LABORATORY PRIMATE NEWSLETTER
Vol. 47, No. 4 October 2008
JUDITH E. SCHRIER, EDITOR JAMES S. HARPER, GORDON J. HANKINSON AND LARRY HULSEBOS, ASSOCIATE EDITORS MORRIS L. POVAR, CONSULTING EDITOR ELVA MATHIESEN, ASSISTANT EDITOR
ALLAN M. SCHRIER, FOUNDING EDITOR, 1962-1987
Published Quarterly by the Schrier Research Laboratory Psychology Department, Brown University Providence, Rhode Island ISSN 0023-6861 POLICY STATEMENT The Laboratory Primate Newsletter provides a central source of information about nonhuman primates and re- lated matters to scientists who use these animals in their research and those whose work supports such research. The Newsletter (1) provides information on care and breeding of nonhuman primates for laboratory research, (2) dis- seminates general information and news about the world of primate research (such as announcements of meetings, research projects, sources of information, nomenclature changes), (3) helps meet the special research needs of indi- vidual investigators by publishing requests for research material or for information related to specific research prob- lems, and (4) serves the cause of conservation of nonhuman primates by publishing information on that topic. As a rule, research articles or summaries accepted for the Newsletter have some practical implications or provide general information likely to be of interest to investigators in a variety of areas of primate research. However, special con- sideration will be given to articles containing data on primates not conveniently publishable elsewhere. General descriptions of current research projects on primates will also be welcome. The Newsletter appears quarterly and is intended primarily for persons doing research with nonhuman primates. Back issues may be purchased for $10.00 each. We are no longer printing paper issues, except those we will send to subscribers who have paid in advance. We will not accept future subscriptions, unless subscribers are willing to pay $100/year. (Please make checks payable to the Brown University Psychology Department.) Readers with ac- cess to electronic mail may receive a notice when a new issue is put on the Website by sending the message sub- scribe LPN-WARN your-own-name to [email protected]. (Send the message subscribe LPN-PDF to receive PDF files by e-mail; or the message subscribe LPN-L to receive the nongraphic contents of each issue.) Current and back issues of the Newsletter are available on the World Wide Web at
Figure 1: External view of the two-story housing system. Designing for Behavioral Needs When designing captive environments to meet ani- most of their time at heights of 12 m (39.4 ft) or less in mals’ behavioral needs, we should use the choices and the lower canopy and understory, though they also go preferences that animals make in both the wild and cap- down to the ground to forage (Ungar, 1996). Research on tivity (Dawkins, 2003). In their natural habitat, long- captive long-tailed macaques informs us that they have tailed macaques live in a variety of tropical forested re- strong preferences for higher parts of their enclosures gions throughout Southeast Asia (Rowe, 1996; Supriatna (Watson & Shively, 1996). Preferences for height are et al., 1996). They use a variety of substrates, spending most likely linked to feelings of safety, as long-tailed ma- caques exhibit a vertical flight response when frightened
in the wild (van Schaik et al., 1983) and captivity (C.W., Second author’s address: Dept of Veterinary Services, Univ. of P.H., & M.B., pers. obs). Not providing adequate vertical Oxford, Oxford, U.K. [e-mail: [email protected]].
1 flight space may lead animals to feeling trapped and can cealment from frightening stimuli, as hiding is a common cause stress and anxiety-related behaviors. For example, strategy employed by wild long-tailed macaques when long-tailed macaques housed in taller cages were found to threatened by predators, including humans (van Schaik et exhibit less self-directed stereotypies than those in shorter al., 1983). Captive environments should also allow for cages (Watson & Shively, 1996). this by incorporating visual barriers within the enclosure design. This allows animals to increase or decrease visual Not only should long-tailed macaques be provided contact with each other as they choose, as well as hide with enclosures that are tall, but it is also important to from caretakers or visitors and divide into sub-groupings. maximize the use of space. As long-tailed macaques Various studies have demonstrated the benefits of visual choose to exploit a variety of heights and substrates in the barriers in reducing aggression and related injuries in wild, the captive environment should also allow for this. other macaque species (e.g., McCormack & Megna, 2001; This can be achieved through the careful placement of Maninger et al., 1998; Westergaard et al., 1999). Visual plenty of perches at different heights. Providing an ade- quate amount of well-spaced perching is important for avoiding agonism in primates (Nakamichi & Asanuma, 1998; Neveu & Deputte, 1996), as it allows animals to space themselves as they desire and reduces risk of ag- gressive competition.
