs killed per hunt ranged from several to 70, with each being sold for 25,000 FMG (US$4) on average.

Unfortunately, there is no fady or taboo against hunting of the silky sifaka as there is against hunting of Indri, the largest extant lemur. Nor is there a shortage of meat in this cattle and rice culture situated within the wealthy vanilla-growing region of Madagascar. After questioning numerous local villagers and authorities as to the reason for lemur hunting, it became clear that upper middle class families enjoyed the taste of wild lemur as a delicacy or “picnic food”. Several individuals remarked that the meat tastes so good, one does not even need sakai or Malagasy hot sauce. Several individuals testified that the upper middle class hire local impoverished men and provide them with guns and bullets for the lemur hunt. It also became clear that many people living near these protected areas do not understand how rare and special these lemurs are. I therefore began a conservation education program in collaboration with local authorities, the Peace Corps, and Cornell University, with the support of the Conservation Committee of the American Society of Primatologists.

Although conservation education programs near or within protected areas in developing nations are relatively recent (Jacobson & Padua, 1995), such efforts are an increasingly routine goal of wildlife researchers. Although very few doubt the importance of such endeavors, some question whether quantitative evidence exists as to their effectiveness (e.g. Cowlishaw & Dunbar, 2000). There have been some well-documented successes. Blanchard (1995), for example, demonstrates dramatic population size increases (doubling in some cases) in Canadian seabirds following an intensive decade of local environmental education. Significant changes towards pro-conservation attitudes and increases in animal recognition by local peoples have been documented in mountain gorillas (Weber, 1995) and golden-lion tamarins (Dietz & Nagagata, 1995) following educational programs.

Conservation Education: Appeal to Hearts and Minds

A two-pronged strategy towards conservation education about the silky sifaka was adopted. The first component might be considered the “cognitive” component while the second can be labeled the “emotional” component.

The goal of the first component was to increase awareness and knowledge in local villagers and children about the uniqueness of, and existing threats toward, silky sifakas. This goal was pursued through:

1. twelve slide presentations at primary and secondary schools adjacent to the remaining habitat of the silky sifaka;
2. distribution of large, color laminated silky sifaka photos with informational text on the reverse side;
3. distribution of world maps to each school;
4. distribution of large colored laminated lemur field guides in three languages to each school and to the authorities supervising the protected areas;
5. mounting and distribution of large informational signs with photos and text in three languages at the main ecotourist camp site and in nearby cities;
6. training of local villagers as ecotourist guides; and
7. radio interviews.

The goal of the second “emotional” component was to associate conservation of the silky sifaka with positive emotional experiences. In other words, we hoped to appeal to their hearts as well as their minds. Traynor (1995) points out that “increased knowledge about the environment does not automatically result in behavior that is environmentally responsible. Affective and social factors must also be addressed since people’s behavior depends not only on their skills and knowledge but also on their feelings, motivation, and commitment” (p.17-18).

Towards this end, a wildlife art contest was conducted with local children following a several-hour discussion of biodiversity, endemism, and ecotourism. Throughout this time there was an interactive discussion of current local environmental threats. All interested children were provided with colored pencils and paper. It was our hope that this artwork could ultimately be sold to ecotourists visiting the park since there are presently no local crafts for sale at the park entrance. Children that showed the most interest or effort in their artwork and/or during the interactive discussion were invited in groups (average size, 14 kids) for free 3-day trips into Marojejy National Park to observe and learn about the silky sifakas.

Four groups, totaling 55 children, were brought into the park. These trips took place between June and August, 2004. All of these children live adjacent to the park but had never been within the park boundaries. They were all extremely excited and very happy to make the trip. While hiking to camp we played a species identification game, where all known plant and animal species were called out as they were encountered. We took turns telling the group about our favorite animal or plant and why we liked it so much. While in camp, we read a conservation story book about a Malagasy hunter who is slowly convinced by his ancestors and the creatures of the forest, who speak to him in his dreams, to respect nature as that is the wish of the ancestors. Then all the children acted it out as a skit. We discussed the behavior and conservation threats to silky sifakas. Then we asked the children to make up songs about what they learned and we all sang those songs. At dawn we tracked and observed the group of silky sifakas that were the subject of my research.

Silky sifakas are absolutely stunning, gorgeous animals with creamy white pelage that has inspired their nickname, “Angels of the Forest”. Virtually all observers, particularly the children, appeared awe-stricken, lost in wonder and joy at their first live sighting of this special lemur. All children returned home with silky sifaka flags and other conservation-related mementos.

Lessons Learned: Village School Presentations

The participation of local teachers greatly facilitated the effectiveness of the school presentations. We actively recruited their assistance, which not only made the teacher feel more involved with what we were doing but also ensured a far more orderly classroom. A slide projector designed for use in developing countries worked very well. It has few moveable parts, projects only one slide at a time, and is powered by a rechargeable battery that can be charged using either solar panels or traditional wall outlets. A teacher recommended we use a battery-powered megaphone to maintain the attention of large groups of children. This was valuable advice. Not only did use of the megaphone permit more people to hear what was being said, it also instantly quieted down the crowd. Although in some cases we spoke to groups as large as 200, in the end we felt that more learning took place in groups of 75 or less. Whenever possible, we divided classes to reduce the group size. Questions were encouraged at all times. We asked the children for their help in saving the silky sifaka. We asked them for advice and ideas. Nearly every student who asked a question or responded to one received an informational photo. The participation of local teachers helped the children to overcome politeness and fear and ask a question.

All presentations were given in the local dialect of the Malagasy language, unless the teacher requested we speak in French. During the presentations, we changed speakers several times to maintain student attention and interest. Typically I began with basic slides about silky sifaka location, rarity, and behavioral biology. After 15 minutes or so, Rabary Desire, a gifted speaker, local environmentalist, and teacher would step in and ask more personal questions of the students, such as “Have you ever seen this animal? Why should we protect this animal? What do you think the threats are to this animal?” Desire would then go on and speak about the next batch of slides covering threats to these animals. Finally after 30 minutes, just as the students were losing interest, Nestor, our most vibrant speaker, would take the stage.

Nestor is a forest guide who tracked and followed wild silky sifakas with me for 14.5 months. He was originally a local farmer and can speak to the students more as an average local man. He spoke emotionally and passionately from the heart about how he used to be a hunter, and now after learning so much about these animals, all he wants to do is protect them and learn about them. Nestor described what an average day is like in the forest. He shared several funny tales of his work tracking the silky sifakas, such as the time one of my field research assistants was afflicted with a leech sucking on her eyeball, and the time I developed an abscess from a poisonous insect bite that became larger than a white man’s fist. He acted it out so well as he spoke. He returned to silky sifaka behavior and acted out an adult female cuffing a male, and showed how the silky sifakas played with one another and showed clear sleeping partner preferences. The students absolutely loved it, and wanted to hear more. Towards the end, he became very serious and described how the silky sifakas appeared in his dreams and that is why he respects them so much and how he tracked them with such ease. The students too become very quiet with serious looks on their faces. Dreams are taken very seriously in Malagasy culture; some believe that is how ancestors communicate with the living. The teacher nodded that the time was up and invariably we were followed by huge groups of children as we left. They had so many questions. We stayed for a long time afterwards and sat with them and talked and laughed. When we finally left, they begged us to return and we could only say “We hope so, but you are the ones who can make the difference.”

Lessons Learned: Ecotours with Local Children

The Malagasy conservation literature we had with us frequently provided some activities of interest to the students. When discussing this literature we did not read in a formal, rigid manner – rather we kept things open and tuned to the students’ interests. If they started acting parts out, we proposed a skit. If they started singing, we all made up songs and shared them with the group. Despite this flexibility, we had a specific curriculum that we wanted the students to learn. At the end of each night in the forest we would review exactly what we had learned about the silky sifaka and conservation threats. We were pleasantly surprised how eager the children were to learn these facts once they had seen the animal in the wild.

However not all of our games and literature were a success. In particular, a conservation-oriented Malagasy language crossword puzzle was generally not understood or of interest to the students. It was like nothing they had ever seen before and perhaps too formally academic.

Finally, deciding which students would be permitted to attend these forest trips was extremely challenging. The initial art contest and question-and-answer session proved effective in identifying many interested students; however there were still far too many students than we were able to bring. We finally asked local teachers to choose the best or most deserving students among those remaining.

