The Use of Primate “Actors” in Feature Films 1990–2013

This study examined the use of nonhuman primate “actors” (PAs) in promotional trailers for wide-release, English-language CARA-rated films released between 1990 and 2013. A comprehensive list of films featuring PAs was constructed using internet databases and snowball sampling. Changes in the frequency of their use over time were examined. Trailers for each of the films on the list were screened for inclusion of PA footage. Those including PAs were content-analyzed for a list of items including taxa/taxon used; presence or absence of bared-teeth display (BTD, often an expression of fear or submission in nonhuman primates); and presence of clothing, human companion, anthropogenic environment, and/or “human” actions. No statistically significant increase or decrease in the frequency of PA use was detected over the time period examined, although comparison to an earlier study that included pre-1990 films suggests that the use of orangutans (Pongo spp.) has diminished in frequency. The present study found that the most commonly used taxa between 1990 and 2013 were chimpanzees (Pan spp.), capuchins (Cebus and Sapajus spp.), and Cercopithecines (Macaca and Papio spp.). PAs were shown “grinning” (displaying BTDs) for 19% of the time they were onscreen; they were clothed 50% of the time; performing “human” actions 58% of the time; alongside human companions 87% of the time and/or in anthropogenic environments 87% of the time. Apart from concern that the practice compromises the welfare of individual primates, there is some indication that the use of PAs may be indirectly harmful as well; results of several recent studies suggest that their presentation in certain contexts fosters false public understanding about the conservation status of primates and their suitability as human companions or pets. The low but steady frequency with which PAs were used and presented in various anthropocentric contexts suggests that, throughout the time period studied, the film industry remained either uninformed or unconcerned about the potential harmful effects that their choices could have on animal welfare and conservation.     

饲养条件下非人灵长类的营养需求

非人灵长类的营养学研究越来越受到国际和国内社会的关注。我国是世界上实验灵长类动物的最大产出国。进一步了解和发展非人灵长类营养学将有利于提高我国非人灵长类的饲养水平和饲料资源的利用效率,推动整体产业的发展。为此本文介绍了近年来国际上非人灵长类营养学方面的研究进展和国家饲料配比的相关规定,阐述了各营养成分的作用、缺乏症状和改善案例。旨在丰富相关方面的科学信息,增加对非人灵长类营养
需求的理解。     

Network cohesion,group size and neocortex size in female-bonded Old World primates

Most primates are intensely social and spend a large amount of time servicing social relationships. In this study, we use social network analysis to examine the relationship between primate group size, total brain size, neocortex ratio and several social network metrics concerned with network cohesion. Using female grooming networks from a number of Old World monkey species, we found that neocortex size was a better predictor of network characteristics than endocranial volumes. We further found that when we controlled for group size, neocortex ratio was negatively correlated with network density, connectivity, relative clan size and proportional clan membership, while there was no effect of neocortex ratio on change in connectivity following the removal of the most central female in the network. Thus, in species with larger neocortex ratios, females generally live in more fragmented networks, belong to smaller grooming clans and are members of relatively fewer clans despite living in a closely bonded group. However, even though groups are more fragmented to begin with among species with larger neocortices, the removal of the most central individual does cause groups to fall apart, suggesting that social complexity may ultimately involve the management of highly fragmented social groups while at the same time maintaining overall social cohesion. These results emphasize a need for more detailed brain data on a wider sample of primate species.     

The psychology of primate cooperation and competition: a call for realigning research agendas

Cooperation and competition are two key components of social life. Current research agendas investigating the psychological underpinnings of competition and cooperation in non-human primates are misaligned. The majority of work on competition has been done in the context of theory of mind and deception, while work on cooperation has mostly focused on collaboration and helping. The current impression that theory of mind is not necessarily implicated in cooperative activities and that helping could not be an integral part of competition might therefore be rather misleading. Furthermore, theory of mind research has mainly focused on cognitive aspects like the type of stimuli controlling responses, the nature of representation and how those representations are acquired, while collaboration and helping have focused primarily on motivational aspects like prosociality, common goals and a sense of justice and other-regarding concerns. We present the current state of these two bodies of research paying special attention to how they have developed and diverged over the years. We propose potential directions to realign the research agendas to investigate the psychological underpinnings of cooperation and competition in primates and other animals.     

Endosomal transport of septin mRNA and protein indicates local translation on endosomes and is required for correct septin filamentation

Endosomes transport lipids and proteins over long distances by shuttling along microtubules. They also carry mRNAs on their surface, but the precise molecular function of this trafficking process is unknown. By live cell imaging of polarized fungal hyphae, we show microtubule-dependent transport of septin mRNA and encoded septin protein on the same shuttling endosomes. Consistent with the hypothesis that septin mRNA is translated on endosomes, the accumulation of septin protein on endosomes requires the recruitment of septin mRNA. Furthermore, ribosomal proteins co-localise with shuttling endosomes, but only if mRNA is present. Importantly, endosomal trafficking is essential for an efficient delivery of septin protein to filaments at growth poles, a process necessary to establish unipolar growth. Thus, we propose that local mRNA translation loads endosomes with septins for assembly and efficient delivery to septin filaments.     

25‐Hydroxy‐vitamin D levels among Callithrix penicillata primate species raised in captivity

Background Animals in captivity should receive adequate sunlight exposure for sufficient generation of vitamin D [25(OH)D]. In the present study, 25(OH)D serum levels of 84 Callithrix penicillata primates were evaluated. Objectives To determine 25(OH)D levels of those animals; to evaluate the influence of gender and period of sunlight exposure on their 25(OH)D levels. Methods Three groups were evaluated: group 1 (n = 29) on free sunlight exposure; group 2 (n = 34) on partial sunlight exposure; group 3 (n = 21) without sunlight exposure. Results The obtained 25(OH)D values were: group 1, 121.2 ± 33.3 ng/ml; group 2, 115.2 ± 32.2 ng/ml; group 3, 53.3 ± 10.4 ng/ml. Significant statistical differences were obtained between groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.001) and groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.001); no statistical difference was found between genders. Conclusion Direct sunlight exposure is essential for 25(OH)D sufficiency and it is proposed that the 25(OH)D normal range for captive Callithrix penicillata would be from 104.8 to 137.1 ng/ml (CI = 95%).