Figure 3: Multi-level perching around enclosure walls and in the center allows animals to space themselves as they desire and avoids competition over space. barriers can even be effective for pair-housed macaques, Figure 2: Pop-holes in mezzanine floor allowing access be- where they have been demonstrated to promote affiliation tween the two stories. (Reinhardt & Reinhardt, 1991). Many primate species, including long-tailed ma- Two-story Housing Concept and Design caques, which live in multi-male groups in the wild, are The two-story housing system we describe here was kept in small, single-male groups in captivity. Long- designed to specifically address the macaques’ behavioral tailed macaques naturally form mixed-sex groups ranging needs and is currently used to house multi-male, multi- in size from 6 to 58 individuals; when numbers are large, female groups of long-tailed macaques at BFC, a breeding long-tailed macaque groups split up into smaller foraging facility in Israel. The concept is to create an environment parties based on social rank to avoid feeding competition that resembles the situation in the wild, where animals can (Wheatley, 1980; van Noordwijk & van Schaik, 1987; van occupy different arboreal levels, while also being able to Schaik & van Noordwijk, 1988). Many facility managers exploit the ground. The height is 4 m, and while the and caretakers argue that males of these species are too footprint is 36 m2, there is a total floor area of 72 m2 due aggressive to keep together (C.W., P.H., & M.B., pers. to the presence of a wooden mezzanine floor at 2 m obs.). This is likely to be due in large part to the fact that (Figure 1). This floor also acts as a horizontal visual traditional enclosures are not designed for species-specific barrier and contains multiple “pop-holes” (Figure 2) to social requirements. With careful consideration of these allow animals various routes to move between the two needs, multiple males can be kept together safely (see levels via ladders. Compared to one-story housing with below). the same floor space, the inclusion of the mezzanine floor Wild long-tailed macaques use natural visual barriers increases the visual barrier surface by 700%. formed by trees and other vegetation to escape threats The enclosure’s interior has been designed to maxi- from conspecifics, as well as to visually separate into mize space used. On both the first and second level, smaller social groupings. This is also important for con-
2 shelving is located at a height of 1 m and 3 m, respec- ple escape routes when aggression occurs. The mezza- tively, around all the sides of the enclosure. A frame is nine floor has the added benefit of shading the lower located in the center, with wide perching at different lev- level, making it more difficult for dominant animals to els (Figure 3). Perches are of sufficient width to allow spot low ranking animals underneath following an agonis- several animals to sit together and groom. There are tic episode. hanging swings, barrels, and standing and hanging visual barriers made of heavy duty plastic on both levels, in ad- dition to the horizontal visual barrier of the floor. Wild long-tailed macaques come down to the ground to forage on the forest floor (Ungar, 1996) and to swim, play and forage in water (van Schaik et al., 1996; Yeager, 1996). To simulate this, swimming pools can be placed at the ground level to allow the expression of natural water- related behaviors (Figure 4), while an appropriate sub- strate (Figure 5) can encourage foraging. Our animals use all levels of the cage and the multilevel perches, and spend 80% of their time above 2 m (Honess et al., in prep.). Eucalyptus wood was used for the mezzanine floor and perches, as it is very strong and durable. It is highly Figure 5: Foraging on the ground floor. resistant to biting and chewing, so ingestion of wood is Creating natural social groupings and encouraging very infrequent. No problems related to the use of wood natural reproductive behavior were also goals of this de- have occurred. However, it should be noted that there are sign. Through incorporating plenty of visual barriers and situations in which other materials (e.g., plastic, steel, or places to perch, the housing system described here allows aluminum) could be used in order to conform to national animals to divide themselves into smaller social group- regulations (see, e.g., Institute of Laboratory Animal Re- ings as they desire as well as allowing for multiple males sources, 1996, p. 23, for United States rules). to be kept in mixed-sex groups. Males are able to avoid competition over resources, and can separate themselves visually during socially tense situations. In captivity, it is common for low-ranking males and females to be prevented from mating by dominant ani- mals. Including a large number of visual barriers in the cage design can allow subordinate animals to mate with- out harassment (e.g., Ruiz de Elvira & Herndon, 1986; Estep et al., 1988). Females can also escape the visual range of the dominant males, allowing them the opportu- nity to select other male partners, thereby achieving more natural mate choice. The enclosure design also meets practical husbandry and veterinary needs. The pop-holes in the second-story floor can be easily covered to restrict