Conclusions

Overall, we found all teachers and students to be very interested in the silky sifaka and genuinely concerned about its plight. As is often the case (Weber, personal communication), people were most curious about the behavior of these lemurs. The donated informational photos, field guides, and maps were in great demand. We felt it was important to provide local people with conservation mementos they could take home, keep for a long time, and show to their friends. In all cases, it proved crucial to visit the schools in advance and schedule presentations with the permission and assistance of school officials. It was not difficult to make radio announcements of upcoming presentations or set up radio interviews. Again, we found that the radio stations were eager to interview us and provide information to their audiences. After this experience, it seems clear that local conservation education can have a great positive impact on the conservation of the silky sifaka.

References

Blanchard, K. A. (1995). Reversing population declines in seabirds on the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. In S. K. Jacobson (Ed.), Conserving wildlife: International education and communication approaches (pp. 51-63). New York: Columbia University Press.

Cowlishaw, G., & Dunbar, R. (2000). Primate conservation biology. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Dietz, L. A.; & Nagagata, E. Y. (1995). Golden lion tamarin conservation program: A community educational effort for forest conservation in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. In S. K. Jacobson (Ed.), Conserving wildlife: International education and communication approaches (pp. 64-86). New York: Columbia University Press.

Duckworth, J. W., Evans, M. I., Hawkins, A. F. A., Safford, R. J., & Wilkinson, R. J.. (1995). The lemurs of Marojejy strict nature reserve, Madagascar: A status overview with notes on ecology and threats. International Journal of Primatology, 16, 545-559.

Godfrey, L. R., & Jungers, W. L. (2003). Subfossil lemurs. In S. M. Goodman & J. P. Benstead (Eds.), The natural history of Madagascar (pp. 1247-1252). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Goodman, S. M. (2000). Description of the Parc National de Marojejy, Madagascar, and the 1996 Biological Inventory of the Reserve. Fieldiana Zoology 97, 1-18.

Jacobson, S. K., & Padua, S. M. (1995). Conservation education using parks in Malaysia and Brazil. In S. K. Jacobson (Ed.), Conserving wildlife: International education and communication approaches (pp. 1-15). New York: Columbia University Press.

Mittermeier, R. A., Tattersal, I., Konstant, W. R., Meyers, D. M., & Mast, R. B. (1994). Lemurs of Madagascar. Washington, DC: Conservation International.

Mittermeier, R. A., Konstant, W. R., & Rylands, A. B. (2003). Lemur conservation. In S. M. Goodman & J. P. Benstead (Eds.), The natural history of Madagascar (pp. 1538-1543). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Mittermeier, R. A., Konstant, W. R., Rylands, A. B., Ganzhorn, J., Oates, J. F., Butynski, T. M., Nadler, T., Supriatna, J., Padua, C. V., & Rambaldi, D. (2002). Primates in peril: The world’s top 25 most endangered primates. Washington, DC: Conservation International/IUCN: 1-22.

Safford, R., & Duckworth, W. (1990). A wildlife survey of Marojejy nature reserve, Madagascar. Report of the Cambridge Madagascar rainforest expedition. Cambridge: International Council for Bird Preservation Report #40.

Sechrest, W. (2002). Hotspots and the conservation of evolutionary history. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, 99, 2067-2071.

Tattersall, I. (1982). The primates of Madagascar. New York: Columbia University Press.

Traynor, S. (1995). Appealing to the heart as well as the head: Outback Australia’s Junior Ranger Program. In S. K. Jacobson (Ed.), Conserving wildlife: International education and communication approaches (pp. 16-27). New York: Columbia University Press.

Weber, W. (1995). Monitoring awareness and attitude in conservation education: The mountain gorilla project in Rwanda. In S. K. Jacobson (Ed.), Conserving wildlife: International education and communication approaches (pp. 22-48). New York: Columbia University Press.

Wright, P. C. (1999). Lemur traits and Madagascar ecology: Coping with an island environment. Yearbook of Physical Anthropology, 42, 31-72.

Wright, P. C., Heckscher, S. K., & Dunham, A. E. (1997). Predation on Milne-Edward’s sifaka (Propithecus diadema edwardsi) by the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) in the rain forest of southeastern Madagascar. Folia Primatologica, 68, 34-43.

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Agonism and Affiliation: Adult Male Sexual Strategies Across One Mating Period in Three Groups of Long-Tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

Introduction

In primate groups whose members adhere to a clear social dominance hierarchy, high-ranking animals should have increased access to contested resources (Fedigan, 1983). Due to physiological differences between the sexes, theoretically, females and males place importance on different resources (Trivers, 1972). Female primates have a high energetic investment in prenatal and post-conception care, requiring access to a stable, high quality food supply, in order to provide vital nourishment for themselves and their offspring. In contrast, males are limited by access to females. In most cercopthecines, males have a minimal investment in their offspring and do not engage in parental caretaking behaviors. However, adult males may engage in defense against predators, group defense, or infant defense, which can be a potentially costly investment (Kappeler, 2000). Priority-of-access models (Fedigan, 1983) suggest that females of high rank should obtain increased access to nutritious food supplies, and high-ranking males should achieve increased reproductive success via increased mating opportunities.

In primate groups with overt male-male competition, high-ranking males usually win contests for access to feeding sites and fertilizations. However, high-ranking males may not be able to monopolize mating and reproductive success. This inability affords low-ranking males, subadult males, and extra-group males to employ strategies to obtain fertilizations outside of dominance contests. These strategies include sneak copulations and/or consortships (Sprague, 1992), queue jumping (Alberts et al., 2003), persistent following and/or shadowing of receptive females, sexual coercion (Smuts & Smuts, 1993), and using infants to gain favor with females (Itani, 1959; Deag & Crook, 1971; Strum, 1987; Ogawa, 1995a).

Smuts & Smuts (1993) proposed the “Sexual Coercion Hypothesis”, predicting that male aggression toward females or the threat of male aggression toward females may be a male tactic to increase the chances that the targeted female(s) will mate with the aggressive male, and not with other males (which might bring more aggression) during peak fertility. In contrast to an aggressive strategy, macaques may utilize infants to gain favor with adult females. Barbary and Tibetan macaques develop close bonds with infants and use infants in triadic interactions with other males (Deag & Crook, 1971; Ogawa, 1995a). Male-infant interactions were initially interpreted as a form of parental investment. However, across the Order Primates, several species engage in male-infant interactions and researchers have posited several hypotheses to explain this behavior. These include protecting the infant from infanticidal males (van Schaik et al., 2000), agonistic buffering (Deag & Crook, 1971), passports into groups (Itani, 1959), and kin selection.

Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) live in large, permanent bisexual social groups with female philopatry and male dispersal (van Noordwijk & van Schaik, 2001). Alpha and beta M. fascicularis males generally have increased mating success and subsequently sire more offspring (de Ruiter et al., 1994). However high-ranking males cannot completely monopolize fertilizations, and this inability allows low-ranking males, subadult males, and extra-group males to obtain fertilizations by utilizing alternative strategies. Regardless of the strategy a male uses, the impact of female mate choice cannot be understated (Small, 1989). In long-tailed macaque groups, sexually active adult females may mate with all adult males in the group (van Noordwijk, 1985). Thus, high-ranking long-tailed macaque males can employ two strategies: copulating mostly with a high-ranking female, or copulating with many females (van Noordwijk, 1985).

The goal of this study was to determine whether adult males increase their reproductive success (measured by mating success) by utilizing an aggression-based behavioral strategy (e.g. sexual coercion), an affiliative-based behavioral strategy (e.g. affiliative interactions with infants), or both strategies.

Methods

Data were collected on three groups of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) inhabiting the Padangtegal Temple forest site in Bali, Indonesia. The 139 macaques at this site have a total home range of ~24 hectares. See Fuentes and Gamerl (2005) for site description.

