Two new species of night monkeys,genus Aotus (Cebidae,platyrrhini): A preliminary report on Aotus taxonomy

The nine allopatric species of Aotus recognized represent two natural groups distinguished by karyotype, color, and pelage patterns. Correlated with these group characters are reported differences in serum proteins and degrees of susceptibility or immunity to experimental infection with malarial parasites. The primitive gray-neck species group of Aotus contains A. brumbacki (new species), A. lemurinus (with subspecies lemurinus and griseimembra), A. trivirgatus, and A. vociferans. The derived red-neck group contains A. nancymai (new species), A. miconax. A. infulatus, and A. azarae (with subspecies azarae and boliviensis). Only the two new species are described but a key to the species and subspecies gives the diagnostic characters of each. The gray-neck group occurs almost entirely north of the Amazon, the red-neck group almost entirely south. The distributional exceptions are enclave populations resulting from river bend cutoffs. Formation of an enclave population of A. nancymai is discussed and available information on the biology of this species is reported.     

Two new karyotypes in the Peruvian owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus)

The observation of remarkable karyotypic variation in owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus) stimulated us to study the chromosomal evolution of this New World genus. As an extension of this project, we examined the chromosome complement of a “phenotype-B” Aotus population from Peru. In addition to karyotype V(2n = 46), two new karyotypes with diploid numbers of 47 and 48 were identified. A G-band comparison of these karyotypes indicated that the chromosome number polymorphism in these Peruvian owl monkeys resulted from a single fusion or fission event involving a single metacentric and two acrocentric chromosome pairs. This mechanism is also known to be responsible for the chromosome number polymorphism in at least two other populations of phenotype B Aotus, one from Colombia and the other from Panama.     

Cytogenetic studies of Aotus from Eastern Amazonia. Y/Autosome rearrangement

Twenty-one specimens of Aotus were captured on both sides of the Tocantins river when the hydroelectric reservoir of Tucuruí, Brazil, was filled. The males had a diploid number of 49 chromosomes, and the females had 50. The observed difference is a consequence of the fusion of the Y chromosome with an autosome. The karyotype is similar to that of the Bolivian Aotus (A. azarae boliviensis). It differs, however, in the G- and C-banding patterns of the chromosome resulting from the Y/autosome fusion. The nucleolar organizing region is located on the secondary constriction of a pair of submetacentric chromosomes. Considerations are presented on the classification of A. infulatus as a separate species.     

Chromosome evolution in the owl monkey,Aotus

We have reported nine distinct karyotypes for Aotus, of four pelagic phenotypes, and suggest that this single species has undergone extensive subspeciation. We reconstruct the mechanism of chromosomal evolution and propose a hypothesis about the events of subspeciation in Aotus. We speculate that isolated groups of ancestral individuals living in several confined areas have separately accumulated a fusion or inversion pair as a result of inbreeding. A subsequent reassociation of descendants from these individuals led to the formation of offspring with mixtures of fusion or inversion pairs in their complements. They, in turn, radiated into different ecological niches accompanied by adaptive genetic changes and eventually gave rise to the present forms of Aotus distinguishable by their karyotypes, but not easily recognizable by ordinary taxonomic criteria.     

Serum and urine biochemical diversity among wild-caught and colony-born Aotus nancymae

Serum and urine analytes were compared between adult wild-caught and adult colony-born owl monkeys (Aotus nancymae), to determine if normative clinical pathology data were similar. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were noted in serum protein, glucose, sodium, urine calcium, calcium clearance, and fractional clearance of calcium between the two groups. The results suggest that reference data for feral owl monkeys is not completely applicable to colony-born animals, however, the differences are too small to be of clinical significance.     

Karyotypic evolution in Aotus

Great karyotypic diversity exists within the platyrrhine genus Aotus. Primarily by comparing banded karyograms of different forms of Aotus, the pattern of karyotypic evolution can be assessed. Out-group comparisons are used to establish primitive and derived states of particular chromosomes, and a parsimonious cladogram is constructed. Other karyotypic changes are then positioned at appropriate nodes of the cladogram. The resulting phylogenetic hypothesis is entirely self-consistent, is in accord with out-group comparisons, does not invoke hybridization between ancestral forms, and, importantly, indicates a single origin for each rearrangement of euchromatic segments. Moreover, it is consistent with the hypothesis, derived from pelage studies, that the more southerly Aotus taxa constitute a holophyletic group. The reconstructed ancestral karyotype had a diploid number of 54. There has been little loss of euchromatic material during Aotus evolution.     

