Association of BDNF gene polymorphism with bipolar disorders in Han Chinese population

Recent data suggest that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an essential role in neuronal plasticity and etiology of bipolar disorders (BPD). However, results from different studies have been inconsistent. In present study, 342 patients who met DSM‐IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition) criteria for bipolar disorders type I (BPD‐I) or type II (BPD‐II) and 386 matched health controls were enrolled, and TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assays (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) were applied to detect the functional polymorphism rs6265 (Val66Met) of BDNF gene. Treatment response to lithium and valproate was retrospectively determined. The association between Val66Met polymorphism and BPD, treatment response to mood stabilizers, was estimated. The genotype and allele distribution of Val66Met polymorphism between BPD patients and control subjects showed significant difference (genotype: χ² = 6.18, df = 2, P = 0.046; allele: χ² = 5.01, df = 1, P = 0.025) with Met allele as risk factor for disease susceptibility (OR = 0.79, 95%CI as 0.64–0.97). The post hoc analysis interestingly showed that Met allele had opposite effect on the treatment response for BPD‐I and BPD‐II separately. For BPD‐I patients, the response score in Val/Val group was significantly lower than that in Met allele carriers (t = ?2.27, df = 144, P = 0.025); for BPD‐II patients, the response score in Val/Val group was significantly higher than that in Met allele carriers (t = 2.33, df = 26, P = 0.028). Although these results should be interpreted with caution because of the limited sample for Val/Val genotype in BPD‐II patients (N = 5), these findings strengthen the hypothesis that BDNF pathway gets involved in the etiology and pharmacology of BPD and suggest the differences between BPD‐I and BPD‐II.     

Markers of physiological stress in juvenile bonobos (Pan paniscus): Are enamel hypoplasia,skeletal development and tooth size interrelated?

A reduction in enamel thickness due to disrupted amelogenesis is referred to as enamel hypoplasia (EH). Linear EH in permanent teeth is a widely accepted marker of systemic physiological stress. An enigmatic, nonlinear form of EH commonly manifest in great ape and human deciduous canines (dc) is known as localized hypoplasia of primary canines (LHPC). The etiology of LHPC and what it signifies—localized traumatic or systemic physiological stress—remains unclear. This report presents frequency data on LHPC, hypostotic cranial traits, and tooth size in a sample of juvenile bonobos, then tests hypotheses of intertrait association that improve knowledge of the etiology and meaning of LHPC. The fenestration hypothesis is tested using hypostotic cranial traits as a proxy for membrane bone ossification, and the relationship between tooth size, LHPC, and hypostosis is investigated. Macroscopic observations of EH, hypostotic traits, and measurements of buccolingual tooth size were conducted according to established standards. LHPC was found in 51.2% of bonobos (n = 86) and in 26% of dc teeth (n = 269). Hypostotic traits were observed in 55.2% of bonobos (n = 96). A test of the association between LHPC and hypostosis yielded nonsignificant results (χ² = 2.935; P = 0.0867). Primary canines were larger in specimens with LHPC than in unaffected specimens (paired samples t test; udc, P = 0.011; ldc, P = 0.018), a result consistent with the fenestration hypothesis of LHPC pathogenesis. Hypostosis was not associated with differences in tooth size (P > 0.05). LHPC may be an indirect indicator of physiological stress, resulting from large, buccally displaced primary canines. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Effects of temperature on the growth and microstructure formation of cuttlebone from cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effects of three temperatures (20°C, 27°C, and 31°C) on the physiological performance (survival and growth) and cuttlebone micromorphological features (chamber number, chamber height and lamellae number) of cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis. We examined gross morphological characteristics of the internal calcareous cuttlebone to determine whether lamellar matrix was impacted by temperature. Juvenile survival was significantly affected by temperature (χ²?=?54.580, df?=?2, P?<?0.001). Cuttlebone weight, length and width were also positively correlated with temperature. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that a single chamber structure consists of septa, lamellae and pillars. At 20°C the chamber number of 89.0?±?10.8 was significantly higher than at 27°C with 44.8?±?3.6 or 31°C with 47.5?±?4.3 (Kruskal–Wallis [KW], χ^2?=?26.391, df?=?2, P?=?0.0001), whilst chamber height was lower at 20°C (KW χ^2?=?27.842, df?=?2, P?=?0.0001). Moreover, lamellae number varied among the treatments (KW χ^2?=?22.411, df?=?2, P?=?0.0002). Lamellae numbers at 20°C, 27°C and 31°C were 3–6, 6–9 and 5–8, respectively. The results indicated that the intrinsic lamellar matrix structure was significantly affected by temperature and that this effect may be used in cuttlebone growth studies.     

