Normal hematologic values in the cynomolgus monkeys aged from 1 to 18 years

Normal hematological values including erythrocyte count (RBC), hematocrit value (Ht), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), total leucocyte count (WBC), and differential leucocyte count were determined with 206 healthy cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) aged in 1 to 18 years. These animals were born and reared at Tsukuba Primate Center for Medical Science, NIH, Japan. Additionally, 32 cynomolgus monkeys of wild origin estimated to be 5 or more years old were examined for their hematology. The presence or absence of sex- and age-related differences in the values was statistically analysed. As regards infant and juvenile monkeys, there were no significant differences in RBC, Ht and Hb between males and females. However, these values became significantly larger in males than in females after sexual maturation. Lymphocyte count was larger than neutrophil count until 3 to 4 years of age after birth, but this relation was inverted in adult monkeys aged more than 5 years. Segmentation of the nucleus was a prominent finding in neutrophils. Neither sex- nor age-related difference in the number of nuclear segmentation was noted.     

Effects of hand‐rearing on the reproductive success of western lowland gorillas in North America

This study sought to assess the potential effects of hand‐rearing by evaluating the relationships among rearing type and reproductive success in the American Zoo and Aquarium Association's Species Survival Plan^® for western lowland gorillas. Our study included data on 697 gorillas: 257 wild‐born (WB) and 440 born at zoos or related facilities in North America. We found no significant differences in the number of reproductive zoo‐born (ZB) and WB females, but more WB males sired infants than their ZB counterparts. This was influenced by a skew in the number of reproductive years for WB males in the studbook. ZB males showed no difference in infants produced per reproductive year, as compared to WB males, while ZB females produced more infants per reproductive year than did WB females. Mother‐reared (MR), ZB females produced more offspring and used more reproductive opportunity than hand‐reared (HR) females, whereas rearing had no effect on the reproductive success of ZB males. Moreover, MR and partially hand‐reared (PHR) females were more likely to become nurturing mothers themselves. Zoo Biol 21:389–401, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Comparison of the gonadal response of wild and laboratory field voles (Microtus agrestis) to different photoperiods

Weanling male and female field voles from laboratory stock and from the F1 generation of wild-caught animals were placed in a long (16L:8D) or short (6L:18D) photoperiod for 28 or 56 days. Both types of field vole showed the well-established effect of photoperiod upon sexual maturation, with animals in the long photoperiod having larger and more active gonads than animals in the short photoperiod. After 28 and 56 days laboratory stock females were more mature, sexually, and had a higher growth rate than did Wild F1 females. There was no difference between the two types of males at 28 days, but by 56 days laboratory stock males were more sexually mature and had a higher growth rate than did Wild F1 males. These differences between the two types occurred in the long and short photoperiods. There was no interaction between photoperiod and type of vole. The use of laboratory stock animals in experiments could lead to an incorrect assessment of the effect of photoperiod in the control of seasonal breeding in wild populations.     

The behavioral endocrinology of domestication: A comparison between the domestic guinea pig (Cavia aperea f. porcellus) and its wild ancestor, the cavy (Cavia aperea)

In this study spontaneous behavior and endocrine parameters were compared between the domestic guinea pig (Cavia aperea f. porcellus) and its wild ancestor, the cavy (Cavia aperea), to elucidate the process of domestication in this species. In 120 h of observation time the behavior of five groups of wild and seven groups of domestic guinea pigs, each consisting of one adult male and two adult females, was analyzed quantitatively. To assess the activities of the pituitary-adrenocortical (PAC), the pituitary-gonadal (PG), and the sympathetic-adrenomedullary (SAM) systems, serum cortisol, testosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine concentrations, as well as adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase activities, were determined in males of both forms. The following significant differences between wild cavies and domestic guinea pigs were found: the domesticated animals displayed less aggressive but more sociopositive and more male courtship behavior than their wild ancestors. In addition, they were distinctly less attentive to their physical environment than the wild cavies. The basal activity of the SAM system, as well as the reactivity of the SAM and the PAC systems, was distinctly reduced in the domesticated animals. In contrast, the basal activity of the PAC system did not differ between both forms. The activity of the PG system was significantly higher in males of the domestic guinea pig than in male wild cavies. Thus, in guinea pigs the process of domestication has led to typical behavioral traits-reduced aggressiveness, increased social tolerance-which have also been found in comparisons between wild and domestic forms of other species. The decreased reactivity of the organism's stress axes can be regarded as a physiological mechanism which helps domesticated animals to adjust to man-made housing conditions.     

