Census,habitat preference,and polyspecific associations of six monkeys in the Lomako Forest,Zaire

This paper reports preliminary data on a number of poorly known cercopithecids inhabiting the Lomako Forest, Zaire. Data include those on density, biomass, group size, the relationship between group type (mono vs. polyspecific) and forest type (mixed primary, secondary, monodominant primary, and swamp), and vertical stratification. Species examined are Colobus angolensis, Cercocebus aterrimus, Cercopithecus wolfi, Cercopithecus ascanius, Cercopithecus neglectus, and Allenopithecus nigroviridis. The density and biomass for the Lomako Forest anthropoids (excluding Cercopithecus neglectus and A. nigroviridis) are 165 ind/km² and 1,034 kg/km², respectively. Cercopithecus wolfi and Colobus angolensis are found in group sizes similar to those reported from other sites while Cercopithecus ascanius, Cercocebus aterrimus, and A. nigroviridis display group sizes unique to the Lomako. While Colobus angolensis, Cercocebus aterrimus, Cercopithecus ascanius and Cercopithecus wolfi were found, to varying extents, in all four forest types, Cercopithecus neglectus and A. nigroviridis inhabited only swamp forest. The different species sort out along vertical continua both within and between the four forest types. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Characterization of a novel vpu-harboring simian immunodeficiency virus from a Dent's Mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona denti)

We report the identification of a new simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), designated SIVden, in a naturally infected Dent's Mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona denti), which was kept as pet in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. SIVden is genetically distinct from the previously characterized primate lentiviruses. Analysis of the full-length genomic sequence revealed the presence of a vpu open reading frame. This gene is also found in the virus lineage of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and chimpanzee immunodeficiency virus (SIVcpz) and was recently described in viruses isolated from Cercopithecus nictitans, Cercopithecus mona, and Cercopithecus cephus. The SIVden vpu coding region is shorter than the HIV-1/SIVcpz and the SIVgsn, SIVmon, and SIVmus counterparts. Unlike Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii viruses (SIVcpzPts) and Cercopithecus monkey viruses (SIVgsn, SIVmon, and SIVmus), the SIVden Vpu contains the characteristic DSGXES motif which was shown to be involved in Vpu-mediated CD4 and IkappaBalpha proteolysis in HIV-1 infected cells. Although it harbors a vpu gene, SIVden is phylogenetically closer to SIVdeb isolated from De Brazza's monkeys (Cercopithecus neglectus), which lacks a vpu gene, than to Cercopithecus monkey viruses, which harbor a vpu sequence.     

Comparative analysis of the fragments of highly repeated DNA of Homo, Pan, Macaca and Cercopithecus

In the present paper the restriction patterns of Homo, Pan troglodytes, Macaca fascicularis and Cercopithecus aethiops, obtained by digestion with Eco RI endonuclease, were compared. All these species showed two common bands at 0.3 and 0.6 Kb. In this region another band at 0.5 Kb was present in Macaca fascicularis and Cercopithecus aethiops. Furthermore Macaca fascicularis, Cercopithecus aethiops and Pan troglodytes showed a series of bands not present in humans. The distance matrix shows a strong similarity between Homo and Pan and a decreasing similarity with Macaca fascicularis and Cercopithecus aethiops. No intraspecific variability was observed.     

The development of hepatic granulomas in 20 Krad irradiated Schistosoma mansoni cercaria vaccinated grivet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops aethiops)

The absence of appropriate animal models is a challenge for those designing anti-schistosome vaccines. In order to observe the development of hepatic granulomata, 20 Krad irradiated cercaria vaccinated grivet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops aethiops) were experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Most human clinical manifestations of schistosomiasis were noted in the infected monkeys. Intraperitonial immunization with 20 Krad irradiated cercaria resulted in a relatively less granulomatous reaction and lower egg mass (P<0.05) than in the controls. The mean total adult worms and egg production was also lower in the vaccinated group. This study underlines the significant role of irradiated cercariae vaccination on the establishment of female adults and consequent reduction of pathology in the grivet Cercopithecus aethiops aethiops.     