animals to one level (Figure 6). Once the opening is closed, all hanging fur- Figure 4: Use of swimming pools on the ground to promote natural behaviors. nishings can quickly be removed. This is a useful feature during routine husbandry procedures, such as cleaning, Both female and male long-tailed macaques maintain and also in situations where capture is necessary (e.g., strict dominance hierarchies, which determine priority of illness/injury, routine veterinary treatments). access to resources (Wheatley, 1999). The enclosure de- sign was intended to take into account hierarchical behav- This design has also been adapted for juvenile and ior. The welfare of low-ranking individuals can be par- geriatric groups through the modification of the furnish- ticularly compromised in captive settings due to competi- ings to meet the differing needs of each of these age tion and aggression from higher-ranking animals (Shively classes. In the case of groups consisting of young ani- et al., 1997; Whitten & Smith, 1984). Multiple pop-holes mals, fewer visual barriers are needed, while more swings in the mezzanine floor allow subordinate animals ways to and flexible furnishings promote play and physical activ- avoid higher ranking animals, as well as providing multi- ity. For geriatric groups, furnishings have been carefully
3 designed to provide ease of access to different parts of the tion for resources, as well as the opportunities for proper enclosure, as these individuals may experience reduced social spacing and visual seclusion, which all act to de- mobility. crease social tension. Rates of injury due to aggression among animals have also decreased dramatically, with aggression-related injuries being infrequent among ani- mals in the two-story cages. This has resulted in drasti- cally fewer wounds requiring treatment, which is not only better for the animals’ well-being, but also has manage- ment and financial benefits – saving intervention time for caretaking and veterinary staff and saving clinical sup- plies. Therefore, both welfare and economic benefits are derived from housing long-tailed macaques in accommo- dations that meet their behavioral needs. Conclusions The use of this two-story housing system, designed to meet the behavioral needs of long-tailed macaques by increased enclosure height, perches, and visual barriers, provides a variety of benefits, including: Figure 6: Cover for pop-holes if separation or capture is 1. Allowing animals to demonstrate their preferences; necessary. 2. The ability to keep animals in natural multi-male, multi-female social groupings; Behavioral and Health Benefits 3. Reduced stress and increased social cohesion by A variety of benefits both to behavior, and subse- working with the dominance hierarchy, with the quently to health, have come about with this cage design. needs of low-ranking animals being taken into con- Anxiety-related behaviors (e.g., scratching, visual scan- sideration; ning) have decreased, while positive social interactions 4. Promotion of infant independence and exploration; (e.g., grooming) have increased when animals were and housed in a two-story enclosure compared to one-story 5. Reduced requirement for veterinary intervention enclosures (Honess et al., in prep.). Infants explore more and clinical supplies independently and spend more time out of their mothers’ Acknowledgements line of sight when housed in two-story conditions, sug- gesting that both mothers and infants are more relaxed in We are grateful to Viktor Reinhardt for his comments this setting (Honess et al., in prep.). The ability to spread on an earlier draft of this manuscript. Funding for the food over the two levels also allows avoidance of feeding assessment of the enclosure design was provided by the competition and promotes physical activity. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW)/ Society for Animal Welfare in Israel (SAWI) Fund and Spotting sick or injured animals and isolating these the University of Oxford. individuals for treatment can sometimes be difficult when macaques are housed in large groups. The design of this References enclosure has the benefit of allowing sick and injured Carlsson, H. E., Schapiro, S. J., Farah, I., & Hau, J. animals to be spotted more easily, as they generally stay (2004). Use of primates in research: A global over- in the lower level. Identifying these animals sooner view. American Journal of Primatology, 63, 225-237. means they will receive treatment more quickly, thereby improving the outcome. Dawkins, M. S. (2003). Behaviour as a tool in the as- sessment of animal welfare. Zoology, 106, 383-387. Benefits in terms of reduced aggression have also been observed. Among captive macaques, aggression- Hagelin, J. (2004). Use of live nonhuman primates in re- related injuries are common (e.g., Whitten & Smith, search in Asia. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 50, 1984). Aggression is a natural behavior, though we be- 253-256. lieve that excessive aggression and injury in captivity Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources (1996). Guide largely stem from failures of the captive environment to for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Wash- meet the behavioral needs of macaques, rather than being ington, DC: National Academy Press.