We used continuous focal animal follows and ad libitum notes to record the behavior of ten adult males (Altmann, 1974). The duration of each focal follow was 30 minutes. We collected 42 follows for 9 of the 10 adult males (21 hours per male). The remaining adult male, M7, died during the sixth week of the study; previously we had collected 38 focal follows (19 hours) on this individual. In total, we collected of 208 hours of data on all males (see Table 1). Each male was followed at various times of the day throughout the study. Individuals were identified by facial and body scars or irregularities and from pictures of each adult animal from previous field studies at the site. Research since 1998 at the site has produced a photographic catalogue and video library of every adult male and most of the adult females. Prior to the study we collected preliminary data, developed an ethogram, and conducted inter-observer follows (Cohen’s Kappa Calculation). The frequency and duration of each male’s behavior was analyzed on the SPSS 11.5 statistical package. We used a one-way ANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc test to determine significant differences between the frequency and duration of aggression or affiliation directed toward adult females and/or infants, and the frequency of copulations at the population level. Due to small sample sizes, we used a Chi-Square Goodness-of-fit test with a Bonferroni post hoc test to determine significant differences among these variables between individuals in same group. We used a Spearman’s rho test to determine if the frequencies of copulations were correlated with aggressive or affiliative behaviors initiated toward females and/or infants. We report only the significant values hereafter.

Results

Inclusive Analyses/Within-Group Comparisons For Each Group: Between the two adult males in Group 1, we found significant differences in the duration of aggression initiated toward females (X2=14.1, p<0.001) and infants (X2=18.54, p<0.001), the frequency (X2=15.01, p<0.001) and duration (X2=2972.7, p<0.001) of affiliative behavior initiated toward females, and the frequency (X2=14.4, p<0.001) of affiliative behavior with females and infants. For Group 2 significant differences emerged between the four males in the frequency of copulations (X2=68.7, p<0.001), frequency of aggression initiated toward females (X2=48.5, p<0.001), duration of aggression initiated toward females (X2=488.9, p<0.001), duration of affiliative infant interactions (X2=420.8, p<0.001), total frequency of initiated aggression (X2=52.4, p<0.001), and the total frequency of affiliative interactions (X2=57.6, p<0.001). The three adult males in Group 3 exhibited significant differences in the frequency of affiliative interactions with infants (X2=49.7, p<0.001), duration of aggression initiated toward females (X2=17.7, p<0.001), duration of affiliative infant interactions (X2=5344.2, p<0.001), and total affiliative interactions (X2=17.7, p<0.001).

Between-Group Comparisons and All Adult Males in This Population: We found no significant differences in frequency and duration of these behaviors between groups. The frequency of copulations was not correlated with the frequency or duration of aggression or affiliative behavior initiated toward adult females or infants.

Discussion

Do females prefer aggressive males? Each adult male initiated aggression towards adult females, and in Group 2 and Group 3, the individual males differed in the duration of aggression they directed towards females. However, this variation in aggression across the males did not result in concomitant differences in copulatory frequencies. Copulation frequencies may not reflect rates of fertilization and our data could not clearly determine if this aggression coerced females to mate with the aggressive male at specific times. In each group the frequency of initiated aggression toward females surpassed the frequency of affiliative infant interactions (see Figure 1). On three occasions, the alpha male from Group 1 (M1), copulated immediately after attacking adult females. In these isolated events, intent on the part of the adult female is unknown and therefore it is impossible to determine if the female preferred an aggressive male due to behavioral cues or was acting out of fear of aggression and attempting to minimize potential injury. Group 1 had two adult males, one of whom was very old and died (M7) during the research period. It may be that the high-ranking male in Group 1 was able to sexually coerce females, because the females in this group could not enlist the help of the old, sick male. In Group 2, the alpha male (M17), was observed directing the most aggression toward adult females and had the highest copulation count. These results suggest that in Group 1 and Group 2, sexual coercion techniques afford high-ranking males higher mating success. Interestingly, in Group 3, the third ranking adult male (M9) obtained the highest copulatory frequency for that group (and the third highest for the population) and frequently directed aggression at adult females. While every male in this population initiated aggression toward females, this aggression did not correlate with copulations.

Figure 1: Frequency of aggression and affiliation with adult females. White bar = aggression; black bar = affiliation. Male-Infant Interactions: Male-infant interactions did not have a statistically significant relationship with the frequencies of copulations. However, 84% of the male-infant interactions occurred in Group 3. In comparison to Group 1 and Group 2 males, the duration of adult male-infant interactions in Group 3 was 11.7 times higher (Figure 2). Interestingly, during the study period, Group 3 exhibited frequent and high intensity fighting among the adult males and the dominance relations in this group were extremely unstable. The two highest-ranking males (M5 and M11) formed an alliance against a third adult male (M9), and directed high rates of aggression toward him. We observed M5 and M11 holding, carrying, and grooming infants at much higher rates than the other remaining 8 adult males in the population (18 and 35 occurrences respectively, compared to an average of 1.4 for the remaining males).

Figure 2: Duration of aggression and affiliation with infants. White bar = aggression; black bar = affiliation.

The adult males in Group 3 may be using infants to achieve access or support from adult females (passports and bridging) and also using infants to reduce levels of aggression from others (agonistic buffering) (Itani, 1959; Deag & Crook, 1971; Ogawa, 1995b). We recognize that low-ranking and subordinate males use infants as “agonistic buffers” to reduce aggression from dominant males. However in Group 3, the reverse was observed. Prior to the study period, M9 had reached full maturity, was in prime physical condition, and was larger than the high-ranking males. M9 occasionally displaced and chased the alpha and beta males if those males were alone. In this unusual situation, the higher-ranking males may have used infants to gain the association of females against the subordinate, but larger and aggressive young adult male.

Long-tailed macaques have demonstrated an ability to identify mother-infant pairs (Dasser, 1988). This ability, perhaps, allows adult males to use infants to their advantage by creating and maintaining relationships with others for the purpose of negotiating conflicts. Although our results do not fully support the “bridging” hypotheses, the highest-ranking males (M5 and M11) in Group 3 devoted little time in aggressive interactions and subsequently engaged in very high levels of male-infant interactions (frequencies and durations). Males in this group may be actively using infants to establish or reinforce bonds with females.

Conclusion

The alpha position was linked to the highest frequency of copulations in Groups 1 and 2. In free-ranging Sumatran long-tailed macaques, van Noordwijk & van Schaik (2001) note that males’ lifetime reproductive success is largely determined by acquiring and maintaining dominance. Paternity tests demonstrated that alpha and beta males sire the highest number of offspring in long-tailed macaques (de Ruiter et al., 1994). However, these results may derive from female choice and/or a high-ranking male’s timing of copulation, as opposed to absolute copulatory frequencies (i.e. mating success). High-ranking males in Group 3 did not achieve increased copulatory success. The third ranking male, M9, obtained the highest frequency of copulations in this group. M9’s copulatory success may be attributed to queue jumping (Alberts et al., 2003), female choice (Small, 1989), or the high-ranking males’ inability to monopolize access to females.

The results of our data collection did not fully support (i.e. statistically support) either of the two hypotheses, sexual coercion or the use of infants to increase access to females in order to gain copulatory success. Males at this site were observed engaging in affiliative behaviors with adult females and infants, and also behaved aggressively towards adult females. Rather than suggesting that coercive or affiliative strategies are not being practiced, our results may simply reflect the males’ ability to use the most appropriate behavioral strategy at a specific time. If the results of this study are viewed as a “snapshot” in each male’s life history, we may have observed one or multiple behavioral strategies, which were not mutually exclusive and were useful for this mating season and appropriate for the social atmosphere of each group.

References

Alberts, S. C., Watts, H. E., & Altmann, J. (2003). Queuing and queue-jumping: Long-term patterns of reproductive skew in male savannah baboons, Papio cynocephalus. Animal Behaviour, 65, 821-824.

Altmann, J. (1974). Observational study of behavior: Sampling methods. Behaviour, 49, 227-266.

Dasser, V. (1988). A social concept in Java monkeys. Animal Behaviour, 36, 225-230.

Deag, J. M., & Crook, J. H. (1971). Social behavior and “agonistic buffering” in the Barbary macaque, Macaca sylvanus L. Folia Primatologica, 15, 183-200.

Fedigan, L. M. (1983). Dominance and reproductive success in primates. Yearbook of Physical Anthropology, 26, 91-129.

Fuentes, A., & Gamerl, S. (2005). Disproportionate participation by ages/sex class in aggressive interactions between long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and human tourists at Padangtegal Monkey Forest, Bali, Indonesia. American Journal of Primatology, 66, 197-204.