Ecological Partitioning of Cercopithecus campbelli, C. petaurista, and C. diana in the Taï Forest

I determined the degree of ecological partitioning among 3 species of guenons (Cercopithecus campbelli, C. petaurista, and C. diana) in the Taï Forest, Côte d’Ivoire and used the partitioning data to understand competitive relationships among them. Over a 13-mo period, I measured ecological partitioning in terms of food and canopy stratum use for 2 habituated groups of each guenon species and also collected data on food availability. I found that the study species diverged primarily in food items consumed and vertical strata occupied. Cercopithecus petaurista ate much more foliage than the other species did and used mostly the middle strata (5–20 m). Cercopithecus diana ate primarily fruit and used mostly the upper strata (>20 m). Cercopithecus campbelli ate mostly fruit together with large amounts of animal matter and primarily occupied the ground and low strata (<5 m). Of the specific pairs, the diets of Cercopithecus campbelli/C. diana overlapped the most overall and decreased during the season of low fruit availability. Cercopithecus campbelli and C. diana age/sex classes also overlapped more than the age/sex classes of other species pairs. The results suggest that the potential for competition was more intense for Cercopithecus campbelli/C.diana relations than it is for other species pairs. I compare my results from Taï with those from other primate and guenon communities and demonstrate that dietary overlaps and seasonal dietary divergence are lower in Taï than in most other guenon communities.     

Reproductive and hormonal patterns in the African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops).

The results of breeding Cercopithecus aethiops under time-mated laboratory conditions and analysis of total estrogen, progesterone, and LH concentrations in plasma during the menstrual cycle and plasma estrogen and progesterone concentrations during pregnancy indicate that this species is a suitable alternative for the rhesus monkey as a model for investigations of reproductive function in man.     

AluI and HaeIII restriction enzyme banding patterns of Macaca fuscata and Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus chromosomes

AluI and HaeIII restriction endonuclease banding patterns were analyzed in Macaca fuscata and Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus chromosomes. AluI produced C-negative bands in both species of monkeys, while HaeIII induced the appearance of C-negative bands on Macaca chromosomes and of simultaneous G + C bands on Cercopithecus metaphases.     

Cercopithecine Y-chromosome data provide a test of competing morphological evolutionary hypotheses

We report here the results of the first molecular evolutionary analysis to include members of all 10 extant genera of cercopithecine monkeys. A total of 44 individuals were surveyed for approximately 2.2 kb of the testis-specific protein, Y-chromosome (TSPY). The TSPY sequences were subjected to parsimony analyses in PAUP 4.0, followed by tree comparison tests designed to assess existing morphological hypotheses of cercopithecine evolution. The results of these tests show that the present Y-chromosome dataset unambiguously supports: (1) monophyly of Macaca, (2) polyphyly of the mangabeys (Cercocebus and Lophocebus), (3) paraphyly of Cercopithecus, and (4) inclusion of Allenopithecus and Miopithecus in the tribe Cercopithecini. A number of unexpected Y-chromosome relationships are also discussed, including a pattern suggesting resurrection of the genus Chlorocebus for the guenons currently identified as Erythrocebus patas, Cercopithecus aethiops, and Cercopithecus lhoesti. Relative rate tests reveal significant difference in the TSPY substitution rate across numerous lineages in the tribe Cercopithecini. Because the rate differences follow no obvious phylogenetic pattern, "local" molecular clocks were not employed and divergence dates were not estimated for this tribe. In contrast, similar analysis of the Papionini reveals rate heterogeneity between a single pair of taxonomic groups: Macaca vs. the "African papionins." Divergence dates were therefore calculated for the tribe by calibrating TSPY clocks specific to each of these two clades.     

Significance of glycosidases and phosphatases in Cercopithecus and Macaca cells

When selected ratios of different glycosidases and phosphatases from primary monkey kidney cells or from monkey kidney cell lines are presented graphically, characteristic patterns do evolve. Three different subtypes of Vero cells show similar glycosidase patterns. The Vero subtypes tested show glycosidase patterns that are closely similar to those of primary cells of Cercopithecus aethiops. Glycosidase patterns of BS-C-1 and CV-1 cells are less similar to those of primary Cercopithecus cells than are those of Vero cells. Primary kidney cells from Macaca cynomolgus show significantly different glycosidase patterns compared with those of different Cercopithecus cells. The distinct glycosidase patterns can be used to classify the tested cell lines in relation to each other.     

