Silvered Leaf Monkey Research Articles

Epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma in a Javan silvered leaf monkey (Trachypithecus auratus auratus) and attempted treatment with masitinib

AbstractA 14‐month‐old, female Javan silvered leaf monkey (Trachypithecus auratus auratus) was presented for inguinal circular, erythematous, crusty dermatitis. The animal was bright and alert, and appetite was good. Lesions progressed to the whole abdomen and became ulcerative. Skin biopsies revealed a cutaneous lymphoma and no metastases were detected on computed tomography scan. Anti‐tumoral treatment was attempted with masitinib (50 mg orally every 48 hours), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In the absence of improvement of the lesions, as treatment was well tolerated, masitinib dose was increased to 50 mg orally once a day. Effect on the lesions was minimal, clinical condition worsened and the animal died 9 months after initial presentation. Postmortem examination and histopathology confirmed multicentric epitheliotropic CD3+ cutaneous lymphoma. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of cutaneous lymphoma in a langur, and the first attempt of treatment with masitinib in a non‐human primate species. Despite poor response, masitinib treatment appeared safe.

Association of antimicrobial resistance and gut microbiota composition in human and non-human primates at an urban ecotourism site

BackgroundThe rise of nature-based ecotourism in the past decade has introduced unprecedented challenges in managing the increasing interaction between humans and animals. The potential transmission of antibiotic resistant microbes between humans and non-human primate populations is a concern due to their genetic similarity. Malaysia is well known for hotspots of wildlife diversity where non-human primates like monkeys and orangutans have become popular tourist attractions. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus species, and other Enterobacteriaceae in the faeces of human (HS) and two non-human primates (NHP) in Malaysia, the Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis, MF) and Silvered leaf monkey (Trachypithecus cristatus, TC). In addition, the faecal bacterial composition was profiled to evaluate the potential association between antibiotic resistant profiles and composition of gut microbiota.ResultsWe tested the isolated bacteria using a selection of antibiotics. The results showed that both the number of antibiotic resistant strains and resistance level were higher in humans than NHPs. Overall, the composition of gut microbiome and pattern of antibiotic resistance showed that there was higher similarity between MF and TC, the two NHPs, than with HS. In addition, samples with higher levels of antibiotic resistance showed lower bacterial richness. Homo sapiens had the lowest bacterial diversity and yet it had higher abundance of Bacteroides. In contrast, NHPs displayed higher bacterial richness and greater prevalence of Firmicutes such as Ruminococceae and Oscillospira.ConclusionHigher antibiotic susceptibility in NHPs is likely related to low direct exposure to antibiotics. The lack of resistance may also suggest limited antimicrobial resistance transmission between humans and NHP. Nonetheless, continued monitoring over a long period will help mitigate the risk of anthropozoonosis and zooanthroponosis.

First detailed reconstruction of the karyotype of Trachypithecus cristatus (Mammalia: Cercopithecidae).

BackgroundThe chromosomal homologies of human (Homo sapiens = HSA) and silvered leaf monkey (Trachypithecus cristatus = TCR) have been previously studied by classical chromosome staining and by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) applying chromosome-specific DNA probes of all human chromosomes in the 1980s and 1990s, respectively.ResultsHowever, as the resolution of these techniques is limited we used multicolor banding (MCB) at an ~250-band level, and other selected human DNA probes to establish a detailed chromosomal map of TCR. Therefore it was possible to precisely determine evolutionary conserved breakpoints, orientation of segments and distribution of specific regions in TCR compared to HSA. Overall, 69 evolutionary conserved breakpoints including chromosomal segments, which failed to be resolved in previous reports, were exactly identified and characterized.ConclusionsThis work also represents the first molecular cytogenetic one characterizing a multiple sex chromosome system with a male karyotype 44,XY1Y2. The obtained results are compared to other available data for old world monkeys and drawbacks in hominoid evolution are discussed.

The Indochinese Silvered Leaf MonkeyTrachypithecus germaini(Sensu lato) in Lao PDR