Itani, J. (1959). Parental care in the wild Japanese monkey, Macaca fuscata fuscata. Primates, 2, 61-93.

Kappeler, P. M. (2000). Primate males: Causes and consequences of variation in group composition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Ogawa, H. (1995a). Recognition of social relationships in bridging behavior among Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). American Journal of Primatology, 35, 305-310.

Ogawa, H. (1995b). Triadic male-female-infant relationships and bridging behaviour among Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). Folia Primatologica, 64, 153-157.

de Ruiter, J. R., van Hoof, J. A. R. A. M., & Wolfgang, S. (1994). Social and genetic aspects of paternity in wild long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Behaviour, 129, 203-224.

Small, M. F. (1989). Female choice in nonhuman primates. Yearbook of Physical Anthropology, 32, 103-127.

Smuts, B. B., & Smuts, R. W. (1993). Male aggression and sexual coercion of females in nonhuman primates and other mammals: Evidence and theoretical implications. Advances in the Study of Behavior, 22, 1-63.

Sprague, D. S. (1992). Life history of male intertroop mobility among Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). International Journal of Primatology, 13, 437-454.

Strum, S. C. (1987). Almost human: A journey into the world of baboons. New York: Random House.

Trivers, R. L. (1972). Parental investment and sexual selection. In B. Campbell (Ed.), Sexual selection and the descent of man, 1871-1971 (pp. 136-179). Chicago: Aldine Press.

van Noordwijk, M. A. (1985). Sexual behavior of Sumatran long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie, 70, 277-296.

van Noordwijk, M. A., & van Schaik, C. P. (2001). Career moves: Transfer and rank challenge decisions by male long-tailed macaques. Behaviour, 138, 359-395.

van Schaik, C. P., Hodges, J. K., & Nunn, C. L. (2000). Paternity confusion and the ovarian cycles of female primates. In C. P. van Schiak & C. Janson (Eds.), Infanticide by males and its implications (pp. 361-387). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

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Travelers’ Health Notes: International Assn for Medical Assistance to Travelers

IAMAT also publishes and provides to its members pamphlets on immunization, schistosomiasis, and malaria, as well as “World Climate Charts” and a “Traveller Clinical Record” form. IAMAT has a scholarship program for physicians from developing countries to attend travel medicine training courses in North America.

For information, contact IAMAT, 40 Regal Rd, Guelph, Ontario, N1K 1B5, Canada [519-836-0102]; 1623 Military Rd, #279, Niagara Falls, NY 14304-1745, U.S.A. [716-754-4883]; 206 Papanui Rd, Christchurch 5, New Zealand; or 57 Voirets, 1212 Grand-Lancy-Geneva, Switzerland [e-mail: info@iamat.org]; or see <www.iamat.org>.

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Primates de las Américas...La Página

I Congreso de Asociación Colombiana de Primatología

Este congreso se llevará a cabo en la ciudad de Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia. Las fechas confirmadas son del 2 al 4 de noviembre de 2005. Los tópicos principales incluyen: Conservación y manejo in situ y ex situ, biología y ecología además de medicina. Para más información escriba a <ACP_investigacion@yahoo.com> o visite <www.geocities.com/primatologica/#>.

VI Congreso de Asociación Primatológica Española

Esta reunión será entre 27 y 30 de septiembre de 2005, en la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, España. Entre los temas del congreso se encuentran uso de herramientas, etología infantil y diferencias y similitudes entre humanos y simios. Para mayor información contacte al Dr. Fernando Colmenares o la Dra. María Victoria Hernández-Lloreda por los correos electrónicos <colmenares@psi.ucm.es> y <ape@psi.ucm.es>. También puede visitar <www.ucm.es/info/ape05>.

Boletín Primatológico Latinoamericano en la red

Algunos artículos del clásico Boletín Primatológico Latinoamericano se encuentran en línea y formato PDF en la página de la Estación Biológica de Corrientes, Argentina <ar.geocities.com/yacarehu/revista.htm>. Entre ellos se encuntran:

• Borda, J. T., Pérez Escalá, S., Nuñez Vastos, V., & Sánchez Negrette, M. (1993). Incidencia de enfermedades renales en Cebus apella (Primates, Cebidae). 4[1], 1-4.
• Bravo, S. P., Kowalewski, M. M., & Zunino G. E. (1995). Dispersión y germinación de semillas de Ficus monckii por el mono aullador negro (Alouatta caraya). 5[1], 25-27.
• DeLuycker, A. (1995). Deforestation, selective cutting, and habitat fragmentation: The impact on a black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) population in northern Argentina. 5[1], 17-24.
• Gil, G., & Heinonen, S. (1993). Presencia del mono caí (Cebus apella) en la provincia de Formosa, Argentina. 4[1], 15-17.
• Giudice, A. M., & Mudry, M. D. (1995). Monos caí (Cebus apella) en cautiverio: Composición de grupos. 5[1], 29-33.
• Giudice, A. M. (1993). Relaciones sociales en un grupo en cautiverio de monos aulladores negros (Alouatta caraya). 4[1], 19-23.
• Jones, C. B. (1995). Alternative reproductive behaviors in the mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata Gray): Testing Carpenter’s hypothesis. 5[1], 1-5.
• Jones, C. B. (1997). Life history patterns of howler monkeys in a time-varying environment. 6[1], 1-8.
• Mudry, M., Fundia, A., Hick, A., & Gorostiaga M. A. (1995). Labilidad cromosómica: Una posible explicación en el origen de los reordenamientos cromosómicos en cébidos. 5[1], 7-15.
• Patiño, E. M. (1993). Leche de Saimiri boliviensis (Primates): Obtención de muestras y composición del suero lácteo. 4[1], 5-8.
• Torres, E., Ascurra, M., Olavarrieta, L., & Schinini, A. (1997). Primera descripción del cariotipo del mono aullador negro (Alouatta caraya) en el Paraguay. 5[1], 1-5.
• Valeggia, C. R., Mendoza, S. P., & Capitanio, J. P. (1997). A non-radioactive assay for determination of mitogen-induced proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). 5[1], 1-5.
• Zunino, G. E., & Mudry, M. D. (1993). Estudio morfológico y cariológico de las subespecies de Cebus apella (Primates, Cebidae) de la Argentina. 4[1], 9-13.

El primer número de la revista digital trimestral de la Asociación Colombiana de Primatología está ya en Internet bajo la dirección editorial de Mauricio García Arcila, María Ortiz y Néstor Varela. Dicha publicación se puede bajar en la página de la asociación <www.geocities.com/primatologica/#> o recibir suscribiéndose al <primatologica-subscribe@gruposyahoo.com>. El primer número (2004, Vol. 1, Nro. 1) contiene los siguientes artículos:

• García-Arcila, M. (2004) La rehabilitación de primates en Colombia. Recopilación de la discución participativa realizada durante el foro “La Rehabilitación de Primates en Colombia” organizado por la ACP en el año 2004.
• Hernández-Baccay, V., & Castillo-Ayala, C. (2004). Cambios en el uso del espacio por una manada de Callicebus torquatus lugens (Bajo Apaporis, Vaupés). Aspectos más relevantes del estudio realizado en mico tocón (Callicebus torquatus lugens).
• Varela, N. (2004). Reseña sobre el mono ardilla (Saimiri sciureus). Información básica y de carácter divulgativo sobre la biología y ecología de los monos ardilla.

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Southeast Asian Primatological Association Established

SEAPA, whose mission is “To promote and enhance the scientific knowledge and the conservation of primates in the ASEAN Member Countries (AMCs), particularly in their natural habitats,” has four main goals:

1. To promote interest in, and enhance the quality of, scientific investigations and conservation efforts on primates in the AMCs, particularly among the AMC nationals.
2. To develop and enhance the capacity of AMC nationals in conducting in-situ scientific research and conservation activities on primates in the AMCs.
3. To serve as the focal point for networking among primatologists and other parties interested in promoting the goals of SEAPA.
4. To provide a better representation of primatologists from AMCs, or of their collective opinions, to international primatological meetings.

