First Observation of Vervet Monkeys Chlorocebus pygerythrus Feeding on Seagrass Thalassodendron ciliatum along the Tanzanian Coast

2020 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
John V. Lyakurwa
Keyword(s):  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Chlorocebus Pygerythrus ◽  
Thalassodendron Ciliatum

scholarly journals Adaptive genetic variation at three loci in South African vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) and the role of selection within Primates

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem G Coetzer ◽  
Trudy R Turner ◽  
Christopher A Schmitt ◽  
J Paul Grobler
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
South African ◽  
Vervet Monkey ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Adaptive Genetic Variation ◽  
Chlorocebus Pygerythrus

Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) are one of the most widely distributed non-human primate species found in South Africa. They occur across all the South African provinces, inhabiting a large variety of habitats. These habitats vary sufficiently that it can be assumed that various factors such as pathogen diversity could influence populations in different ways. In turn, these factors could lead to varied levels of selection at specific fitness linked loci. The Toll-like Receptor (TLR) gene family, which play an integral role in vertebrate innate immunity, is a group of fitness linked loci which has been the focus of much research. In this study, we assessed the level of genetic variation at partial sequences of two TLR loci (TLR4 and 7) and a reproductively linked gene, acrosin (ACR), across the different habitat types within the vervet monkey distribution range. Gene variation and selection estimates were also made among 11 – 21 primate species. Low levels of genetic variation for all three gene regions were observed within vervet monkeys , with only two polymorphic sites identified for TLR4, three sites for TLR7 and one site for ACR . TLR7 variation was positively correlated with high mean annual rainfall, which was linked to increased pathogen abundance. The observed genetic variation at TLR4 might have been influenced by numerous factors including pathogens and climatic conditions. The ACR exonic regions showed no variation in vervet monkeys, which could point to the occurrence of a selective sweep. The TLR4 and TLR7 results for the among primate analyses was mostly in line with previous studies, indicating a higher rate of evolution for TLR4. Within primates, ACR also showed signs of positive selection, which was congruent with previous reports on mammals. Important additional information to the already existing vervet monkey knowledge base was gained from this study, which can guide future research projects on this highly researched taxon as well as help conservation agencies with future management planning involving possible translocations of this species.

scholarly journals Social contact behaviors are associated with infection status for whipworm (Trichuris sp.) in wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandi Wren ◽  
Ian S. Ray ◽  
Melissa Remis ◽  
Thomas R. Gillespie ◽  
Joseph Camp
Keyword(s):  
Direct Contact ◽  
Sickness Behavior ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Infection Status ◽  
Social Grooming ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Chlorocebus Pygerythrus

AbstractSocial grooming in the animal kingdom is common and serves several functions, from removing ectoparasites to maintaining social bonds between conspecifics. We examined whether time spent grooming with others in a highly social mammal species was associated with infection status for gastrointestinal parasites. Of six parasites detected, one (Trichuris sp.) was associated with social grooming behaviors, but more specifically with direct physical contact with others. Individuals infected with Trichuris sp. spent significantly less time grooming conspecifics than those not infected, and time in direct contact with others was the major predictor of infection status. One model correctly predicted infection status for Trichuris sp. with a reliability of 95.17% overall when the variables used were time spent in direct contact and time spent grooming others. This decrease in time spent grooming and interacting with others is likely a sickness behavior displayed by individuals with less energy or motivation for non-essential behaviors. This study highlights the need for an understanding of a study population’s parasitic infections when attempting to interpret animal behavior.

scholarly journals Male characteristics as predictors of genital color and display variation in vervet monkeys

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjam M. I. Young ◽  
Sandra Winters ◽  
Christopher Young ◽  
Brigitte M. Weiß ◽  
Jolyon Troscianko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Color Variation ◽  
Male Dominance ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Color Analysis ◽  
Visual Modeling ◽  
Modeling Methods ◽  
Chlorocebus Pygerythrus ◽  
Color Signals ◽  
Behavioral Display