Paracoccidioidomycosis in wild monkeys from Paraná State, Brazil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection in wild New World monkeys (Cebus sp. and Alouatta caraya). A total of 93 animals (Cebus sp., n = 68 and Alouatta caraya, n = 25) were captured in the Paraná River basin, Paraná State, Brazil and the serum samples were analyzed by ELISA and immunodiffusion using P. brasiliensis gp43 and exoantigen as antigens, respectively. The seropositivity observed by ELISA was 44.1% and 60% for Cebus sp. and A. caraya, respectively, while by immunodiffusion test Cebus sp. showed positivity of 2.9% only. No significant difference was observed in relation to age and sex. This is the first report of paracoccidioidomycosis in wild capuchin monkeys and in wild-black and golden-howler monkeys. The high positivity to P. brasiliensis infection in both species evaluated in our study and the positivity by immunodiffusion test in Cebus sp. suggest that natural disease may be occurring in wild monkeys living in paracoccidioidomycosis endemic areas.     

Linear enamel hypoplasia in gibbons (Hylobates lar carpenteri)

This study describes the expression of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH), a sensitive dental indicator of physiological stress, in Thailand gibbons (Hylobates lar carpenteri). Previous studies of enamel hypoplasia in hominoids have focused on great apes, with little attention given to the expression of this stress indicator in gibbons. In that gibbons differ from both monkeys and great apes in numerous life history features, LEH expression in gibbons might be expected to show significant differences from both. In this study, 92 gibbon specimens from two sites in Thailand were compared with several samples of monkeys and great apes in their expression of LEH. The intertooth distribution of LEH in gibbons was compared to that of chimpanzees and rhesus monkeys. Gibbon populations from both sites exhibit LEH frequencies intermediate between those of the monkey samples, in which LEH prevalence is usually low, and those of the great ape samples, in which LEH prevalence is high. Gibbons differ significantly from monkeys, but not great apes, in the number of individuals whose teeth record multiple stress events. Multiple episodes of stress are rarely recorded in the teeth of monkeys, while multiple stress events occur with higher frequency in gibbons and great apes. Taxonomic variation in the duration of crown formation, the prominence and spacing of perikymata on dental crowns, life history features, and/or experience of physiological stress may explain these patterns. The intertooth distribution of LEH in gibbons is, for different reasons, unlike that of either chimpanzees or rhesus monkeys. The mandibular canines of gibbons have significantly more LEH than any of their other teeth. Aspects of crown morphology, perikymata prominence/spacing, enamel thickness, and crown formation spans are potential causes of taxonomic variation in the intertooth distribution of LEH.     

