scholarly journals Rhesus monkeys show human-like changes in gaze following across the lifespan

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1830) ◽  
pp. 20160376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra G. Rosati ◽  
Alyssa M. Arre ◽  
Michael L. Platt ◽  
Laurie R. Santos
Keyword(s):  
Rhesus Monkeys ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Gaze Following ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Juvenile Period ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Human Social Behaviour ◽  
Human Primate ◽  
Human Specific

Gaze following, or co-orienting with others, is a foundational skill for human social behaviour. The emergence of this capacity scaffolds critical human-specific abilities such as theory of mind and language. Non-human primates also follow others' gaze, but less is known about how the cognitive mechanisms supporting this behaviour develop over the lifespan. Here we experimentally tested gaze following in 481 semi-free-ranging rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta ) ranging from infancy to old age. We found that monkeys began to follow gaze in infancy and this response peaked in the juvenile period—suggesting that younger monkeys were especially attuned to gaze information, like humans. After sexual maturity, monkeys exhibited human-like sex differences in gaze following, with adult females showing more gaze following than males. Finally, older monkeys showed reduced propensity to follow gaze, just as older humans do. In a second study ( n = 80), we confirmed that macaques exhibit similar baseline rates of looking upwards in a control condition, regardless of age. Our findings indicate that—despite important differences in human and non-human primate life-history characteristics and typical social experiences—monkeys undergo robust ontogenetic shifts in gaze following across early development, adulthood and ageing that are strikingly similar to those of humans.

scholarly journals Use of Introduction Enclosures to Integrate Multimale Cohorts into Groups of Female Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly L Bailey ◽  
Leigh Anna Young ◽  
Caroline E Long ◽  
Caren M Remillard ◽  
Shannon E Moss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rhesus Monkeys ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Breeding Groups ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Female Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Male Rhesus

Integrating animals into a new group is a challenge for both free-ranging and captive adult male rhesus monkeys (Macacamulatta), and for females in groups receiving new males. To ensure the genetic viability of the population, however, maletransfers must occur in both natural and captive settings. To facilitate the introduction of groups of adult males to adult females, we designed a new enclosure that is attached to the outdoor compound where females are housed. Here we describethe construction of 3 introduction enclosures, their use during 4 introductions of groups of adult males to adult females, abrief comparison of introduction success rates associated with the new introduction enclosures with those of our traditionalmale introduction method, and a critique by the various groups of staff members working with the new enclosures. Overall, the introduction enclosures benefitted both the macaques and the facility personnel and appear to be a useful enhancementto our process of integrating breeding groups.

scholarly journals Innate fear responses are reflected in the blood epigenome of rhesus macaques

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector Bravo-Rivera ◽  
Roy Lardenoije ◽  
Dimaris Merced ◽  
Adaris Mas-Rivera ◽  
James E. Ayala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Acoustic Startle ◽  
Bimodal Distribution ◽  
Individual Variations ◽  
Dna Methylation Profile ◽  
Fear And Anxiety ◽  
Core Symptoms ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Innate Fear ◽  
Human Primate

AbstractFear and anxiety are complex physiological states aimed at promoting adaptive behaviors. They are also core symptoms of many neuropsychiatric disorders; yet, our knowledge of the underlying biological correlates remains fragmented. Non-human primate models are critical for our understanding of mechanisms associated with complex higher-order behavioral phenotypes. Here we investigated individual variations in innate fear responses to a snake stimulus in free-ranging rhesus macaques and discovered an unusual bimodal distribution of fearful and fearless behavior, likely as a result of an environmental insult by a hurricane. In a translational approach, we discovered a DNA methylation profile associated with fear behavior in these monkeys. We also found evidence that this epigenetic signature is associated with innate fear responses in humans in the form of acoustic startle. Our data highlight the importance and translational utility of non-human primate models for neuropsychiatric research and provide a potential epigenetic signature of innate fear.

Functions of multiple play signals in free-ranging juvenile rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Behaviour ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (14) ◽  
pp. 1983-2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akie Yanagi ◽  
Carol M. Berman
Keyword(s):  
Macaca Mulatta ◽  
Rhesus Monkeys ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Single Species ◽  
General Function ◽  
Play Signals ◽  
To Come ◽  
Functionally Referential ◽  
Exclusive Or ◽  
Free Ranging

Some mammals, including some nonhuman primates, use multiple play signals during social play that convey the playful mood or intention of the signaler. However, why single species use multiple play signals has not been investigated. We recently identified seven such signals among free-ranging juvenile rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico, all of which predict the imminent occurrence of play. Here we ask whether the use of these multiple signals may have more precise or multiple functions. Specifically, we ask whether different play signals are associated with different (1) types of play to come, (2) intensities of play, (3) initiators of play and/or (4) distances at which the signal is given. Our results indicate that most signals were disproportionately associated with one or more aspects of play. For example, gamboling was associated with play that is initiated at a distance, crouch-and-stares were associated with chasing play and intense play, and leg-peeks were associated with play initiated by the receiver, as opposed to the signaler. These nonrandom associations suggest that play signals, most of which are conspicuous body signals, are not merely redundant variants of a single general function to transmit a playful mood. Rather they may be used more selectively in a variety of play contexts in which it may be beneficial to reinforce, clarify or emphasize the playful intention of the signaler. At the same time, most are not associated with particular contexts in a highly exclusive or simple manner. As such further research is needed to determine whether they are examples of functionally referential signaling.