当年生高山姬鼠最大代谢率

用开放式呼吸仪测定了当年生和往年生高山姬鼠的冷诱导和运动诱导最大代谢率。当年生高山姬鼠的冷诱导最大代谢率为:(7.25±0.25)mLO2/(g.h),运动诱导最大代谢率为(9.22±0.27)mLO2/(g.h);当年生鼠冷诱导最大代谢率雌雄间无显著差异,运动诱导最大代谢率雌雄间差异显著。当年生高山姬鼠的冷诱导最大代谢率低于往年个体,运动诱导最大代谢率高于往年生个体。结果表明:当年生高山姬鼠忍受寒冷的能力低于往年个体,可能是对横断山地区年平均气温较低的自然环境的胁迫产生的适应;而雄性运动诱导最大代谢率大于雌性,可能是为了适应避免近亲繁殖和激烈竞争而在性成熟后从出生地向外扩散。     

Influence of host weight, sex and reproductive status on helminth parasites of the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, in Navarra, Spain.

A study was carried out in Navarra (northern Spain) on the influence of the weight, sex and reproductive status (lactant, pregnant or lactant + pregnant females and testicular weight for males) of the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on two cestodes species: Andrya cuniculi and Mosgovoyia ctenoides and four intestinal nematodes: Graphidium strigosum, Trichostrongylus retortaeformis, Nematodiroides zembrae and Dermatoxys hispaniensis. A significantly higher prevalence of A. cuniculi was detected in lactant + pregnant females compared with non-breeding females. Trichostrongylus retortaeformis and N. zembrae showed a significantly higher mean intensity in lactant and lactant + pregnant females than in non-reproductive females. Trichostrongylus retortaeformis presented a higher mean intensity in females than in males, and the mean intensity of the same parasite species was significantly lower in active and inactive males compared with lactant and lactant + pregnant females. There were no significant differences between sexes in the prevalence of helminth parasites. No significant correlation was detected between host weight and the intensity (of infection) of helminths studied. No significant differences in the prevalence and mean intensity of the two cestode species were observed in the three weight categories studied (kittens, juveniles and adults). The prevalence of G. strigosum and mean intensity of T. retortaeformis were significantly higher in older heavier animals than in juveniles.     

安徽野生和自繁恒河猴血液生化指标的测定与分析简

目的 测定人工饲养条件下安徽野生和自繁恒河猴的血液生化指标,并比较分析两种来源的恒河猴,雌、雄猴间以及感染BV阳性与阴性恒河猴生化指标的差异性.方法采用全自动生化分析仪对安徽野生和自繁恒河猴的14个血液生化指标进行测定,并用统计学方法比较了相同性别的野生猴与自繁猴以及感染BV阳性与阴性恒河猴血液生化值的差异性.结果 野生猴与自繁猴雄性的生化指标普遍高于雌性,野生猴碱性磷酸酶、甘油三脂和谷氨酰基转移酶雌雄间差异显著;自繁猴碱性磷酸酶、白蛋白、血清Ca、甘油三脂、肌酐和谷氨酰基转移酶雌雄间差异有显著性.除谷草转氨酶、尿素氮和血清总胆固醇外,感染BV阳性较感染BV阴性的恒河猴所得生化指标高.结论 野生猴与自繁猴,雌雄间猴以及感染BV阳性与阴性猴的血液生化指标有一定的差异性.     

Diet and feeding behavior of semi-free ranging mandrills in an enclosed gabonais forest

Twelve wild born mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx), six males, six females, were studied in a 1.4-ha forest enclosure in Gabon Africa. Seventy-six percent of their food was obtained from the ground (45% unidentified food objects foraged from the leaf litter, 21% from ground plants, and 10% animal matter) while 23% was taken from arboreal sources (10% from trees, 10% from vines, and 3% from shrubs). Plant parts eaten include seeds, roots, fruits, stem pith, apical branch ends, mature and immature leaves, nuts, buds, blossoms, and bark. There were significant dietary differences between sexes. There were also individual dietary differences both in preferred foods and arboreal vs terrestrial foraging locations. At nearly all times of the day at least 70% of the study group was on the ground. Sixty-four percent of their time was spent feeding, with females spending more time feeding than males. High rates of feeding were seen throughout the day, with high individual variances, which is explained by individual food preferences and a temporal partitioning of the food resources. These findings are compared to those observed in wild mandrills and other baboons.     