Effect of tetanus toxoid inoculation on mortality in the Cayo Santiago macaque population

Tetanus was a major cause of mortality in the free-ranging population of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) on Cayo Santiago. From 1977 to 1984 the mean (±1 SD) annual total mortality rate (excluding neonatal deaths within 48 h postpartum, abortions, and stillbirths) was 6.39% ± .94%, and the mean annual tetanus mortality rate was 1.33% ± .45%. Tetanus deaths accounted for 19.5% of the total mortality in the colony. In 1985, all monkeys on the island, except infants and six adult monkeys, were given primary inoculations of tetanus toxoid. The following year, boosters were administered, and yearlings received primary inoculations. One fatal case of tetanus and one recovery from mild disease occurred in uninoculated adult monkeys in 1985, but no additional cases have been observed since. For 1985–1986 the mean annual total mortality rate was 3.69% ± .05%, and the mean annual tetanus mortality rate was .08% ± .08%. Thus, during the 2 years after inoculation against tetanus, the mean annual total mortality rate and the mean annual tetanus mortality rate declined by 42.2% and 94.0%, respectively, when compared to the 8-year period (1977–1984) prior to inoculation. These differences were significant [(χ² = 12.48; P < .005), (χ² = 16.94; P < .005)]. The elimination of tetanus infections through mass inoculation of the Cayo Santiago colony is expected to have a profound impact on the demography of the population by increasing the rate of population growth, by decreasing the differential rates of increase of the component social groups, and by changing the age distribution of the population.     

Aspects of health in prehistoric mainland Southeast Asia: Indicators of stress in response to the intensification of rice agriculture

Numerous bioarcheological investigations have suggested that as agriculture intensifies, levels of physiological stress and poor health increase. However, previous research in Southeast Asia suggests that a decline in health was not universal. This study aimed to provide the first investigation of human health during the intensification of rice agriculture in the large skeletal sample from the prehistoric site of Ban Non Wat, Northeast Thailand (1750–420 b.c .). Health was analysed using two indicators of childhood stress, the prevalence of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH), a measure of early childhood stress, and stature, as a measure of late childhood stress, were collated for 190 adults. Sex‐specific diachronic relationships between the prevalence of LEH and stature were explored. For both sexes, initially the prevalence of LEH was found to decrease and then increase over time. Stature remained constant over time for males, although for females stature increased initially, then decreased. Early childhood stress was not significantly correlated with stature in females (P = 0.185), but high levels of LEH were unexpectedly correlated with taller male stature (P = 0.017). Our findings suggest an initial improvement in health during agricultural intensification at this site, likely related to a reduction in physiological perturbations and maintenance of a nutritious diet during this time. The subsequent deterioration in health may reflect geomorphologically and archaeologically indicated variation in environmental conditions and consequential sociocultural changes. We suggest that the sex‐differences in the relationship between stature and LEH may relate to the timing of stress and/or catch‐up growth. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:484–495, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Decadal changes in mean annual rainfall drive long‐term changes in bush‐encroached southern African savannas

Bush encroachment can have profound effects on the ability of savanna ecosystems to provide goods and services to society. It is therefore crucial to understand the key drivers of bush encroachment in savannas. In this study, we test whether decadal changes in mean annual rainfall significantly explain changes in the dominant patch size as well as the density of bush patches at six protected savanna sites located along a rainfall gradient in Zimbabwe. We first performed Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet transform within the intensity‐dominant scale theoretical framework on multi‐temporal aerial photographs and high spatial resolution satellite imagery to objectively detect changes in the dominant patch dimension as well as the intensity of bush cover over a 40‐year period at six test sites. We then pooled the data and performed regression analysis relating changes in dominant scale and intensity to decadal changes in mean annual rainfall in order to deduce a possible connection between dynamics of bush encroachment and rainfall variability. Our results indicate a significant nonlinear relationship between changes in the dominant scale and decadal changes in mean annual rainfall (R² = 0.85, F₁₃ = 35.96, P < 0.01). In contrast, the relationship between decadal changes in mean annual rainfall and changes in intensity was weak and not significant (R² = 0.29, F₁₃ = 2.69, P = 0.106). These results imply the importance of annual rainfall in explaining long‐term changes in the dominant scale of woody patches. However, mechanisms other than rainfall probably explain changes in the intensity of bush cover, and this needs further investigation.     