The Indochinese silvered leaf monkey Trachypithecus germaini (perhaps comprising two species, T. germaini [sensu stricto] and T. margarita) is probably the rarest and most threatened monkey in Lao PDR. It has received less conservation-related attention in the country, however, than have the primates endemic to Indochina east of the Mekong because until recently it was generally considered conspetific with the widespread T. cristatus of Sundaic South-east Asia. All Lao records with firm locality details are from south of 16°23′N (in Dong Phou Vieng National Protected Area) and in lowland forests (up to 550 m above sea level), with many from near waterbodies. The predominant habitat seems to be semi-evergreen forest as patches and strips within a mosaic of more deciduous forest types, especially semi-evergreen forest in riparian and other waterside situations. Occupied semi-evergreen forest seems generally at the dry end of its spectrum, with a high deciduous tree component (this is the predominant type in interior plains-level Indochina), where this forest type grades to what some call mixed deciduous forest. Few if any records come from the interior of extensive unbroken semi-evergreen forest, or from highly-deciduous mixed-deciduous forest. Occupied areas include narrow stands flanking watercourses in deciduous dipterocarp forest, but there are no records from the more extensive deciduous dipterocarp forest matrix itself. Vague reports suggest occurrence up to 1,200 m, but given the high survey effort in such habitat, the species is at best very rare above the lowlands. Lao villager reports, and comparison with its status in similar habitats in adjacent Cambodia, suggest steep declines in Lao PDR. Suitable habitat (as profiled above) naturally covers only a small part of the southern Lao landscape, is among Lao PDR's most threatened habitats, and bears heavy hunting. Hence the great rarity of Indochinese silvered leaf monkeys compared with sympatric monkeys and gibbons, which inhabit the more extensive hill forests. There are records of the Indochinese silvered leaf monkey from only one Lao site since 2001. Although appropriate surveys during the 2000s have been limited, the species may now be extremely rare in the country and should join other, better publicized, bird and mammal species of these southern lowland plains landscapes as in need of urgent conservation action.

Social behaviours of captive <i>Trachypithecus cristatus</i> (Mammalia: Cercopithecidae) in the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka

Trachypithecus cristatus (Silvered Leaf Monkey or Silvered Lutung) occur on the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and nearby islands and live mainly in uni-male, female-bonded groups. This study presents preliminary data on social behaviours for Silvered Leaf Monkey in captivity. Behavioural observations were conducted on one group (one adult male, four adult females, three juvenile males and four juvenile females). Data were collected on 30 of the 60 calendar days at the National Zoological Gardens, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka. All behaviours including agonistic and dominance-related, locomotion, feeding and infant-related behaviours were included in the analysis. Unlike in wild populations, we found a clear dominance hierarchy among females. Key words : Trachypithecus cristatus ; Captive Behaviour; Dominance; Hierarchy; Langur; Sri Lanka. DOI: 10.4038/tapro.v1i1.2781 TAPROBANICA, April, 2009. Vol. 01, No. 01: pp. 66-73

Patterns of reproduction in Malayan silvered leaf monkeys at the Bronx Zoo

Within phylogenetic limits reproductive characteristics of a given species may vary between populations in response to ecological and social factors. For instance, in environments where high quality nutrition is readily available, the onset and speed of reproduction are often accelerated. Other influencing factors might be maternal experience or the sex of the infant. Here we present data on reproductive characteristics for the silvered leaf monkey (Trachypithecus cristatus), a medium-sized Asian colobine housed at the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo as a one-male group. To place the species into an appropriate phylogenetic context, we limited our comparison to other colobine species. Demographic data span 21.4 years (October 1985 to March 2007) and derive from 30 adult females (128.0 female years). Detailed behavioral data stem from a 2.2 years study (November 2002 to January 2005; 734 days, 4,225 hr). As in other Asian colobines, receptive periods were short (mean=4.3 days, n=68). This is expected for one-male groups where receptivity likely indicates, rather than conceals, ovulation. Gestation length was estimated based on a change in the pattern of sexual behavior (mean=194.6 days, n=7). It fell within the range reported for the taxon. Births occurred year round, at an early age (mean=2.9 years, n=8), at short intervals (mean=14.9 months, n=59) in combination with a short lactation (mean 12.1 months, n=9) likely due to the nearly unlimited availability of nutrition in this zoo setting. Primiparous females tended to have a longer first interbirth interval but infant survival rates were similar to multipara possibly due to the absence of predators. Maternal investment was independent of the infant's sex and birth sex ratio was even. Our results emphasize that when interpreted with caution, zoo populations yield realistic reproductive characteristics that can help fill the gap in our knowledge about colobine life history.