• President: Dr. Jatna Supriatna (Indonesia) [e-mail: jsupriatna@conservation.org]
• Secretary General: Dr. Ramesh Boonratana (Malaysia) [e-mail: rbz@loxinfo.co.th]
• Vice President for Research and Conservation: Dr. Le Xuan Canh (Vietnam) [e-mail: lxcanh@ncst.ac.vn]
• Vice President for Networking and Capacity Development: Dr. Perry Ong (Philippines) [e-mail: perryong@csi.com.ph]
• Treasurer: Dr. Ligaya Ita Tumbelaka (Indonesia) [e-mail: gayang@cbn.net.id].

Membership in SEAPA is open to any individual engaged in the pursuit of scientific knowledge and the conservation of primates in the AMCs, or interested in supporting the goals of SEAPA. There are two categories of memberships:

• Full Membership – Any individual who possesses a recognized qualification in a related scientific field, or has made a significant contribution to primatology, or has a demonstrated serious interest in primates. All full members are eligible to vote, but only full members who are AMC nationals are eligible to hold office. Postgraduates may apply for a full membership, but are required to pay the full membership dues of US$20 per annum, from July 1st of the current year to June 30th of the following year.
• Student Membership – Open to all undergraduates and postgraduates who are interested in primatology. Student members can participate in all activities of SEAPA, and are required to pay the student membership dues of US$10 per annum. However, student members are not eligible to hold office or to vote.

* * *

Electronic Freedom of Information Act: Availability of Annual Reports

* * *

Meeting Announcements

ESLAV (European Society of Laboratory Animal Veterinarians) and SECAL (Spanish Society for Laboratory Animal Science) are organizing a Joint Meeting entitled “Welfare in Facilities” . This will be the 6th and 8th Scientific Meetings, respectively, of these organizations and will be held in Elche, Alicante, Spain, on October 5-7, 2005. More information can be found on <www.secaleslavmeeting.org>.

The German Primate Center (DPZ) will host an international conference in Göttingen, Fifth Göttinger Freilandtage, December 13-16, 2005, focusing on primate diversity, taxonomy, and conservation. Invited speakers will summarize and evaluate recent empirical and theoretical work dealing with conservation genetics, extinction biology, primate biogeography, speciation and taxonomy, conservation strategies, and comparative patterns in other taxa (birds and humans).

Confirmed invited speakers are George Amato, Michael Bruford, John Fleagle, Colin Groves, Shawn Lehman, Russell Mittermeier, John Oates, Carlos Peres, Trevor Price, Anthony Rylands, Mark Stoneking, Jatna Supriatna, Carel van Schaik, Anne Yoder, and Robert Zink. You are invited to submit abstracts for relevant oral (15 min) and poster contributions. The conference is also open to guests without presentations. Deadline for registration and submission of abstracts is September 30, 2005. Additional details are available from Peter Kappeler [e-mail: pkappel@gwdg.de] and at: <www.dpz.gwdg.de/sociobiology/GFT2005/index.htm>.

The 2006 AVMA National Meeting will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 15-19.  Sessions scheduled for the meeting include “Current Topics in Laboratory Animal Medicine”. Contact Peggy J. Danneman, Jackson Laboratory, Dept of Lab.Animal Health Services, 600 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609  [207-288-6269;  fax: 207-288-6276;  e-mail: pjd@jax.org].

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Workshop Announcements

The 2006 International Gorilla Workshop will be held June 23-26, 2006, at the Paignton Zoo, Devon, England. Gorilla workers from all disciplines are invited to register. The deadline for submission of abstracts and for early registration is December 31, 2005. Further information and registration details are available at <www.paigntonzoo.org.uk>. Scroll down and click on the gorilla on the left side of the page.

Meeting the Information Requirements of the AWA

The Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has developed a one-and-a-half-day workshop for individuals who are responsible for providing information to meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act.

USDA’s animal welfare regulations require that investigators provide Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) with documentation demonstrating that alternatives to procedures that may cause more than momentary pain or distress to the animals have been considered and that previous experiments are not unnecessarily duplicated. A thorough literature search meets this federal mandate. An alternative is any procedure which results in the reduction in the numbers of animals used, refinement of techniques to minimize pain or distress, or replacement of animals.

The objectives of the workshop are to provide: * an overview of the Animal Welfare Act and the information requirements of the Act including Policy 12 (a representative from USDA’s Animal Care Headquarters will provide an update on regulatory activities and be available to answer questions); * a review of the alternatives concept; * a comprehensive introduction to AWIC, database resources such as Medline, EmBase, Biosis, CAB, AGRICOLA, and Web resources such as Altweb, DTIC, Scirus, NorINA and others; * instruction in developing search strategies to retrieve useful scientific and veterinary information; and * on-line database searching experience.

This workshop is targeted for principal investigators, members of IACUCs, information providers, administrators of animal use programs, and veterinarians. All participants will receive a resource manual. There is no charge for the workshop.

The next workshop will be held in Beltsville, Maryland, on October 26-27, 2005, and will be limited to 20 persons. To register, contact AWIC [301-504-6212; fax: 301-504-7125; e-mail: awic@nal.usda.gov] or see <www.nal.usda.gov/awic/awicworkshops>.

IACUC 101 and Beyond

A new "IACUC 101" page is available at the NIH Office of Extramural Affairs Website: <grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/iacuc101s.htm>.  The IACUC 101 series of training programs is designed to provide IACUC members, administrators, veterinarians, animal care staff, researchers, regulatory personnel, and compliance officers with information on the role and responsibilities of IACUCs.  The page provides information on hosting a 101, the 2005 schedule of OLAW-sponsored 101s, and descriptions of each program in the series.

The following is the remaining 2005 schedule.  Questions should be directed to Mary Lou James [e-mail: mljames@mo.net].

• Sept 21-22: IACUC 101 / IACUC 201; Univ. of South Dakota Med. School, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
• Oct 6: IACUC 101; Univ. of Rochester, Rochester, New York.
• Nov 6: IACUC 101; St. Louis, Missouri.

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Volunteer Opportunities

“Jungle Friends (JF) Primate Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that offers permanent sanctuary care for a variety of primates who have fallen into the wrong hands or are simply no longer wanted. Our program is designed to rehabilitate and socialize primates with their own species. The primates in our care are successfully interacting with members of their own kind, many of which were once species-isolated, neglected, or abused. We are dedicated to animal welfare issues and advocacy for primate protection. Our volunteer program offers qualified individuals, students and groups interested in the well-being of primates and the preservation of the environment, an opportunity to care for our jungle friends.

“JF provides permanent sanctuary for 67 primates (capuchin and spider monkeys, and one marmoset – we do not have any other marmosets here, so we are hoping to find another marmoset to keep him company) at this time. Animal care activities include cleaning cages and habitats; preparing diets; feeding; providing enrichment; performing some medical procedures, restraint, and capture; as well as building and repairing habitats; maintaining the grounds; and record keeping. The work is labor intensive; the climate is very hot and humid in the summer and temperatures can drop to 20 in the winter. The hours are long, usually sun-up to sundown, and there can be times when days off are scarce. We do, however, try to give a day off weekly. The work is difficult and can be stressful, but the rewards are great!

“We are looking for very special people. You must be friendly and have good communication skills, work well with others, and have the ability to lead as well as follow. You must be even-tempered and down to earth. If possible, we prefer that you come to JF for a one-week trial period to evaluate your suitability for this position. JF is located on 12 acres approximately 15 miles from Gainsville; your own transportation is recommended, although not absolutely required. For insurance and health reasons, we are unable to consider applicants who smoke.

“Room and food are provided. The food is donated by a local market and a health food distributor and consists of mainly fruits, vegetables, tofu/meatless products, bread, cereal, food bars, and snack foods. Six-week to one-year programs are available. If you are interested, contact Kari Bagnall, Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, 13915 N State Rd 121, Gainesville, FL 32653 [386-418-0808; e-mail: Kari@junglefriends.org].”

Primate Behavior Field Assistant – Ecuador

A field assistant is needed to aid in data collection for dissertation research on the behavior and health of white-fronted capuchin monkeys (Cebus albifrons). The chosen applicant will gain valuable field experience in a wide array of behavioral field methods, including * primate habituation, * primate group follows, * focal and scan behavioral sampling, * plant collection and preservation, * primate biological sampling and preservation, and * use of radiotelemetry to track primate groups.

The study site is at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Yasuni National Park, Ecuador. Yasuni is considered to be one of the most biodiverse areas in the world for both fauna and flora. Further information about this wonderful site is available at <tiputini.usfq.edu.ec>.