Mistletoe (Tapinanthus bangwensis Reichenbach) infestation of indigenous and non‐indigenous trees at Amani Nature Reserve,Tanzania

A survey of Tapinanthus bangwensis was carried out in a plantation in the botanic garden at Amani Nature Reserve, which forms part of the East Usambara Mountain, located in the north‐east of Tanzania. A total of 169 trees were examined on four transects of 100 × 50 m (5000 m²) each, located about 700 m apart. Three treatment transects were established in open woodland with a control transect in the closed canopy. Out of 101 trees (81 non‐indigenous and 20 indigenous) examined in the open canopy, T. bangwensis was present on 24; eighteen non‐indigenous and six indigenous. Of all the infested trees, a non‐indigenous species, silky oak (Grevillea robusta) was the most common (37.4%), followed by an indigenous species, mzindanguruwe (Blighia unijugata) with 16.6%. Chi‐squared tests showed that there was no significant difference in frequency of infestation between non‐indigenous and indigenous species (χ² = 0.715, P = 0.5826). t‐Testing showed that T. bangwensis preferred taller and larger trees (t = ? 3.930, P = 0.0002 and t = ? 2.416, P = 0.0175, respectively). No T. bangwensis was found on the 68 trees examined in the closed canopy.     

Increased BDNF levels and NTRK2 gene association suggest a disruption of BDNF/TrkB signaling in autism

The brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin fundamental for brain development and function, has previously been implicated in autism. In this study, the levels of BDNF in platelet‐rich plasma were compared between autistic and control children, and the role of two genetic factors that might regulate this neurotrophin and contribute to autism etiology, BDNF and NTRK2, was examined. We found that BDNF levels in autistic children (n = 146) were significantly higher (t = 6.82; P < 0.0001) than in control children (n = 50) and were positively correlated with platelet serotonin distribution (r = 0.22; P = 0.004). Heritability of BDNF was estimated at 30% and therefore candidate genes BDNF and NTRK2 were tested for association with BDNF level distribution in this sample, and with autism in 469 trio families. Genetic association analysis provided no evidence for BDNF or NTRK2 as major determinants of the abnormally increased BDNF levels in autistic children. A significant association with autism was uncovered for six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) [0.004 (Z_(1df) = 2.85) < P < 0.039 (Z_(1df) = 2.06)] and multiple haplotypes [5 × 10^?4(χ_(3df) = 17.77) < P < 0.042 (χ_(9df) = 17.450)] in the NTRK2 gene. These results do not withstand correction for multiple comparisons, however, reflect a trend toward association that supports a role of NTRK2 as a susceptibility factor for the disorder. Genetic variation in the BDNF gene had no impact on autism risk. By substantiating the previously observed increase in BDNF levels in autistic children in a larger patient set, and suggesting a genetic association between NTRK2 and autism, this study integrates evidence from multiple levels supporting the hypothesis that alterations in BDNF/tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) signaling contribute to an increased vulnerability to autism.     

Relationship between small-scale structural variability and simulated vegetation productivity across a regional moisture gradient in southern Africa

The observed variability in vegetation structure within landscapes was used as the basis for model estimates of the range of annual productivity of landscape patches at four sites along a moisture gradient in southern Africa ranging from 879 to 365 mm mean annual rainfall. Principal components of patch‐scale variability in leaf area, woody biomass and vertical leaf profiles were derived from intensive characterization of the small‐scale spatial structure of woody vegetation at each site. For each site, the mean and extremes of the principal component distribution parameterized an ecophysiology model of vegetation productivity. Vegetation was most heterogeneous at intermediate locations along the rainfall gradient. Variability in vegetation structure led to a range of annual productivity within one site (600 mm) that accounted for 68% of the total range in mean productivity across all sites. Patch‐scale estimates of tree productivity were found to be primarily correlated to annual rainfall (r²=0.66, P=0.001) and not woody leaf area (r²=0.01, P=0.75), while grass productivity was found to be related to values of woody leaf area (r²=0.77, P<0.001) and not annual rainfall (r²=0.11, P=0.29). This result indicates that life‐form interactions have a significant role in controlling vegetation productivity across the rainfall gradient. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of considering heterogeneity rather than mean structure when modeling productivity, particularly when considering dynamic vegetation structure, where differences between landscape patches may not be well represented in the mean structure.     