4 International Species Information System (2008). predators in Sumatran forest primates. Primates, 24,
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Capturing and Handling Marmosets Marcie J. Donnelly Merck & Company, Inc. I have worked with marmosets in a laboratory setting scale for body weights, and jumping into a transport box for the last three years. Part of working with them in- for cage changes, to name a few. volves getting them used to being “hand caught” with However I would not attempt blood collection while gloves. I use deerskin Kevlar-lined gloves which are the animal remains in its home cage, for several reasons. made for use with New World primates – they are fairly One is that the blood is generally collected from the femo- thin, so I can feel the animal, and yet they are quite bite- ral vein and, as marmosets are prone to hematomas, you resistant. They are soft enough so that most marmosets need to make sure you apply enough pressure to the do not damage their teeth if they bite the glove. venipuncture site to ensure all bleeding has ceased before Generally what I do with anything new – including returning the animal to its home cage. If the animals have when we bought these catch gloves – is to leave them on a enough freedom to move at the “wrong” time, this would cart in the middle of the room for about a week. During be difficult. Also, you would be more likely to damage the week I move the cart in front of different animals so the blood vessel or be bitten during the procedure. that they can view them if they like. A trainer I know I would rather train the marmosets to become accus- often “zip-ties” a glove to the outside of the cage first, and tomed to being hand-caught, followed by being placed in later to the inside. Again, this allows the animals to ap- a restraint tube, as you have good control. The animal proach if they choose. I haven’t done this, but if I had old can’t bite you and has a limited amount of movement, so gloves it would be a good step to add. you are less likely to cause a hematoma or other damage. After this “getting acquainted” period, I generally of- Also, in the study room the animals are in a quiet and fer a favorite treat from the glove, such as marshmallow, calm environment, as there are only 4 to 6 marmosets in at the outside of the cages, followed by reaching inside there at one time and they have all been trained together and allowing the marmosets to take the treat if they to ensure they are compatible. choose directly from the glove. Next we catch the mar- We have tried to acquire blood samples from a tail mosets, but do not remove them from the cage – usually I vein, but to date it has been unsuccessful. If this tech- take them around the waist while they hang on to the bars. nique worked well I would be in favor of training marmo- Next, I catch them off the bars but keep them inside the sets to present their tails for blood collection. cage, progressing to catching them and removing them from the cage but not from the housing room. They are I know people who have trained marmosets for in- then caught and removed from the housing room and cage weighing. Generally they accustom the marmosets brought to the study room where routine blood collection to the scale first. They smear marshmallow fluff on the or some type of study would take place. Unfortunately, scale top so the marmosets can lick the fluff off while marmosets do become upset at first, but they seem to pro- they are being weighed. Some (e.g., McKinley et al., gress to accepting the catch procedure if you break your 2003) have also trained the marmosets to hold plastic training into small steps such as these. spoons as “targets” while they are on the scale. We have several that will jump into their nest boxes, which allows During the above training process I use the word for easy transfer to a clean cage or onto the scale for “touch” prior to actually making contact with the animals. weighing. This eventually is a word they come to know and can then expect to be touched with the gloves and removed from When I hand catch it’s not always for the same proce- the cage. Giving animals a word so that they can come to dure. This seems to help the animals deal with being understand what is going to happen prior to it actually hand caught as most hand-catching is for a positive inter- happening seems to reduce stress in all animals from your action. Sometimes I give them maple syrup or a pet dog to monkeys. Splenda/water mixture as a treat (via syringe) for allowing me just to hand catch and return them to the cage. This There are several types of behaviors you can train also helps reinforce the current oral dose procedure that your marmosets to perform while they remain in their we use in which the animals have been trained to drink home cages, such as urination on command, sitting on a their flavor-masked doses via blunt-tip syringes. Gener- ally during the studies the animals will come to the front Author’s address: One Merck Dr., Whitehouse Station, NJ of their home cages and drink their dose through the bars, 08889 [e-mail: [email protected]]. which both speeds up the time it takes to dose several Thanks to Viktor Reinhardt for his comments and sugges- marmosets and reduces the unnecessary stress of hand- tions. catching the marmosets and dosing via gavage tube. The Photos by Alison Kulick.
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Splenda/water mix is also a great treat if you’re worried key word is gradually. They each have had over 150 about the marmosets receiving too many “sweet” treats training sessions plus refresher sessions. They have no during training. When they do go into restraint tubes it problem going into restraint tubes and do not seem may be for a quick toe prick and glucose reading, routine stressed while in the tubes. However, when blood collec- blood collection, or just a quick refresher session prior to tion starts some will still become somewhat stressed. study. They receive a highly valued treat directly following the procedure and in most cases are returned to the cage once all bleeding has ceased. They are also brought out with “friends”. Generally we have four to six marmosets out at a time and all are returned to the cage once bleeding has ceased.