scholarly journals Combination therapy protects macaques against advanced Marburg virus disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Cross ◽  
Zachary A. Bornholdt ◽  
Abhishek N. Prasad ◽  
Viktoriya Borisevich ◽  
Krystle N. Agans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Rhesus Monkeys ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Marburg Virus ◽  
Therapeutic Window ◽  
Post Inoculation ◽  
Primate Model ◽  
Lethal Infection ◽  
Human Primate

AbstractMonoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and remdesivir, a small-molecule antiviral, are promising monotherapies for many viruses, including members of the genera Marburgvirus and Ebolavirus (family Filoviridae), and more recently, SARS-CoV-2. One of the major challenges of acute viral infections is the treatment of advanced disease. Thus, extending the window of therapeutic intervention is critical. Here, we explore the benefit of combination therapy with a mAb and remdesivir in a non-human primate model of Marburg virus (MARV) disease. While rhesus monkeys are protected against lethal infection when treatment with either a human mAb (MR186-YTE; 100%), or remdesivir (80%), is initiated 5 days post-inoculation (dpi) with MARV, no animals survive when either treatment is initiated alone beginning 6 dpi. However, by combining MR186-YTE with remdesivir beginning 6 dpi, significant protection (80%) is achieved, thereby extending the therapeutic window. These results suggest value in exploring combination therapy in patients presenting with advanced filovirus disease.

Intestinal Parasites of the Free‐Ranging Cayo Santiago Rhesus Monkeys ( Macaca mulatto )

1984 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt J. Kessler ◽  
Barbara Yarbrough ◽  
Richard G. Rawlins ◽  
John Berard
Keyword(s):  
Rhesus Monkeys ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Cayo Santiago ◽  
Macaca Mulatto ◽  
Free Ranging

scholarly journals Urinary suPAR: a non-invasive biomarker of infection and tissue inflammation for use in studies of large free-ranging mammals

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 191825 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Higham ◽  
Christiane Stahl-Hennig ◽  
Michael Heistermann
Keyword(s):  
Immune Activation ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Soluble Form ◽  
Surgical Trauma ◽  
Large Mammals ◽  
Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Processing And Storage ◽  
Cellular Immune ◽  
Free Ranging

Studies of large free-ranging mammals incorporating physiological measurements typically require the collection of urine or faecal samples, due to ethical and practical concerns over trapping or darting animals. However, there is a dearth of validated biomarkers of immune activation and inflammation that can be measured non-invasively. We here evaluate the utility of urinary measurements of the soluble form of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), for use as a health marker in studies of wild large mammals. We investigate how urinary suPAR concentrations change in response to viral infection and surgical trauma (inflammation), comparing it to the measurement of a marker of cellular immune activation, urinary neopterin (uNEO), in captive rhesus macaques. We then test the field utility of urinary suPAR, assessing the effects of soil and faecal contamination, sunlight, storage at different temperatures, freeze–thaw cycles, and lyophilization. We find that suPAR concentrations rise markedly in response to both infection and surgery-associated inflammation, unlike uNEO concentrations, which only rise in response to the former. Our field validation demonstrates that urinary suPAR is reasonably robust to many of the issues associated with field collection, sample processing, and storage, as long as samples can be stored in a freezer. Urinary suPAR is thus a promising biomarker applicable for monitoring various aspects of health in wild primates and potentially also other large mammals.

Infant handling enhances social bonds in free-ranging rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Behaviour ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 154 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 875-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica S. Dunayer ◽  
Carol M. Berman
Keyword(s):  
Macaca Mulatta ◽  
Social Bonds ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fitness Effects ◽  
Early Handling ◽  
Infant Handling ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
The Relationship

Throughout the primate order, individuals are highly motivated to handle infants that are not their own. Given the differing and often conflicting interests of the various participants in handling interactions (handler, infant, and mother), most functional hypotheses are specific to particular handling roles. Here we explore one hypothesis that may apply to all participants, but that has received relatively little attention: that handling may facilitate the formation and maintenance of social bonds. Using free-ranging rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) on Cayo Santiago, we examine the relationship between infant handling in the early weeks and the strength and diversity of infant social bonds months later, when infant relationships were more independent from those of their mothers. Our results largely confirm the influence of several social characteristics (kinship, rank, sex, and age) in governing handling interactions. They also provide the first evidence that early handling is associated with later social bonds that are stronger than expected based on these social characteristics. However, the enhancement of bonds is largely confined to related handlers; frequent unrelated handlers did not generally go on to form strong bonds with infants. This suggests that kinship may be a sort of prerequisite to the enhancement of social bonds via handling. Given the adaptive benefits of strong social bonds among adult primates, future research should investigate whether early infant handling may have longer term fitness effects.

Aspects of fight interference in free-ranging and compound-dwelling rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

1987 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay R. Kaplan ◽  
Dennis K. Chikazawa ◽  
Stephen B. Manuck
Keyword(s):  
Macaca Mulatta ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Free Ranging
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