广西西南部熊猴对石山森林的利用

栖息地利用直接反映灵长类适应环境或应对环境变化所采取的行为策略,是了解和评估物种适应能力与进化潜力的重要途径.石山森林是一类特殊的生境,栖息在石山森林中的灵长类动物可能展现出独特的适应策略.为了解熊猴(Macaca assamensis)对石山森林的利用策略,2012年9月至2013年8月采用瞬时扫描法对广西弄岗国家级...     

Intra‐lake stable isotope ratio variation in selected fish species and their possible carbon sources in Lake Kyoga (Uganda): implications for aquatic food web studies

The stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) and carbon (δ¹³C) provide powerful tools for quantifying trophic relationships and carbon flow to consumers in food webs; however, the isotopic signatures of organisms vary within a lake. Assessment of carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures in a suite of plants, invertebrates, and fishes in Lake Kyoga, indicated significant variation between two sites for δ¹³C (paired t = 6.305; df = 14, P < 0.001 and δ¹⁵N paired t = 1.292; df = 14; P < 0.05). The fish fauna in Bukungu was generally more ¹³C enriched (mean δ¹³C = –16.37 ± 1.64‰) than in Iyingo (mean δ¹³C = –20.80 ± 2.41‰) but more δ¹⁵N depleted (mean δ¹⁵N = 5.57 ± 0.71‰) than in Iyingo (mean δ¹⁵N = 6.92 ± 0.83‰). The simultaneous shifts in phytoplankton and consumer signatures confirmed phytoplankton as the major source of carbon for the food chain leading to fish. Limited sampling coverage within lakes may affect lake wide stable isotope signatures, and the same error is transferred into trophic position estimation. Consideration of potential intra‐lake spatial variability in isotope ratios and size is essential in evaluating the spatial and trophic structure of fish assemblages.     

Salivary progesterone for the assessment of the ovarian function in the capuchin monkey (Cebus apella)

Salivary and plasma progesterone were measured in normally cycling (n=10) and castrated (n=4) femaleCebus monkeys (Cebus apella). During the follicular phase, progesterone levels in saliva ranged between 0.05 and 1.40 ng/ml and in the luteal phase they increased to between 0.22 and 4.70 ng/ml. These values represented on average 6.5 and 3.2% of those values measured in plasma, for the follicular and luteal phases, respectively. The regression analysis of the steroid concentrations in both fluids showed a highly significant correlation (r=0.8985,n=180,P<0.0001). Ovariectomized monkeys had consistently low salivary (0.37±0.02 ng/ml) and plasma (4.70±0.25 ng/ml) progesterone, showing a low, but significnat, correlation coefficient (r=0.2592,n=58,P=0.047). The ratio of plasma/salivary progesterone was significantly higher in the luteal phase (31.09±1.65) than in the follicular phase (23.06±2.26) and in castrated monkeys (16.00±1.38). The free fraction of progesterone constituted 5.3±0.2% of the total plasma progesterone during the follicular phase and 3.3±0.1% during the luteal phase. Ovariectomized monkeys showed a significantly higher percentage of free progesterone in plasma (7.7±0.1%). In contrast, free progesterone made up 64.4 and 70.9% of the total salivary progesterone for the follicular and luteal phases, respectively. The proportion of free progesterone in castrated animals was within the range observed in cycling animals. We suggest that the levels of progesterone in the saliva of capuchin monkey follow a pattern similar to that for plasma progesterone, reflecting the free steroid fraction. Thus, the measurement of such steroid in saliva may offer a valuable alternative to plasma determinations for the assessment of the ovarian function inCebus and probably other New World monkey species.     