Applicants need to be physically fit because the study site has rough, muddy terrain and thick vegetation. Prior field experience in a foreign country, a knowledge of Spanish, and a background in biology, anthropology, or a related field are all beneficial, but not essential. However, a love of the outdoors, lots of patience, a good sense of humor, and a strong work ethic (assistants will typically work 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., six days a week) are essential.

At this time, no funding is available and the assistant will need to pay for travel expenses (airfare, traveler’s insurance, etc.) and daily room/board ($25/day).

The position begins in June, 2005, and will run until July, 2006. Openings are available throughout this time, with a minimum commitment of 3 months (6 months or more preferred).

Contact Shelly Field, Dept. of Anthropology, Ohio State Univ., 148 Fremont St, Battle Creek, MI 49017 [e-mail address: michelleyfield@hotmail.com].

* * *

Grants Available: Simian Vaccine Evaluation Units

The SVEUs are expected to provide nonhuman primates for the studies, immunize animals with candidate vaccines, conduct initial assessments of immune responses, challenge the nonhuman primates with infectious virus, and determine whether or not the animals become infected. The SVEUs also conduct in vivo titrations of virus challenge stocks and may conduct microbicide studies to evaluate the ability of topically administered microbicides and other antiviral substances to block infection of nonhuman primates with virus administered vaginally or by other mucosal routes. The proposed contracts will continue the work of the current SVEUs. It is anticipated that three to four (3-4) completion type contracts will be awarded as a result of this solicitation. This project will take approximately seven years to complete. It is anticipated that three to four cost reimbursement, completion type contracts will be awarded, each with a period of seven years, beginning approximately May 8, 2006. RFP NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-06-15, with a closing date tentatively set for August 8, 2005, may be accessed through the NIAID Contract Management Program (CMP) Home Page at <www.niaid.nih.gov/contract> – and will also be posted on FedBizOps: <www.fedbizopps.gov>. Any responsible Offeror may submit a proposal that will be considered by the Government. This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract. No collect call will be accepted.

For questions or further information, contact Michelle Scala, Contracting Officer, Division of AIDS, NIAID, Rm 4142, MSC-7620, 6700-B Rockledge Dr., Bethesda, MD 20892-7620 [301-451-3693; fax: 301-402-0972; e-mail: mscala@niaid.nih.gov].

* * *

Resources Wanted and Available

“The Wisconsin PRC Library is in the beginning stages of putting together an environmental enrichment site that will contain, among other things, directions and ideas for enrichment toys, treats, etc.  We will be soliciting input as we develop the site. Meanwhile, be thinking about it.”

PASA Veterinary Healthcare Manual in French

The Pan African Sanctuaries Alliance (PASA) Veterinary Healthcare Manual, a comprehensive guide to captive primate care, is now available in French. The 223-page manual includes charts, photographs, and explicit directions on everything from quarantine procedures to treatment of respiratory, neurological, and skin diseases; and features sections on animal escapes, confiscations, and hand-raising primates, among other topics. PASA veterinarian Eric Dubuis and a team of editors spent the last 11 months translating the manual; copies (in English or French) can be obtained in printed form or on CD by contacting PASA [e-mail: PASAapes@aol.com]. 

New Report on Most Endangered Primates

On April 7, 2005, the Primate Specialist Group of IUCN–The World Conservation Union’s Species Survival Commission and the International Primatological Society, in collaboration with Conservation International, released a report, “Primates in Peril: The World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates—2004-2006”, which reveals that 25 percent—or one in four—of the 625 primate species and subspecies are at risk of extinction. The report, compiled by more than 50 experts from 16 countries, cites deforestation, commercial bushmeat hunting, and the illegal animal trade as the primary threats, and warns that failure to respond will bring the first primate extinctions in more than a century.

A press release, including the list of endangered primates, is available at <www.conservation.org/xp /news/press_releases/2005/040705.xml>.

* * *

Positions Available

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, an AAALAC-accredited program, has an immediate opening for Facility Manager at an Animal Facility. This position requires a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 60 months of relevant experience. AALAS certification is preferred; strong organizational and excellent record-keeping skills are a must; some familiarity with computer software programs such as Word, Excel, and e-mail, is a plus.

This facility contains primates and rodents. Candidates are expected to have significant background experience with animal welfare and husbandry and be dedicated to animal welfare. The successful candidate will supervise day-to-day operations of the facility and will coordinate and facilitate personnel interactions and training. This position needs a candidate with strong supervisory skills, problem-solving skills, independence and maturity of judgment, decision-making skills, and ability to maintain a good team working environment. Given the multiple demands of this position, versatility, flexibility, and strong leadership skills are needed.

Salary is dependent upon education and experience. Background screens will be performed and education will be verified prior to employment. Please be prepared to provide required information and/or documentation. Interested applicants should apply online: <secure.recruitingcenter.net/CLIENTS/VANDERBILT/publicjobs/CanGetJob.cfm?job_id=40165&req=TI40165>.

Questions can be directed to Tiffany Ingram, Human Resources [615-322-0053; fax: 615-343-6388; e-mail: tiffany.ingram@vanderbilt.edu]; or Karen Jackson, Div. of Animal Care, AA-6206 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232-2130 [615- 936-0092; fax: 615-322-7544; e-mail:  karen.jackson@vanderbilt.edu].

Clinical Veterinarian – Yerkes

The Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC) of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, has an immediate faculty opening for a clinical veterinarian with a strong background and interest in lab animal medicine.  The successful candidate will join a team of veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the Division of Animal Resources, which is responsible for the care and well-being of a large population of nonhuman primates and rodents. YNPRC is a major biomedical research institution that is rapidly expanding, with its main facilities at Emory and a 117-acre field station at Lawrenceville.

YNPRC veterinary staff provides preventive and clinical veterinary care for the colony as well as research support to resident and collaborating scientists. The successful candidate will contribute to a wide range of IACUC, environmental enrichment, and training activities, and will participate in the planning, design and/or renovation of existing and new animal research facilities. S/he will contribute to the supervision of veterinary technicians and to Emory’s ACLAM residency training program.

The ideal candidate will have a DVM/VMD degree from an AVMA-accredited institution, be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the United States, and have training or experience in laboratory animal medicine. S/he will also have excellent interpersonal and team-building skills and strong written/oral communication skills.  ACLAM board certification is highly desirable, as are knowledge and hands-on experience in surgical and medical procedures commonly performed in biomedical animal research. Collaborative involvement with investigators is strongly encouraged and prior experience in an academic environment is a plus. An excellent remuneration package will be offered to the right individual. Contact Dr. Jim Else, Associate Director for Research Resources, Yerkes NPRC, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 [e-mail: jelse@rmy.emory.edu], regarding SAR job vacancy #200392. Emory University is an EEO/AA employer.

Veterinarian – Alice, Texas

Covance, one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive drug development services companies, is seeking a veterinarian to provide general veterinary support for site programs; oversee operations of pharmacokinetics and breeding colony areas; develop and perform pertinent SOP’s; serve as study director; ensure animal welfare and regulatory compliance; and represent surgical activities to Covance Research Product clients.

A DVM or VMD degree, licensure in Texas, strong surgical skills, and pharmacokinetics experience are required, along with a demonstrated interest in program development and a client service orientation. Apply online at <www.covance.com/careers>; or e-mail resume to Kacey Vosberg [e-mail: kacey.vosberg@covance.com].

Animal Health or Vet Tech – Metro Boston Area

A national nonprofit organization is seeking experienced veterinary or animal health technicians for full-time care and husbandry positions working with New World primates. Responsibilities include feeding, cleaning, administering medications, placement training and other care as needed. Weekday and weekend shifts are required, as is reliable transportation. This is not a research job, but involves life-long care.

Qualifications required: AS/BS preferred in veterinary technology, animal science, biology or a related field; one year of primate experience or, in lieu of a degree, at least five years of experience with primates; CVT, AHT, or LAT certification preferred. Placement training experience not required; the organization will train. Professionalism and a good work ethic are essential. Salary is commensurate with experience; full employer-paid medical and optional employee-paid dental are available. Please e-mail cover letter, resume, and references to <vettechresumes@yahoo.com>.