Figure 1: Taking a treat from a syringe through the bars. Sometimes they go into the tube for a femoral venipuncture and are rewarded well with a prized treat directly following the procedure. We try to make it as quick and smooth as possible. Some get more upset then Figure 3: Marmoset in restraint tube accepting an oral dose others during blood collection, but there are several who without having to be removed from the tube for dosing. This is are really good about staying still during the entire blood great for pharmacokinetic studies, for instance, which have draw. We offer toys as a distraction as well as treats, and frequent blood collections. they are much more comfortable with familiar people during the procedure. I have spent many, many hours working with these guys over the past three years. I have them trained enough so that I don’t have to constantly give them re- fresher sessions for the restraint tube or syringe dosing. The time I have devoted to these animals has paid off hugely! They don’t even fear strangers (visitors) as they once did, because we have exposed them to so many situations. Several marmosets will even climb onto my hand waiting to be placed in the nest box for weighing. Because of the dedication I have given to proper introduc- tion of new procedures (to the animals) as well as training sessions, we have been able to complete several studies, and these animals have become a very useful animal model. A problem for many places may be the time needed to Figure 2: Hand-held marmoset taking a treat from a syringe. dedicate a few staff members to learning to understand marmoset behavior and to train the marmosets. Toys, At times they are simply hand caught for a quick wooden perches, nest boxes, and other food and toy en- physical. We catch them every week for body weights richments are also very important in keeping marmosets and while we have them in our hands it gives us a good happy and healthy. I won’t lie – the amount of time re- opportunity to check for any issues such as thin body con- quired is huge – but the benefits are plentiful if you intend dition, loose teeth, poorly groomed coat, dermatitis, etc. to use these sensitive primates in your research. Training We have conditioned and trained each and every ani- helps give animals a sense of “control” as they can now mal for the restraint tube by placing them in the tube and understand what you are asking of them, which helps re- gradually increasing the time they remained there. The duce the stress of the “unknown”. It is well known that animals that are less stressed are animals with fewer
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health problems, which also makes a better research lithrix jacchus) to cooperate during routine laboratory model. procedures: Ease of training and time investment. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 6, 209- Reference 220. McKinley, J., Buchanan-Smith, H. M., Bassett, L., & Morris, L. (2003). Training common marmosets (Cal- * * * Grants Available: Fyssen Foundation Postdoctoral Research Grants The aim of the Fyssen Foundation is to “encourage all Priority will be given to researchers who will develop forms of scientific inquiry into cognitive mechanisms, their project in a different laboratory from the one at including thought and reasoning, which underlie animal which they received their doctorate and from the laborato- and human behavior; their biological and cultural bases, ries where they are working at present. and phylogenetic and ontogenetic development.” The The research grant, for one year without renewal, Foundation supports research in ethology, psychology, could range from 15,000 to 30,000 Euros. The financing neurobiology, anthropology, ethnology, human paleontol- of equipment above 7,500 Euros is excluded. One year ogy, and archeology. Within the context of general ac- after the award, the researchers will have to provide a tivities, the Foundation will award Research Grants to detailed financial report about the use of the grant, and a support postdoctoral researchers, under 35 years of age in short scientific report in French. the biological sciences and under 40 years of age in the human sciences, already holders of posts, who wish to Application details and forms may be obtained from work independently by establishing around themselves the Secrétariat de la Fondation Fyssen, 194, rue de Rivoli, research teams to achieve a collective scientific operation 7500l Paris, France [e-mail: secretariat@fondation- in laboratories in France and who will work in keeping fyssen.org]; or see
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Positions Available Lab Animal Clinical Veterinarian – North Carolina care, clinical teaching, scholarly activity that advances clinical medicine, and institutional service. Applicants The Animal Resources Program at Wake Forest Uni- should also have demonstrable experience and skills in versity is seeking a clinical veterinarian to provide medi- management and supervision, facility design, rodent and cal care to animals used in teaching and research pro- primate colony management, and disease control, and an grams. The person filling the position will join a team of interest in collaborative research as evidenced by publica- veterinary faculty and staff responsible for the provision tions in peer-reviewed journals. Salary will be commen- of a comprehensive animal care program that ensures surate with qualifications and experience. Interested can- compliance with regulatory and accreditation require- didates should send a letter of interest, CV, and names ments. The position offers a unique opportunity for a and addresses of five references to Janice D. Wagner at motivated individual interested in the care of primates, the address given above. Applications will be reviewed rodents, and a variety of other species in a research- upon receipt and the search will be continued until the intensive setting. In addition to clinical care of animals, position is