Temperature effects on herbivory for an Indo-Pacific parrotfish in Panamá: implications for coral–algal competition

An assumption that a positive relationship exists between temperature and herbivorous fish grazing rates in coral reef environments has been used to explain seasonal and latitudinal trends in herbivore pressure. However, this assumption has not been systematically quantified over short-term (hours–days) changes in temperature, avoiding the confounding influences that can occur on seasonal or latitudinal scales. This study measured grazing activities of the pan Indo-Pacific parrotfish Scarus ghobban over short-term changes in temperature in upwelling and non-upwelling environments on the Pacific coast of Panamá. Individual juvenile fish were followed over naturally varying temperatures to determine their bite rates (bites min⁻¹), the foray frequency (forays min⁻¹) and bites per foray. In the upwelling environment, there was a significant positive correlation between temperature and bite rate (R _Partial = 0.63, P < 0.0001) and there was a marked fourfold change in bite rates over the range of temperatures encountered in the study (21.2–29.4°C). Bites per foray were also positively correlated to temperature (R _partial = 0.27, P < 0.0001), and tide height (R _partial = 0.26, P < 0.001), whilst foray frequency was positively correlated to temperature (R _partial = 0.63, P < 0.0001), but negatively to tide height (R _partial = −0.31, P < 0.0001). The effect of temperature on grazing rates may explain differences in herbivore pressure across different thermal environments and may be a factor contributing to algal biomass increases in low-temperature coral reef environments.     

Spatial patterns of foliar stable carbon isotope compositions of C<Subscript>3</Subscript> plant species in the Loess Plateau of China

The spatial pattern of foliar stable carbon isotope compositions (δ¹³C) of dominant species and their relationships with environmental factors in seven sites, Yangling, Yongshou, Tongchuan, Fuxian, Ansai, Mizhi and Shenmu, standing from south to north in the Loess Plateau of China, was studied. The results showed that in the 121 C₃ plant samples collected from the Loess Plateau, the foliar δ¹³C value ranged from −22.66‰ to −30.70‰, averaging −27.04‰. The foliar δ¹³C value varied significantly (P<0.01) among the seven sites, and the average δ¹³C value increased by about 1.69‰ from Yangling in the south to Shenmu in the north as climatic drought increased. There was a significant difference in foliar δ¹³C value among three life-forms categorized from all the plant samples in the Loess Plateau (P<0.001). The trees (−26.74‰) and shrubs (−26.68‰) had similar mean δ¹³C values, both significantly (P<0.05) higher than the mean δ¹³C value of herbages (−27.69‰). It was shown that the trees and shrubs had higher WUEs and employed more conservative water-use patterns to survive drier habitats in the Loess Plateau. Of all the C₃ species in the Loess Plateau, the foliar δ¹³C values were significantly and negatively correlated with the mean annual rainfall (P<0.001) and mean annual temperature (P<0.05), while being significantly and positively correlated with the latitude (P<0.001) and the annual solar radiation (P<0.01). In general, the foliar δ¹³C values increased as the latitude and solar radiation increased and the rainfall and temperature decreased. The annual rainfall as the main influencing factor could explain 13.3% of the spatial variations in foliar δ¹³C value. A 100 mm increment in annual rainfall would result in a decrease by 0.88‰ in foliar δ¹³C values.     