Manager, Technical Operations – Bethesda

SAIC-Frederick, Inc., is seeking a manager of technical operations who will be responsible for managing a large animal facility. This position requires: * a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university with course work related to biomedical research or equivalent experience; * three years of progressively responsible technical or technically related administrative experience involving contract or program administration in an animal facility; * strong management skills and experience including effective communication skills that enable the individual to interact with all levels of management including government personnel; * ability to perform a wide range of administrative functions including work scheduling, staff supervision, procurement, space allocation, and budgetary control; * excellent organizational skills and attention to details; * the ability to multi-task; * and previous experience with nonhuman primates, dogs and other large animals, and rodents.

SAIC-Frederick, Inc., is dedicated to supporting our employees in their professional and personal achievements. We offer an excellent salary and benefits program and the opportunity to be an employee-owner in one of the world’s largest and most innovative employee-owned companies. To be part of an operation that is rapidly driving the future of cancer and AIDS research, please apply at <www.saic.com> or <saic.ncifcrf.gov>, referencing job code number KMB111811.

Veterinarian – California NPRC

The California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC) is seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic veterinarian to join its primate medicine team. Position responsibilities include daily clinical care, project support, and teaching in a fast-paced biomedical research facility. The CNPRC houses approximately 5000 nonhuman primates of three different species and supports a diverse variety of research programs. Salary and appointment level will be commensurate with experience.

Requirements are a DVM/VMD from an AVMA-accredited college of veterinary medicine and a current license in the United States, as well as excellent communication skills, a service-oriented attitude, and a desire to work in a challenging environment.

For more information, contact either Laurie Brignolo [e-mail: llbrignolo@primate.ucdavis.edu] or Kari Christe, [e-mail: klchriste@primate.ucdavis.edu]; or see <jobs.hr.ucdavis.edu/jm/ViewVacancy?id=2825>.

You may apply online at <www.hr.ucdavis.edu/ Emp/Careers/Application_Process>, or write to UC Davis Human Resources Administration Bldg., Orchard Park, Davis, CA 95616. Applications must be received before 5:00 p.m. on August 12 for consideration.

Lab Animal Clinical Veterinarian – North Carolina

Wake Forest University’s Animal Resources Program is seeking a clinical veterinarian to provide medical care to animals, including primates, rodents, and a variety of other species used in teaching and in a research-intensive setting. The candidate will join a team of veterinary faculty and staff responsible for the provision of animal care that ensures compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements. Additional responsibilities will include supervision of 3-4 animal health technicians, consultation with research faculty and staff on issues pertaining to animal care and use, training of personnel, and participation in IACUC activities.

Qualifications include a degree in veterinary medicine from an AVMA-accredited school, state licensure to practice veterinary medicine in the United States, and one year of veterinary practice experience, as well as  excellent communication skills (written and oral) and a service-oriented attitude.  Other desirable qualifications are training and/or experience in laboratory animal medicine, surgical experience, and supervisory skills.  Apply at <www.hrfin.wfubmc.edu:8001/hepro/wfuhsjobs.htm>. Wake Forest University is an AA/EOE.

* * *

Announcements from Publications

Biomed Central announces a new electronic journal, BMC Veterinary Research, which publishes original research articles in all aspects of veterinary science and medicine, including the epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of medical conditions of domestic, companion, farm, and wild animals, as well as the biomedical processes that underlie their health. BMC Veterinary Research (ISSN 1746-6148) is indexed by PubMed. See <www.biomedcentral.com/bmcvetres>.

Veterinary Virology

Chapters on Parvoviridae, Circoviridae, Poxviridae, and Herpesviridae have been added to the book, A Concise Review of Veterinary Virology, written by G. Carter, D. Wise, and E. Flores. These chapters are available at <www.ivis.org/new.asp>.

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News Briefs

A Yale University biologist whose scientific career was first inspired by a student tour of the Duke University Primate Center has been named the Center’s new director. Anne Yoder, a Yale associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, will join the Duke faculty Aug. 1, 2005 and assume the directorship on Jan. 1, 2006.

Yoder succeeds William Hylander, a professor of biological anthropology and anatomy who since 2001 has served as director of the world’s only research and education center devoted to prosimians. The Duke center has the world’s largest collection of endangered primates. – From a Duke press release, March 16, 2005

Study Will Debate Monkey Future in U.K.

A major study will examine what limits should be put on the continued use of nonhuman primates in U.K. experiments. The review is being undertaken by four of Britain’s leading medical and scientific organizations: the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal Society, the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. It follows the fractious arguments between the research community and the animal welfare lobby over the need for new testing centers in the country.

Some 3,000 primates – mostly marmoset and macaque monkeys – are used in British labs each year. Three-quarters of them are employed in toxicology tests – checking to see if new drug compounds are likely to be harmful if carried forward into human trials.

Members of the working group, which will be chaired by Sir David Weatherall, will be drawn from outside the nonhuman primate research community. The group will include a broad range of scientific expertise, in addition to ethical and lay representation. Sir David said: “We hope to establish areas where alternatives, such as genetically modified mice or computer modeling, might be an appropriate option.” – Story from BBC NEWS, March 23, 2005

Three Francois Langurs Die at Lincoln Park Zoo

The president of Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, offered to quit his post after three Francois langur monkeys died at the zoo in one week, but his resignation was refused, according to a statement issued by the zoo. The zoo’s Board of Directors will wait for results of an independent audit before deciding how to respond to the latest animal deaths, zoo Chairman Jay Proops said in the statement.

“I do not feel it is in the best interest of the institution to even consider (Kevin Bell’s) resignation until the audit is complete and the board can make clear judgments based on fact, rather than speculation,” Proops said. Animal rights activists have been calling for Bell’s resignation since the May 1 death of Wankie, the third of the North Side institution’s elephants to die since October.

The zoo today said that about 4 p.m. on May 10, keepers discovered a 7-year-old female langur dead in its exhibit in the Helen Brach Primate House. Another langur, a 12-year-old male, was found dead in the exhibit the next morning. The third langur died in the zoo hospital May 12. University of Illinois pathologists were called in to perform necropsies. It may take several weeks for results to be returned. In the interim, the langur exhibit will remain empty of animals.

The zoo said in its statement it would await necropsy results before stating a cause of death for the monkeys, but acknowledged “strong suspicions among zoo experts that the deaths are connected to a change of exhibit.” Proops said the zoo’s board has asked the American Zoo and Aquarium Association to immediately convene an independent panel to review the zoo’s animal care and management practices. The review will begin this month and could take several weeks to complete, he said. Its report will go directly to the zoo’s board. – May 12, 2005, Chicago Tribune

Last of the Bonobos Arrive at Great Ape Trust

Three more bonobos have arrived at the Great Ape Trust of Iowa, in Des Moines. They arrived at the research center today, completing the transfer of the colony from the Language Research Center at Georgia State University in Atlanta. They are Kanzi, a 25-year-old male, along with his 35-year-old adopted mother, Matata, and P-Suke, a 26-year-old male.  Kanzi is one of the world's most studied great apes.  Five other bonobos arrived earlier this spring. Two orangutans were the center's first residents.

The center will be the largest great ape center in North America and one of the first in the world to have all four types of great apes – bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. – Posted to Primate-Net, May 15

Animal Rights Museum in Madison

The Primate Freedom Project and the Madison, Wisconsin-based Alliance for Animals have announced that they are close to closing a deal to buy a set of sheds between UW-Madison’s National Primate Research Center and primate psychology lab. The sheds currently belong to Budget Bicycles, which uses them to store inventory, UW-Madison officials said. The animal rights groups plan to open a museum detailing primate suffering in research; see <www.PrimateResearch.com>. – Chicago Sun-Times, June 6

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Recent Books and Articles

Books

* No One Loved Gorillas More: Dian Fossey: Letters From the Mist. C. De La Bedoyere; photographs by B. Campbell; foreword by J. Goodall. Vancouver: Raincoast Books, 2005. 192 pp. [Price: $39.95]

* The Ape in the Tree: An Intellectual and Natural History of Proconsul. A. Walker & P. Shipman. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press, 2005. [Price $26.95]

* Behavioral Flexibility in Primates: Causes and Consequences. C. B. Jones. New York: Springer Press, 2005. [Price: $149]

* Man the Hunted: Primates, Predators, and Human Evolution. D. Hart & R. W. Sussman. Philadelphia: Westview Press, 2005. [Price: $29.95]

* Systematic Review of Japanese Macaques, Macaca fuscata (Gray, 1870). J. Fooden & M. Aimi. Fieldiana: Zoology New Series, No. 104. Chicago: Field Museum of Natural History, 200 pp. (Price: $55; Order from <store.fieldmuseum.org>.
. . . Includes 53 tables, 25 figures (one in color), and 10 appendicies.

