Free-ranging Nonhuman Primates Research Articles

Fur rubbing: Use of medicinal plants by capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus)

There is a growing body of evidence documenting animals' selective use of medicinal plants found in their environments. During research conducted in Costa Rica, capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus) have been observed topically applying material of at least four plant genera (Citrus, Clematis, Piper, and Sloanea). The first three of these plants contain secondary compounds which are known to have anti-insect and/or medicinal benefits and the ethnographic record shows that indigenous peoples throughout the New World use these plants for similar purposes and in similar ways. It is suggested that free-ranging nonhuman primates use plants topically for their potential medicinal purposes. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Fur rubbing: Use of medicinal plants by capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus)

There is a growing body of evidence documenting animals' selective use of medicinal plants found in their environments. During research conducted in Costa Rica, capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus) have been observed topically applying material of at least four plant genera (Citrus, Clematis, Piper, and Sloanea). The first three of these plants contain secondary compounds which are known to have anti-insect and/or medicinal benefits and the ethnographic record shows that indigenous peoples throughout the New World use these plants for similar purposes and in similar ways. It is suggested that free-ranging nonhuman primates use plants topically for their potential medicinal purposes. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Measuring female mate choice in Cayo Santiago rhesus macaques

Few studies of female mate choice have been carried out among free-ranging non-human primates. To qualify as female mate choice, behaviour by oestrous females must predict the occurrence or rate of potentially fertile copulations, in comparisons between heterosexual dyads. In this paper, data are presented to show three behaviour patterns that meet this criterion in free-ranging rhesus macaques, Macaca mulatta, at the island colony of Cayo Santiago: (1) selective cooperation with male sexual solicitations (hip-grasps), (2) restoration of proximity following attacks on females by intruding males, and (3) proximity maintenance (in one of two study groups). Oestrous females maintained proximity preferentially to lower ranking males, but this appeared to reflect differences in the tactics necessary to achieve copulations with males of different dominance ranks, rather than preference for lower ranking mates. Male-oestrous female dyads showed consistency over two consecutive mating seasons in which partner was responsible for proximity maintenance. Male dominance rank was positively correlated with copulatory rate with fertile females. However, in one study group, males to whom oestrous females maintained proximity more actively had higher copulatory rates with fertile females, independent of the effects of male dominance rank.

Encounters between domestic dogs and free-ranging non-human primates

Records of responses of free-ranging primates to domestic dogs are summarized and evaluated. Although dogs are often considered as potential predators of primates, members of only 7 species of monkey are reported as actually having been killed by dogs. Most injurious or fatal attacks by dogs on primates occur near human settlements in Asia. It is suggested that neither domestic dogs nor wild canids are important predators of primates. Since dogs are often used by hunters, primates probably have a conditioned aversion to them, which is expressed through alarm responses, fleeing, and sometimes aggression.

Postreproductive survival and behavior in a free-ranging female mangabey.

The survival and behavior of a postreproductive free-ranging female Cercocebus albigena is documented; her patterns of grooming, aggression, and other social and spatial relationships with members of her group are described and compared with those of other, cycling, females. The phenomenon of female postreproductive survival in free-ranging nonhuman primates is briefly reviewed.