Abstract In the animal kingdom, conspicuous colors are often used for inter- and intra-sexual communication. Even though primates are the most colorful mammalian taxon, many questions, including what potential information color signals communicate to social partners, are not fully understood. Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) are ideal to examine the covariates of color signals. Males have multi-colored genitals, which they present during distinctive male-male interactions, known as the “Red-White-and-Blue” (RWB) display, but the genitals are also visible across a variety of other contexts, and it is unclear what this color display signals to recipients. We recorded genital color presentations and standardized digital photos of male genitals (N = 405 photos) over one mating season for 20 adult males in three groups at the Samara Private Game Reserve, South Africa. We combined these with data on male characteristics (dominance, age, tenure length, injuries, and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations). Using visual modeling methods, we measured single colors (red, white, blue) but also the contrasts between colors. We assessed the frequency of the RWB genital display and male variation in genital coloration and linked this to male characteristics. Our data suggest that the number of genital displays increased with male dominance. However, none of the variables investigated explained the inter- and intra-individual variation in male genital coloration. These results suggest that the frequency of the RWB genital display, but not its color value, is related to dominance, providing valuable insights on covariation in color signals and their display in primates. Significance statement Conspicuous colors in animals often communicate individual quality to mates and rivals. By investigating vervet monkeys, a primate species in which males present their colorful genitals within several behavioral displays, we aim to identify the covariates of such colorful signals and their behavioral display. Using visual modeling methods for the color analysis and combining behavioral display data and color data with male characteristics, we found that high-ranking males displayed their colorful genitals more frequently than lower-ranking ones. In contrast, color variation was not influenced by male dominance, age, tenure length, or health. Our results can serve as a basis for future investigations on the function of colorful signals and behavioral displays, such as a badge of status or mate choice in primates.

Living in the suburbs: Space use by vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in an eco‐estate, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Patterson ◽  
Riddhika Kalle ◽  
Colleen T. Downs
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Chlorocebus Pygerythrus

Evaluation of tuberculin skin test (TST) in vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) using experimentally tuberculin sensitized animals

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 218-225
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hassan Hablolvarid ◽  
Mohammad Eslampanah ◽  
Nader Mosavari ◽  
Zahra Baradaran‐Seyed
Keyword(s):  
Tuberculin Skin Test ◽  
Skin Test ◽  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Chlorocebus Pygerythrus

Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) alarm calls to leopards (Panthera pardus) function as a predator deterrent

Behaviour ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 153 (5) ◽  
pp. 591-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynne A. Isbell ◽  
Laura R. Bidner
Keyword(s):  
Alarm Call ◽  
Vervet Monkey ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Alarm Calls ◽  
Gps Data ◽  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Panthera Pardus ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Chlorocebus Pygerythrus

Behavioural predator–prey interactions are difficult to study, especially when predators avoid humans. To gain greater understanding of their dynamism, we conducted a 14-month field study in which we minimized human presence by employing acoustic recorders and camera traps, along with GPS collars deployed on vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) and leopards (Panthera pardus) in Laikipia, Kenya. Recordings at the vervets’ sleeping site revealed that they gave ‘leopard’ alarm calls most frequently near dusk and dawn, whereas photographs showed that leopards approached vervets more closely at night, when the monkeys alarm-called less often. GPS data showed that after vervets alarm-called, leopards within 200 m quickly moved away, changing direction, but when vervets did not alarm-call, leopards continued moving forward. These results reveal that vervets’ leopard alarm calls function as a predator deterrent in addition to a conspecific warning call.

scholarly journals Negotiations over Grooming in Wild Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1153-1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica van de Waal ◽  
Martina Spinelli ◽  
Redouan Bshary ◽  
Albert Frank Huascar Ros ◽  
Ronald Noë
Keyword(s):  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Chlorocebus Pygerythrus
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