* The Human Fossil Record, Volume 4: Craniodental Morphology of Early Hominids (Genera Australopithecus, Paranthropus, Orrorin) and Overview. J. H. Schwartz & I. Tattersall. [Price: $195.00] Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Magazines and Newsletters

* The Conservation Behaviorist, 2005, 3[1], <www.animalbehavior.org/ABS/Conservation/ccConsBeh.html>.

* Folia Primatologica, 2005, 76[3].
. . . Colour discrimination in the black-tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix penicillata): Ecological implications, by D. M. A. Pessoa, J. F. Cunha, C. Tomaz, & V. F. Pessoa; Primate population densities in three nutrient-poor Amazonian Terra Firme forests of South-Eastern Colombia, by E. Palacios & C. A. Peres; New fossil Platyrrhine from Argentina, by M. F. Tejedor; A comparative study of adult facial morphology and its ontogeny in the fossil macaque Macaca majori from Capo Figari, Sardinia, Italy, by L. Rook & P. O’Higgins; Extra-unit sexual behaviour among wild Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Qinling Mountains of China, by D. Zhao, B. Li, Y. Li, & K. Wada; Occurrence of infanticide among wild proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in Sabah, Northern Borneo, by G. Agoramoorthy & M. J. Hsu; and Use and manufacture of tools to extract food by captive Gorilla gorilla gorilla: Experimental approach, by E. Pouydebat, C. Berge, P. Gorce, & Y. Coppens.

* Gorilla Gazette, April, 2005, 18[1]. (Contact J. Dewar, P.O. Box 210, Morganton, GA 30560 [e-mail: jdewar@ gorilla-haven.org])
. . . Includes many interesting articles, as well as a CD-ROM of the Proceedings of the 2004 Gorilla Workshop.

* IPPL News, April, 2005, 32[1]. [International Primate Protection League, P.O. Box 766, Summerville, SC 29484; e-mail: info@ippl.org]

* Journal of Medical Primatology, 2005, 34[2].
. . . A review of spontaneous neoplasia in baboons (Papio spp.), by R. E. Cianciolo & G. B. Hubbard; Characterization of an immortalized oviduct cell line from the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis), by H. Okada, Y. Hirose, P. Manonmani, A. Uda, M. Ito, & T. Sankai; Ovarian follicular development stimulated by leuprorelin acetate plus human menopausal gonadotropin in chimpanzees, by N. Yoshimoto, K. Shimoda, Y. Mori, R. Honda, H. Okamura, Y. Ide, T. Nakashima, N. Nakagata, R. Torii, Y. Yoshikawa, & I. Hayasaka; Comparison of the effects of Percoll and PureSperm® on the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) semen, by L. Hernández-López, N. Umland, R. Mondragón-Ceballos, & P. L. Nayudu; Treatment of myocardial dysfunction and pulmonary oedema in an infant chimpanzee, by E. Robel-Tillig, K. Eulenberger, M. Knüpfer, J. Junhold, C. Vogtmann, & W. Kiess; Hematological and serum biochemical values in cynomolgus monkeys anesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride, by C.-Y. Kim, H.-S. Lee, S.-C. Han, J.-D. Heo, M.-S. Kwon, C.-S. Ha, & S.-S. Han; and Molecular cloning and in vitro evaluation of an infectious simian-human immunodeficiency virus containing env of a primary Chinese HIV-1 subtype C isolate, by Y. Y. Wu, K. X. Hong, A.-L. Chenine, J. B. Whitney, Q. M. Chen, Y. Q. Geng, R. M. Ruprecht, & Y. M. Shao.

* Journal of Medical Primatology, 2005, 34[3].
. . . SIV-specific T lymphocyte responses in PBMC and lymphoid tissues of SIV-infected pigtailed macaques during suppressive combination antiretroviral therapy, by L. M. Carruth, M. C. Zink, P. M. Tarwater, M. D. Miller, M. Li, L. A. Queen, J. L. Mankowski, A. Shen, R. F. Siliciano, & J. E. Clements; Expression levels of genes for ATP-binding cassette transporters and sterol 27-hydroxylase in liver and intestine of baboons with high and low cholesterolemic responses to dietary lipids, by R. S. Kushwaha, A. Rosillo, & H. C. McGill; Assessment of nutritional status in rhesus monkeys: Comparison of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and stable isotope dilution, by S. Blanc, R. Colman, J. Kemnitz, R. Weindruch, S. Baum, J. Ramsey, & D. Schoeller; Cataracts in a laboratory colony of African green monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops), by R. Plesker, U. Hetzel, & W. Schmidt; Hematologic and lymphocyte immunophenotypic reference values for normal rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) umbilical cord blood: Gravidity may play a role in study design, by L. B. Rogers, M. B. Kaack, M. C. Henson, T. Rasmussen, E. Henson, R. S. Veazey, D. J. Krogstad, & B. B. Davison; Risks associated with environmental enrichment: Intestinal obstruction caused by foraging substrate, by J. V. Seier, M. A. Dhansay, & A. Davids; and Comparison between sex and age class on some physiological, thermal, and hematological indices of the cerrado’s marmoset (Callithrix penicillata), by V. Boere, E. C. Pinheiro, I. de Oliveira e Silva, G. R. Paludo, G. Canale, T. Pianta, A. Welker, & R. C. Rocha-de-Moura.

* Neotropical Primates: A Journal and Newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, 2004, 12[1].
. . . Plantas útiles en la alimentación de primates en la Cuenca del Río Samiria, Amazonia Peruana, by R. Aquino & R. E. Bodmer; Habitat use by the white-footed tamarin, Saguinus leucopus: A comparison between a forest-dwelling group and an urban group in Mariquita, Colombia, by K. Poveda & P. Sánchez-Palomino; New records of Martins’ bare-face tamarin, Saguinus martinsi (Primates: Callitrichidae), by L. de Carvalho Oliveira, S. Miscow Mendel, J. de Sousa e Silva, Jr., & G. Wilson Fernandes; Behavioural changes in response to an injured group member in a group of wild moustached tamarins (Saguinus mystax), by E. R. Tirado Herrera & E. W. Heymann; Diurnal birth of a wild red titi monkey, Callicebus cupreus, at the Estación Biológica Quebrada Blanco, by W. I. Terrones Ruíz, D. M. Vela Diaz, C. Flores Amasifuén, & E. W. Heymann; Occurrence and diet of the black bearded saki (Chiropotes satanas satanas) in the fragmented landscape of western Maranhão, Brazil, by M. Port-Carvalho & S. F. Ferrari; Infección por larvas de Alouattamyia baeri (Diptera: Cuterebridae) en monos aulladores, Alouatta palliata (Primates: Cebidae) de la Costa Caribe de Costa Rica, by O. Calderón-Arguedas, A. Troyo, M. E. Solano, R. Sánchez, M. Chinchilla, & G. A. Gutiérrez-Espeleta; and Flora bacterial oral y su perfil de sensibilidad a antibióticos en monos de Costa Rica (Alouatta palliata y Ateles geoffroyi), by M. del Mar Gamboa-Coronado, E. Rodríguez-Cavallini, G. Rojas-Contreras, R. Sánchez-Porras, & G. Gutiérrez-Espeleta.

* PrimeApes, Spring 2005, 9[1]. [Center for Great Apes, P.O. Box 488, Wauchula, FL 33873]
. . . Includes a report on hurricane damage last year.

Special Journal Issues

* Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Settings, 2005. National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc. (NASPHV). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2005, 54[RR04], www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_rr.html>.
. . . Includes an appendix, “Disinfectants and their properties”, and a Continuing Education Activity.

* In memory of Professor Patricia S. Goldman-Rakic. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience, 2005, 4[4].
. . . Contents include “Domain specificity in the primate prefrontal cortex”, by L. M. Romanski; “Making your next move: Dorsolateral prefronta