Identification of a new simian immunodeficiency virus lineage with a vpu gene present among different cercopithecus monkeys (C. mona, C. cephus, and C. nictitans) from Cameroon

During a large serosurvey of wild-caught primates from Cameroon, we found 2 mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona) out of 8 and 47 mustached monkeys (Cercopithecus cephus) out of 302 with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) cross-reactive antibodies. In this report, we describe the full-length genome sequences of two novel SIVs, designated SIVmon-99CMCML1 and SIVmus-01CM1085, isolated from one mona (CML1) and one mustached (1085) monkey, respectively. Interestingly, these viruses displayed the same genetic organization (i.e., presence of a vpu homologue) as members of the SIVcpz-HIV type 1 lineage and SIVgsn isolated from greater spot-nosed monkeys (Cercopithecus nictitans). Phylogenetic analyses of SIVmon and SIVmus revealed that these viruses were genetically distinct from other known primate lentiviruses but were more closely related to SIVgsn all across their genomes, thus forming a monophyletic lineage within the primate lentivirus family, which we designated the SIVgsn lineage. Interestingly, mona, mustached, and greater spot-nosed monkeys are phylogenetically related species belonging to three different groups of the genus Cercopithecus, the C. mona, C. cephus, and Cercopithecus mitis groups, respectively. The presence of new viruses closely related to SIVgsn in two other species reinforces the hypothesis that a recombination event between ancestral SIVs from the family Cercopithecinae is the origin of the present SIVcpz that is widespread among the chimpanzee population.     

The comparative gross anatomy of the arteria cerebri media in the green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) and olive monkey (Papio anubis)

The gross anatomy of the arteria cerebri media inCercopithecus aethiops andPapio anubis was studied and compared statistically. Several features appeared to be species characteristic. InCercopithecus aethiops the first branch, r. striati, arose directly from the main artery, however, inPapio anubis, r. striati arose from r. orbitales the second major branch. InCercopithecus aethiops, r. orbitales and r. frontales arose by a common trunk from the a. cerebri media and inPapio anubis these two branches had separate origins. In both species r. temporales arose from two trunks, on either side of the a. sulcus centralis. Each trunk of r. temporales divided into two or three branches inCercopithecus aethiops and three or four branches inPapio anubis. The last portion of the a. cerebri media, r. parietales, divided into two trunks inCercopithecus aethiops and continued as a single trunk inPapio anubis. In the former, r. parietales sent one or two branches to the sulcus intraparietalis and sulcus lunatus while sending one branch to the gyrus postcentralis. In the latter, r. parietales sent two or three branches to the sulcus intraparietalis, three or four to the sulcus lunatus and one to the gyrus postcentralis.     

Plasma and red blood cell total phospholipid fatty acid status of nonpregnant female Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) on a high carbohydrate maintenance diet

Nonhuman primates are of interest as models of human physiology to study the effect of multiple pregnancies on birth weight. Reference plasma and red blood cell (RBC) total phospholipids fatty acids were established in nonpregnant breeding female Vervet monkeys. Twenty-three clinically healthy nonpregnant Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops), contained in a controlled closed environment and consuming a high carbohydrate diet (68 E%) that contained 20 E% fat and 12 E% protein were sampled for blood during a cross-sectional study. A low intake of ω3 fatty acids was reflected by a high ω6/ω3 ratio (66:1) of the diet. Inverse relations were seen between plasma and RBC total phospholipid fatty acids, 18:2ω6, 20:3ω6, and 20:4ω6, which suggested selective incorporation in membranes. Low levels of 20:5ω3 and 22:6ω3 of plasma and RBC total phospholipids render Vervet monkeys as ideal subjects to study the effect of ω3 fatty acid supplementation on pregnancy outcomes. Tichelaar HY, van Jaarsveld PJ, Smuts CM, Marais M, Mdhluli MC, Kruger M, Benadé AJS. Plasma and red blood cell total phospholipid fatty acid status of nonpregnant female Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) on a high carbohydrate maintenance diet. J Med Primatol 1998; 27:240–243. © Munksgaard, Copenhagen     