Chromosomal diversity in the genus Arvicanthis (Rodentia, Muridae) from East Africa: a taxonomic and phylogenetic evaluation

In this paper we discuss the contribution of cytogenetics to the systematics of Arvicanthis in East Africa, by reviewing all the known chromosomal cytotypes of the genus in the area. We also provide G‐ and C‐banding comparisons for two recently described karyotypes, provisionally named ANI‐5 (2n = 56, NFa = 62) and ANI‐6 (2n = 60, NFa = 72). This, therefore, brings the total number of known cytotypes in this area to 10. Five of these correspond to the species recognized by the latest rodent checklist, i.e. A. nairobae (2n = 62, NFa = 78), A. neumanni (2n = 52–53, NFa = 62), A. blicki (2n = 48, NFa = 62), A. abyssinicus (2n = 62, NFa = 64) and A. niloticus (2n = 62, NFa = 60–62). The taxonomic status of the remaining five cytotypes (A. cf. somalicus, 2n = 62 NFa = 62–63; ANI‐5, 2n = 56, NFa = 62; ANI‐6/6a 2n = 60, NFa = 72/76; ANI‐7, 2n = 56, NFa = 78; and ANI‐8, 2n = 44, NF = 72) is discussed. Finally, we reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among all the known karyotypes on the basis of banding data available for the genus in Africa and show the occurrence of two main clades, each characterized by different types of chromosomal rearrangements. The times of the cladogenetic events, inferred by a molecular clock, indicate that karyotype evolution has accomplished almost all the dichotomic events from the end of the Miocene to the present day. The discovery of a large chromosomal differentiation between populations showing low genetic distances and intrapopulation chromosomal polymorphism suggests that the process of chromosomal differentiation in Arvicanthis is still ongoing and may possibly be responsible for speciation.     

Tuberculosis-like lesions arising from the use of Freund's complete adjuvant in an owl monkey (Aotus sp.)

An apparently normal, non-tuberculin-reacting, splenectomized owl monkey presented tuberculosis-like lesions of the lung at necropsy. Histological and bacteriological examination failed to demonstrate the presence of acid-fast organisms. Retrospective inquiry showed the animal had been inoculated using complete Freund's adjuvant during a malaria vaccine trial. Lesions observed were compatible with lipid embolism of the adjuvant in the lungs.     

Restasis® for the treatment of 'dry eye' in Aotus nancymaae

Background  This case report describes the treatment of three male owl monkeys ( Aotus nancymaae ) diagnosed with chronic dry eye with a topical cyclosporine product, Restasis^®, approved for use in humans. These owl monkeys had ocular disease resulting from procedures performed at a biotechnology company. They were moved to the Center for Neotropical Primate Research and Resources at University of South Alabama to be incorporated into the breeding colony.
Materials and methods  Schirmer tear testing was performed initially and during the course of treatment to monitor efficacy of twice daily administered Restasis^®. The goals of treatment were to reduce pain and/or distress and if possible to quantitatively increase tear production.
Results and discussion  All animals had improvements in conjunctival inflammation and had an increase in tear production.     

Surgical bone marrow aspiration in Aotus lemurinus griseimembra

Aotus lemurinus griseimembra are highly susceptible to infection by human malaria parasites and reproduce some of its clinical manifestations, including anemia. We developed a new surgical technique to obtain bone marrow samples from Aotus by surgical aspiration of the femur. First, we determined that the femur offered advantages over other bones, primarily due to lower fracture vulnerability. We tested a surgical technique using 20 G IV catheters in formaldehyde-preserved animals, then conducted the procedure on 27 live animals. This technique provided easy, quick surgical access to adequate volumes of bone marrow and was safe for almost all animals: only one died; another developed nervous impairment of the lower limb. Adequate cell samples were obtained in all animals and allowed cytological studies. This procedure offers a useful tool for bone marrow research in Aotus and helps overcome current limitations of such research in human where these studies are limited by ethical and technical issues.     