Association of the GABRD gene and childhood‐onset mood disorders

The chromosome 1p36 region was previously indicated as a locus for susceptibility to recurrent major depressive disorder based on a linkage study in a sample of 497 sib pairs. We investigated the gamma‐aminobutyric acid A (GABA_A) δ receptor subunit gene, GABRD, as a susceptibility gene to childhood‐onset mood disorders (COMD) because of substantial evidence implicating GABAergic dysfunction in mood disorders and the position of this gene near the 1p36 linkage region. Using a sample consisting of 645 Hungarian families with a child/adolescent proband diagnosed with a mood disorder with the onset of the first episode before age 15, we found some evidence for the association of two polymorphisms located within the gene, rs2376805 and rs2376803, as well as significant evidence for biased transmission of the haplotypes of these two markers (global χ² test for haplotypes = 12.746, 3 df, P = 0.0052). Furthermore, significant evidence of association was only observed in male subjects (n = 438) when the results were analyzed by sex (χ² = 9.000 1 df, P = 0.003 for rs2376805). This was in contrast with the previous linkage findings, as LOD scores exceeding 3 were only in female–female pairs in that study. These findings point to the GABRD gene as a susceptibility gene for COMD; however, this gene may not explain the previous linkage finding.     

Brief communication: linear enamel hypoplasia and the shift from irregular to regular provisioning in Cayo Santiago rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

This study investigates changes in the prevalence of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) before and after the shift from irregular to regular provisioning in the Cayo Santiago rhesus monkey population. Prior to 1956, monkeys on this island colony did not receive consistent provisions, and were reported to be in poor health (Rawlins and Kessler [1986] The Cayo Santiago Macaques; Albany: State University of New York Press). A regular provisioning program, instituted in August 1956, resulted in the improved health of individuals and the growth of the population (Rawlins and Kessler [1986] The Cayo Santiago Macaques; Albany: State University of New York Press). LEH, a developmental defect of enamel, is a sensitive indicator of systemic physiological stress (Goodman and Rose [1990] Yrbk. Phys. Anthropol. 33:59-110). It was therefore hypothesized that the prevalence of LEH would be higher in monkeys who were irregularly provisioned than in monkeys who experienced regular provisioning. To test this hypothesis, teeth were examined for LEH in a sample of 181 female rhesus monkeys. The results support the hypothesis: the mean number of defects was statistically significantly higher in the preprovisioned group than it was in the postprovisioned one. When LEH prevalence was assessed using only defects occurring on antimeric pairs, the preprovisioned group again had a higher prevalence than the postprovisioned one, although the difference was not statistically significant, most likely because of the reduced sample size. The results of this study indicate that changes in LEH prevalence, at least in this population of rhesus monkeys, are associated with changes in nutritional status.     

Living together: behavior and welfare in single and mixed species groups of capuchin (Cebus apella) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)

There are potential advantages of housing primates in mixed species exhibits for both the visiting public and the primates themselves. If the primates naturally associate in the wild, it may be more educational and enjoyable for the public to view. Increases in social complexity and stimulation may be enriching for the primates. However, mixed species exhibits might also create welfare problems such as stress from interspecific aggression. We present data on the behavior of single and mixed species groups of capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) housed at the Living Links to Human Evolution Research Centre in the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Edinburgh Zoo. These species associate in the wild, gaining foraging benefits and decreased predation. But Cebus are also predators themselves with potential risks for the smaller Saimiri. To study their living together we took scan samples at ≥15 min intervals on single (n=109) and mixed species groups (n=152), and all occurrences of intraspecific aggression and interspecific interactions were recorded. We found no evidence of chronic stress and Saimiri actively chose to associate with Cebus. On 79% of scans, the two species simultaneously occupied the same part of their enclosure. No vertical displacement was observed. Interspecific interactions were common (>2.5/hr), and equally divided among mildly aggressive, neutral, and affiliative interactions such as play. Only one aggressive interaction involved physical contact and was non‐injurious. Aggressive interactions were mostly (65%) displacements and vocal exchanges, initiated almost equally by Cebus and Saimiri. Modifications to the enclosure were successful in reducing these mildly aggressive interactions with affiliative interactions increasing in frequency and diversity. Our data suggest that in carefully designed, large enclosures, naturally associating monkeys are able to live harmoniously and are enriched by each other. Am. J. Primatol. 72:33–47, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.