Mate Choice for Non-siblings in Wild House Mice: Evidence from a Choice Test and a Reproductive Test

Two experiments were designed to test whether wild house mice discriminate between olfactory cues from different kin and, if so, whether given preferences would relate to actual reproductive decisions. Experimental animals were mice born to the offspring of wild-caught house mice. Litter-mates stayed together until 60 d of age and were then housed individually. In a choice test, animals were placed in the middle of an arena with 4 openings which led to small cages containing bedding material from opposite-sex animals of known kinship (full-sib, cousin, unrelated) or clean material. Test animals (11 oestrous females, 11 males tested with oestrous females' bedding, 8 males tested with material from non-oestrous females) preferred conspecific to control bedding. Males tested with oestrous females' bedding significantly preferred unrelated to full-sib odours. In a second experiment, 34 males were each mated simultaneously to 3 females (sister, cousin, unrelated) and these groups were then housed together for 5, 10, and 15 d. Females were checked for litters during the next 20 d. Reproductive rate increased significantly in the 15 d cohabitation group, and significantly more cousin and unrelated females than sisters gave birth to a litter.     

Growth and mortality in juvenile European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniclus)

Factors influencing the growth and mortality patterns of young were examined in a small population of European wild rabbits. Juveniles were trapped and tagged for individual identification soon after their emergence from underground nests. Age was estimated from weight on first capture and survivorship determined from the last date individuals were observed. Differences in growth rates of young born throughout the season and between the three years of the study were related to population density. Maternal social status had no significant effect on post-emergence growth rates of kittens, or on offspring survival. Young born in females' first litters of the season, in March, had significantly lower mortality than subsequent litters. Cats and stoats were regularly observed on the study site and are likely to have been major agents of juvenile mortality. There was no difference in the growth rates of the sexes, and correspondingly non-breeding adult males and females were of similar body weight. From their first days above ground juvenile males suffered significantly higher mortality than females. Differential mortality may be linked to previously reported sex differences in behaviour if the greater activity of young males made them more vulnerable to predation or attack by neighbouring territorial conspecifics.     

Sperm mortality, insemination and fertilization in the damselfly Ischnura senegalensis: comparisons between wild and inbred populations

Inbreeding can have deleterious effects on individual or population fitness. To avoid fitness reduction, individuals may adopt behavioral or physiological mechanisms to reduce their investment in the production of offspring with genetically similar mates. We examined whether insemination by inbred males introduced more dead sperm than insemination by wild males by counting sperm in female Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur) sperm storage organs. If inbred males inseminated fewer or lower-quality sperm, females would avoid inferior sperm. Our results revealed three features of damselfly inbreeding: insemination failed in a larger proportion of inbred pairs than in wild pairs, inbred pairs showed significantly reduced fertility, and the numbers of live and dead sperm in an inbred female’s sperm storage organs did not differ from those in wild females. These results suggested that neither sperm quantity nor sperm quality was responsible for low fertility to a significant extent, but some kind of female quality, such as sperm usage or storing ability, was. Although inbred pairs had lower fertility, there were no significant differences between inbred and wild pairs in the total numbers of live or dead sperm. It thus seemed that female choice at the insemination stage was responsible for low fertility rather than sperm quantity or quality measured by live-to-dead ratio.     

Selective adrenergic stimulant actions of 1-isopropylamino-3-(2-thiazoloxy)-2-propanol (ITP) in anesthetized cats

Superfused adrenals of wild and laboratory strains of house mice were stimulated with ACTH. Superfusates were assayed fluorometrically for corticosterone. Lab males had significantly smaller adrenals, lower resting levels and lower stimulated levels of corticosterone than lab females, relative to body weight. In addition, adrenals of lab males were smaller and exhibited lower stimulated levels of corticosterone than wild males. Wild males had smaller adrenals and lower resting levels of corticosterone than wild females, but their response to ACTH stimulation was the same. There were no significant differences between lab and wild females in any of the parameters measured. Adrenals of wild house mice reared from birth by lab females responded in the same manner as their wild-caught counterparts; this indicated that the observed levels were due to genetic differences between wild and domestic stocks rather than to the stimuli of capture, captivity and handling.     