Puberty in the male owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus griseimembra): A study of physical and hormonal development

In the male owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus),the onset of puberty occurs at between 211 and 337 days (median, 313) as indicated by longitudinal measurements of plasma testosterone in six subjects. Larger rises in plasma testosterone were observed between 300 and 400 days. Pubertal increases in body weight and testicular volume are not pronounced in this species. Young animals first entered the weight range for adult males (800–1080 g) when they were between 370 and 520 days of age (median, 472). Marked growth of the subcaudal scentmarking gland occurred during puberty. The first signs of development of this gland (stiffening and discoloration of overlying hairs) were noted between 282 and 370 days (median 316), and it had attained an adult structure by 336–442 days (median, 397). These changes were androgen dependent as indicated by the fact that treatment of a prepubertal male with testosterone stimulated the subcaudal gland to develop prematurely. Hormonal and physical changes during puberty were the same whether males remained with their parents or were caged alone. There was no indication that puberty was retarded in males which had remained in their natal groups.     

中国云南鳞毛蕨属(鳞毛蕨科)13种植物的染色体数目

报道了中国云南产鳞毛蕨科Dryopteridaceae鳞毛蕨属Dryopteris Adanson 13种植物的染色体数目。其中4个种：多雄拉鳞毛蕨D．alpestris（2n=82）、哈巴鳞毛蕨D．habaensis（2n=82）、脉纹鳞毛蕨D．lachoongensis（2n=82）和永自鳞毛蕨D．yungtzeensis（2n=82）的染色体数目为首次报道;无融合三倍体的川西鳞毛蕨Dryopteris rosthornii、无融合四倍体的大羽鳞毛蕨D．wallichiana以及无融合二倍体的栗柄鳞毛蕨D．yoroii为3个新发现的细胞类型。细胞学研究结果支持高山鳞毛蕨组sect．CaespitosaeS．G Lu应该为鳞毛蕨属内一个独立的组;中国喜马拉雅地区的鳞毛蕨属植物中存在着大量的无融合二倍体细胞类型。对蕨类植物中同一植株产生不同倍性孢子的现象进行了讨论。     

Characteristics and use of sleeping sites in Aotus (Cebidae: Primates) in the Amazon lowlands of Peru

In the Amazon lowlands of Peru, Aotus nancymai and A. vociferans were observed to use four different types of sleeping sites: (1) holes in the trunks and branches of dry or senescent trees; (2) concavities in polyaxial branching nodes of trees protected by dense entanglements of creepers, climbing plants, vines, and masses of diverse epiphytes; (3) complex sites among masses of epiphytes, climbers, and vines; and (4) simple sites among thickets and dense foliage. Each type is described. There was competition and sharing of sleeping holes between Aotus and other nocturnal arboreal mammals.     

Comparative Studies on Dihydrofolate Reductases from Plasmodium falciparum and Aotus trivirgatus*

SYNOPSIS Dihydrofolate reductase (E.C. 1.5.1.3) from Plasmodium falciparum and from its host, the owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus). were partially purified and characterized. The molecular weight of the parasite enzyme was estimated to be over 10 times as high as that of the host enzyme. The host enzyme had 2 pH optima whereas the parasite enzyme only one. The activity of the host enzyme was greatly stimulated by KCI and urea, while that of the parasite enzyme was inhibited at high concentrations of such chaotropic agents. Km of the parasite enzyme was significantly higher than that of the host enzyme. The parasite enzyme had much lower K_i for pyrimethamine than the host enzyme. Dihydrofolate reductases isolated from pyrimethamine-resistant and pyrimethaminesensitive strains of P. falciparum were found to be similar.     

Erythrocyte glyoxalase I polymorphism in the owl monkey,Aotus

Three erythrocyte glyoxalase I phenotypes were observed in a sample of 235 karyotypically defined New World owl monkeys, Aotus. The selective distribution of glyoxalase I allele (GLO¹, GLO²) is related to the karyotype of each animal. Owl monkeys with a karyotype VI had an equal distribution of GLO¹ and GLO² genes in the population. Aotus with karyotype II, III, IV, or V had, exclusively, the GLO² allele (expressed as the fast electrophoretic phenotype), in contrast with monkeys with karyotype I or VII, which had only the GLO¹ allele (expressed as the slow electrophoretic phenotype).