Seed-eating by West African cercopithecines, with reference to the possible evolution of bilophodont molars

Data on tooth use in eating fruits and seeds were collected on 12 West African monkeys representing five species of cercopithecines, Cercopithecus aethiops, Cercopithecus campbelli, Cercocebus atys, Erythrocebus patas, and Papio papio. Field observations and information in the published literature were used to select fruits for captive feeding trials. A total of over 27,000 tests were conducted to determine the preferences of the monkeys for 78 fruits. Data were collected on the selection of fruit parts, as well as tooth use, in eating 88 fruit species. All five monkey species had remarkably similar fruit part preferences. Seeds were eaten in 86% of the tested fruits and represent the fruit part most frequently eaten by all the tested monkeys. With few exceptions, molars were used to puncture and crush the seeds. It is suggested that the development of bilophodont molars might be an adaptation by Old World monkeys to seed predation. Given their large size relative to other arboreal frugivores, seed predation could provide a dietary niche for Old World monkeys.     

Gastrointestinal parasites of the guenons of western Uganda

From January 1998 to December 2002, we collected 293 fecal samples from free-ranging individuals of the 4 guenon species of western Uganda, i.e., redtail guenons (Cercopithecus ascanius), blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis), l'hoesti monkeys (Cercopithecus lhoesti), and vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops), to quantify the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites. Helminth eggs, larvae, and protozoan cysts were isolated by sodium nitrate flotation and fecal sedimentation. Helminth parasites were identified, and infection prevalence was determined for all 4 guenon species. Coprocultures facilitated identification of strongylate nematodes. For the most common species, the redtail guenon, we documented prevalence of protozoan parasites and examined the effect of season and host sex on infection prevalence. Six nematodes (Strongyloidesfulleborni, Oesophagostomum sp., unidentified strongyle, Trichuris sp., Streptopharagus sp., and Enterobius sp.), 1 cestode (Bertiella sp.), 1 trematode (Dicrocoeliidae), and 5 protozoans (Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, lodameoba butschlii, Giardia lamblia, and Chilomastix mesnili) were detected. Seasonal patterns of infection were not readily apparent for any parasite species infecting redtail guenons. Although prevalence never differed between male and female guenons, only adult females were infected with Oesophagostomum sp. and S. fulleborni.     

Differences Between Vervets (Cercopithecus aethiops) and Patas Monkeys (Erythrocebus patas) in Agonistic Interactions Between Adult Females

We examined agonistic interactions between adult females in wild, unprovisioned patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas) and vervets (Cercopithecus aethiops). The dominance hierarchy of patas is far less clear than that of vervets. Patas had fewer interactions per dyad, fewer dyads with interactions, and a high percentage (18%) of reversals in which lower-ranking females won in agonistic interactions with higher-ranking females. Although the rank ordering of the kinds of interactions patas and vervets displayed is similar, with avoidance being the most frequently observed agonistic response to approaches by other females, patas were chased and supplanted more often than vervets were. The resources over which females were supplanted also differ between species. Supplants over food comprise smaller proportion of total supplants patas than for vervets. Patas appear to feed on less usurpable foods than vervets. We conclude that (1) Erythrocebus and Cercopithecus spp., except C. aethiops, should not be categorized with other Cercopithecinae, and C. aethiops should not be categorized with other Cercopithecus spp. and Erythrocebus, in discussions and analyses of relationships between females within groups and (2) ecological conditions, i.e., usurpability of foods, can override phylogenetic history as the selective pressure determining the nature of female competitive relationships within groups.     