A preliminary behavioral comparison of two captive all-male gorilla groups

Gorillas live in polygamous harem groups, generally composed of one male, several adult females, and their offspring. With an equal numbers of male and female gorillas born in captivity, however, housing gorillas in social breeding units inevitably means that some males will not have access to female social partners. Thus, the future of the captive gorilla population depends on the collective ability of zoos to house equal numbers of males and females. This study examined the behavioral profiles of two all-male groups of captive lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) to provide information on this type of housing situation. One group consisted of three subadult individuals, while the other consisted of two subadults and a silverback. Data were collected during two 6-month intervals, for a total of 284 hr. The behavioral profiles of the animals were stable over the course of the study but proximity patterns changed. Differences in feeding, solitary play, and object-directed behavior were found between groups, while no significant differences were observed in affiliative or agonistic social behavior. At both institutions, group cohesion appeared to be high, particularly between subadults; these individuals spent approximately 10% of their time engaging in social behavior and 25-50% of their time in close proximity (within 5 m). However, the Zoo Atlanta males spent significantly more time within 1 m and 5 m of each other than the Santa Barbara males, which may reflect a higher level of cohesiveness among members of the Zoo Atlanta group. The behavioral profiles of the animals in this study were similar to those found in bachelor groups of wild mountain gorillas. One notable exception was the absence of homosexual behavior between the silverback and subadults in Santa Barbara and the low frequency of this behavior between subadults in both groups. Although more longitudinal data are needed, these data suggest that all-male groups can be a feasible housing strategy for males at certain periods of their life span. Zoo Biol 20:27-40, 2001. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

达乌尔黄鼠犁鼻器和副嗅球的组织结构及嗅球c-Fos表达的季节变化

啮齿动物的犁鼻器和副嗅球与社会通讯和生殖行为有关,主嗅球影响其觅食行为。达乌尔黄鼠（Spermophilus dauricus）是一种具有较低社会行为的储脂类冬眠动物。本研究用组织学和免疫组织化学方法探究了其犁鼻器和副嗅球的结构特点及嗅球神经元活动对季节变化的适应。结果发现,达乌尔黄鼠犁鼻器具有较大的血管,犁鼻器管腔外侧为非感觉性的呼吸上皮（Respiratory epithelium,RE）,内侧为感觉上皮（Sensory epithelium,SE）,RE较SE薄,靠近管腔处为假复层柱状上皮。选取犁鼻器中间部位比较,发现SE的厚度、长度及感觉细胞密度均无性别差异。副嗅球位于主嗅球后方背内侧,由6层细胞构成。侧嗅束穿过副嗅球,位于颗粒细胞层之上。雄性达乌尔黄鼠较雌性有更长的僧帽细胞层和颗粒细胞层。春季（3月）和冬季（1月）达乌尔黄鼠主嗅球的嗅小球层、僧帽细胞层和颗粒细胞层的c-Fos-ir神经元密度显著低于夏季（7月）和秋季（10月）,且冬季外网织层的c-Fos-ir神经元密度显著低于夏季和秋季,说明达乌尔黄鼠在冬季和春季的嗅觉神经活动较弱,呈现出对冬眠的生理性适应。这些结果丰富了动物犁鼻器和副嗅球的形态学资料,并有助于理解冬眠动物嗅觉系统对季节变化和冬眠的适应。     

Social development of bonnet macaques from six months to three years of age: A longitudinal study

Observations of age-sex class associations of three young female and five young male bonnet macaques born in the spring, 1975, were taken semiannually over three years beginning in the fall, 1975. Analysis reveals several patterns: (1) both males and females show continuous decline in association with age mates; (2) solitary time of females peaks at 1.5 years after which they begin to associate with adult females; (3) solitary time of males peaks at 2.5 years after which they associate predominantly with sub-adult males; (4) both males and females showed higher association with juveniles of the same sex than of opposite sex; and (5) both males and females showed annual cycles of association with some age-sex classes. These results are best understood with reference to the natural breeding cycle of the animals and the different life histories of male and female macaques in the wild.     