Comparative cytogenetics of human chromosome 3q21.3 reveals a hot spot for ectopic recombination in hominoid evolution

Fluorescence in situ hybridization mapping of fully integrated human BAC clones to primate chromosomes, combined with precise breakpoint localization by PCR analysis of flow-sorted chromosomes, was used to analyze the evolutionary rearrangements of the human 3q21.3-syntenic region in orangutan, siamang gibbon, and silvered-leaf monkey. Three independent evolutionary breakpoints were localized within a 230-kb segment contained in BACs RP11-93K22 and RP11-77P16. Approximately 200 kb of the human 3q21.3 sequence was not present on the homologous orangutan, siamang, and Old World monkey chromosomes, suggesting a genomic DNA insertion into the breakpoint region in the lineage leading to humans and African great apes. The breakpoints in the orangutan and siamang genomes were narrowed down to 12- and 20-kb DNA segments, respectively, which are enriched with endogenous retrovirus long terminal repeats and other repetitive elements. The inserted DNA segment represents part of an ancestral duplication. Paralogous sequence blocks were found at human 3q21, approximately 4 Mb proximal to the evolutionary breakpoint cluster region; at human 3p12.3, which contains an independent orangutan-specific breakpoint; and at the subtelomeric and pericentromeric regions of multiple human and orangutan chromosomes. The evolutionary breakpoint regions between human chromosome 3 and orangutan 2 as well their paralogous segments in the human genome coincide with breaks of chromosomal synteny in the mouse, rat, and/or chicken genomes. Collectively our data reveal reuse of the same short recombinogenic DNA segments in primate and vertebrate evolution, supporting a nonrandom breakage model of genome evolution.

Fluorescene in situ hybridization establishes homology between human and silvered leaf monkey chromosomes, reveals reciprocal translocations between chromosomes homologous to human Y/5, 1/9, and 6/16, and delineates an X1X2Y1Y2/X1X1X2X2 sex-chromosome system.

We employed in situ hybridization of chromosome-specific DNA probes ("chromosome painting") of all human chromosomes to establish homologies between the human and the silvered lead monkey karyotypes (Presbytis cristata 2n = 44). The 24 human paints gave 30 signals on the haploid female chromosome set and 34 signals on the haploid male chromosome set. This difference is due to a reciprocal translocation between the Y and an autosome homologous to human chromosome 5. This Y/autosome reciprocal translocation which is unique among catarrhine primates has produced a X1X2Y1Y2/X1X1X2X2 sex-chromosome system. Although most human syntenic groups have been maintained in the silvered leaf monkey chromosomes homologous to human chromosomes 14 and 15, 21 and 22 have experienced Robertsonian fusions. Further, the multiple FISH signals provided by libraries to human chromosomes 1/9, 6/16 indicate that these chromosomes have been split be reciprocal translocations. G-binding analysis shows three different forms of chromosome 1 (X2) which differ by a complex series of inversions in the 10 individuals karyotype. Comparisons with the hybridization patterns in hylobatids (gibbons and siamang) demonstrate that resemblances in chromosomal morphology and banding previously taken to indicate a special phylogenetic relationship between gibbons and colobines are due to convergence.

The pathology of lymphoreticular and genital tissues of silvered leaf monkeys ( Presbytis cristata) experimentally infected with Wuchereria bancrofti

The discovery of the silvered leaf monkey, Presbytis cristata, as a suitable experimental host for the human filarial parasite, Wuchereria bancrofti, opened the door for major advances in our understanding of the disease caused by this parasite. To study the pathogenesis of bancroftian filariasis in this model, 15 adult P. cristata which had been experimentally infected with 250 infective third-stage larvae of the parasite were examined. After inoculation with larvae, the monkeys were maintained under study for periods of 2 to 3 years, at which time all had achieved patent infections. At necropsy, Wuchereria-induced macroscopic lesions were not detected in experimentally infected monkeys. Microscopic findings included nematodiasis, microfilariasis, lymphadenitis, lymphangiectasis, perilymphangitis, splenitis, orchitis, periorchitis, epididymitis and funiculitis. Sections of normal adult worms were most often found in lymphatic vessels near lymph nodes, or in the lymphatics of the male genital system. These worms caused microfiliariasis in some regional lymph nodes. Inflammatory responses to filariae were most prominent in proximity to degenerated and dead worms, whereas intact, normal appearing adult worms elicited only minimal cellular response.

Breeding of the Silvered Leaf Monkey, Presbytis cristata, in Malaya

Breeding of the Silvered Leaf Monkey, Presbytis cristata, in Malaya

The suitability of silvered leaf monkey (Presbytis cristatus) kidney cell cultures for testing poliovirus vaccines.

SummaryKidney cell cultures prepared from eight silvered leaf (Presbytis cristatus) monkeys had a sensitivity to the three poliovirus types, either untreated or formaldehyde‐treated, at least equal to that observed for cynomolgus kidney cell cultures under similar conditions. Simian foamy virus or other agents which would produce a cytopathic effect were not detected in the silvered leaf cell cultures.