A new species of guenon (genus Cercopithecus) from Gabon

A new species of African forest monkey has been discovered in the lowland tropical rainforest of central Gabon. The previously undescribed monkey is a guenon, a member of the widespread African genus Cercopithecus. and belongs to the Cercopithecus lhoesti superspecies, whose two previously recognized species live in widely separated populations, C. preussi in Cameroon, and C. lhoesti east of the Zaire basin. The new guenon occurs as a small isolated population separated by 600 km and 1600 km, respectively, from the other two. Distinctive external characteristics are its white throat-ruff, extensive chestnut-orange saddle, and yellow-orange tip to the tail. Chromosomal analysis confirms its close phylogenetic affinities with C. preussi and C. Ihoesti, but reveals a unique karyotype. The guenon is described as a new species, Cercopithecus solatus, the sun-tailed monkey.     

Behaviour of the Talapoin monkey (Miopithecus talapoin) studied in groups, in the laboratory

The behaviour of the Talapoin monkey has been studied both qualitatively and quantitatively by observing small captive groups kept in the laboratory. The behavioural repertoire is compared with that of other Old World Catarrhines. Talapoins show greater similarities to Cercopithecus monkeys than to Erythrocebus, Macaca, Papio or Cercocebus . However, there are differences in behaviour between talapoins and Cercopithecus monkeys, which lend additional support to the view that the former should be placed in the separate genus Miopithecus .     

Interspecific interaction of the primate groups in Kibale Forest,Uganda

An ecological survey on the influence of interspecific interaction of the primates upon the distribution of their group ranges was carried out in 100 ha of the isolated forest northern outskirts of Kibale Forest in western Uganda, Africa. The study period of 105 days was from the 12th of November, 1970 to the 24th of February, 1971, including a preliminary survey of about two months. The subjects of this study are five species of primates, i.e., black and white colobus (Colobus polykomos), red colobus (Colobus badius), red tailed monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius), blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis), and vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops), which inhabited the study area. The red colobus group is thought to be the most influential of the five in the interspecific interaction.     

New simian immunodeficiency virus infecting De Brazza's monkeys (Cercopithecus neglectus): evidence for a cercopithecus monkey virus clade

Nearly complete sequences of simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) infecting 18 different nonhuman primate species in sub-Saharan Africa have now been reported; yet, our understanding of the origins, evolutionary history, and geographic distribution of these viruses still remains fragmentary. Here, we report the molecular characterization of a lentivirus (SIVdeb) naturally infecting De Brazza's monkeys (Cercopithecus neglectus). Complete SIVdeb genomes (9,158 and 9227 bp in length) were amplified from uncultured blood mononuclear cell DNA of two wild-caught De Brazza's monkeys from Cameroon. In addition, partial pol sequences (650 bp) were amplified from four offspring of De Brazza's monkeys originally caught in the wild in Uganda. Full-length (9068 bp) and partial pol (650 bp) SIVsyk sequences were also amplified from Sykes's monkeys (Cercopithecus albogularis) from Kenya. Analysis of these sequences identified a new SIV clade (SIVdeb), which differed from previously characterized SIVs at 40 to 50% of sites in Pol protein sequences. The viruses most closely related to SIVdeb were SIVsyk and members of the SIVgsn/SIVmus/SIVmon group of viruses infecting greater spot-nosed monkeys (Cercopithecus nictitans), mustached monkeys (Cercopithecus cephus), and mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona), respectively. In phylogenetic trees of concatenated protein sequences, SIVdeb, SIVsyk, and SIVgsn/SIVmus/SIVmon clustered together, and this relationship was highly significant in all major coding regions. Members of this virus group also shared the same number of cysteine residues in their extracellular envelope glycoprotein and a high-affinity AIP1 binding site (YPD/SL) in their p6 Gag protein, as well as a unique transactivation response element in their viral long terminal repeat; however, SIVdeb and SIVsyk, unlike SIVgsn, SIVmon, and SIVmus, did not encode a vpu gene. These data indicate that De Brazza's monkeys are naturally infected with SIVdeb, that this infection is prevalent in different areas of the species' habitat, and that geographically diverse SIVdeb strains cluster in a single virus group. The consistent clustering of SIVdeb with SIVsyk and the SIVmon/SIVmus/SIVgsn group also suggests that these viruses have evolved from a common ancestor that likely infected a Cercopithecus host in the distant past. The vpu gene appears to have been acquired by a subset of these Cercopithecus viruses after the divergence of SIVdeb and SIVsyk.