The relative lengths and weights of metacarpals and metatarsals in baboons (papio hamadryas)

The lengths and weights of metacarpals and metatarsals were measured in two collections of baboon skeletons-33 animals, all born and raised in the wild, and 60 animals, nearly all born and raised in captivity. For both length and weight, ratios were constructed for all possible pairings of the five bones in each individual hand and foot. The pattern of results was not identical for the two collections, but substantial sex differences existed in both collections for many of the ratios calculated. Nearly all of the large sex differences were in the direction of the length or weight ratio being smaller for males than for females. For the length ratios showing the largest sex differences, those differences were larger for the right hand than for the left, and larger for the left foot than for the right, but this pattern was less evident for the weight ratios. Some length ratios for human fingers show sex differences of the sort seen in the metacarpals and metatarsals of these baboons, and the human differences in relative length exist early in life. The implication is that the marked sex difference in androgen exposure during prenatal development may effect the relative size of the individual bones of the extremities in male and female humans and baboons. The relative sizes of the bones of the hand and foot may provide helpful supplemental information on the relations between species, thus making the study of hand and foot bones in other primates and mammals worthwhile.     

Lower birth weight of offspring born after self-poisoning of parent.

Birth weight was evaluated in 777 and 217 livebirths, respectively, of index females and female partners of index males born before and after severe self-poisoning with drugs. Birth weight was also evaluated in matched controls. Babies born to index females months or years after an attempted self-poisoning were found to have a lower birth weight than before this suicide attempt. The difference in the birth weight of subsequent pregnancies of index and control females was also highly significant. A similar trend was observed in livebirths of female partners of index males. However, the differences were not significant between previous and subsequent pregnancies and between index cases and matched controls.     

Effect of Different Ammonia Concentrations on Community Succession of Ammonia-oxidizing Microorganisms in a Simulated Paddy Soil Column

Ammonia oxidation is performed by both ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA). To explore the effect of ammonia concentration on the population dynamic changes of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms, we examined changes in the abundance and community composition of AOA and AOB in different layers. Most of the archaeal amoA sequences were Nitrosotalea-related and the proportion that Nitrosotalea cluster occupied decreased in the surface layer and increased in the deep layer during the cultivation process. Nitrosopumilus-related sequences were only detected in the deep layer in the first stage and disappeared later. Both phylogenetic and quantitative analysis showed that there were increased Nitrosomonas-related sequences appeared in the surface layer where the ammonia concentration was the highest. Both AOA and AOB OTU numbers in different layers decreased under selective pressure and then recovered. The potential nitrification rates were 25.06 μg·N·L(-1)·g(-1) dry soil·h(-1) in the mid layer which was higher than the other two layers. In general, obvious population dynamic changes were found for both AOA and AOB under the selective pressure of exogenous ammonia and the changes were different in three layers of the soil column.     

Sexual selection is not the origin of long necks in giraffes

The evolutionary origin of the long neck of giraffes is enigmatic. One theory (the 'sexual selection' theory) is that their shape evolved because males use their necks and heads to achieve sexual dominance. Support for this theory would be that males invest more in neck and head growth than do females. We have investigated this hypothesis in 17 male and 21 female giraffes with body masses ranging from juvenile to mature animals, by measuring head mass, neck mass, neck and leg length and the neck length to leg length ratio. We found no significant differences in any of these dimensions between males and females of the same mass, although mature males, whose body mass is significantly (50%) greater than that of mature females, do have significantly heavier (but not longer) necks and heavier heads than mature females. We conclude that morphological differences between males and females are minimal, that differences that do exist can be accounted for by the larger final mass of males and that sexual selection is not the origin of a long neck in giraffes.     

Teeth emergence in wild olive baboons in Kenya and formulation of a dental schedule for aging wild baboon populations

Teeth emergence schedules are presented from analysis of 95 wild olive baboons Papio anubis (age range 2–120 months) and compared to recently published results for wild and captive yellow baboons (P. cynocephalus; Phillips-Conroy and Jolly: American Journal of Primatology 15:17–29, 1988). Age at emergence of M1 (20.5 months males, 19.5 months females), I1 (32.5 and 33.5 months) and I2 (40.0 and 39 months) of olive baboons was earlier than in the wild yellow baboons and similar to captive yellow baboons. However, the later emerging teeth were delayed considerably relative to the captive animals and were similar in age of emergence to those of wild yellow baboons. Considerable variation in age of emergence occurred in the later emerging teeth especially among males. Regression analysis of dental scores with age demonstrated differences between olive baboons and captive yellow baboons but not between olive baboons and wild yellow baboons. Combined data on dental scores for wild yellow, olive, and hamadryas baboons provide schedules of AGE (months) = {SCORE – 11.79} ÷ 0.4405 and AGE (months) = {SCORE – 11.24} ÷ 0.4797 for males and females, respectively, which may be used for aging wild baboons. Full permanent dentition in wild baboons is predicted to occur over 1 year later than in captive animals.