filled. Wake Forest is committed to equal op- responsibilities will include supervision of animal health portunity, affirmative action, and the diversity of its fac- technicians, consultation with research faculty and staff ulty and staff. Women and minorities are strongly en- on issues pertaining to animal care and use, training of couraged to apply. personnel, and participation in IACUC activities. NHP Research Support Coordinator – Pittsburgh Minimum acceptable qualifications include a degree in veterinary medicine from an institution accredited by The University of Pittsburgh’s Division of Laboratory the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Resources (DLAR) is seeking a Nonhuman Primate state licensure to practice veterinary medicine in the (NHP) Research Support Coordinator. This person will United States, and one year of veterinary practice experi- be responsible for providing oversight and coordination of ence. The applicant should possess excellent communica- veterinary services, husbandry, and animal procurement; tion skills (written and oral) and a service-oriented atti- and veterinary technical assistance to principal investiga- tude. Additional desirable qualifications are training tors involved in NHP research (infectious disease, etc.). and/or experience in laboratory animal medicine, surgical He or she will participate in research support when neces- experience, and supervisory skills. For consideration, sary, and also provide clinical support to the DLAR col- please submit a letter of interest, CV, and three references ony of NHPs housed at the University’s primate facilities. to Janice D. Wagner, DVM, PhD, DACLAM, Professor, The Research Support Coordinator serves the university Pathology/Comparative Medicine, and Director, Animal community by supporting research excellence through Resources Program, Wake Forest University School of quality animal care. He or she will work closely with the Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC NHP Clinical Veterinarian, DLAR management, and re- 27157 [e-mail: [email protected]]. searchers and their staff in assessing program operations to ensure provision of the highest quality service, and will Wake Forest University is an affirmative action/equal present routine progress reports and support documenta- opportunity employer. tion to departmental and senior university administration Pathology/Comparative Medicine – North Carolina and regulatory officials. Wake Forest University Health Sciences is currently This person will be accountable for ensuring high seeking an Assistant Director for the Animal Resources quality, humane animal care and use, in coordination with Program. The successful candidate will oversee the ex- the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, in panding Downtown Campus of a major laboratory animal compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, care program. A faculty appointment is available at the and according to the standards established to maintain full level of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in the accreditation by the Association for the Assessment and Section on Comparative Medicine, Department of Pathol- Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International. ogy, commensurate with the interest and qualifications of He or she will be responsible for carrying out the DLAR’s the applicant. This position reports to the Director of the mission of facilitating the animal-based research enter- Animal Resources Program. prise and will work closely with all departments within the DLAR to achieve maximum effectiveness. Candidates must have received the DVM or VMD degree from an AVMA-accredited institution. Board cer- Successful enrollment in the University’s Animal Ex- tification in Laboratory Animal Medicine is preferred, posure and other medical surveillance programs is re- board eligibility is required. Skills in verbal and written quired. Criminal background and reference checks will communication are essential. Applicants should have be performed prior to employment. demonstrated excellence in the overall mix of clinical
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Apply online for this staff position at Search for “position number” 0126018. All applicants
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News Briefs Apes Get Legal Rights in Spain health zones and more recently in Ingende health zone, near Mbandaka [the main town in the province],” he said. Spain is to become the first country to extend legal “The epidemic is now heading northwards to Boende rights to apes. In what is thought to be the first time a health zone; the east is in the middle of the epidemic and national legislature has granted such rights to animals, the isolated cases have also appeared all over the province.” Spanish parliament’s environmental committee voted to approve resolutions committing the country to the Great He explained that most years one or two people would Apes Project, designed by scientists and philosophers who be infected with the monkey pox virus, mainly in Tshuapa say that humans’ closest biological relatives also deserve health zone. The disease disappeared in the 1980s but rights. made a comeback after routine vaccinations against smallpox, a related disease, were stopped. The resolution, adopted with crossparty support, calls on the Government to promote the Great Apes Project “The disease reappeared because people here regularly internationally and ensure the protection of apes from eat monkeys and squirrels, which are reservoirs for the “abuse, torture and death”. “This is a historic moment in virus, and above all because smallpox vaccinations the struggle for animal rights,” Pedro Pozas, the Spanish stopped,” said Makaya. People under 30 years of age director of the Great Apes Project, told The Times. “It who have never been vaccinated against smallpox are the will doubtless be remembered as a key moment in the most susceptible to monkey pox. defence of our evolutionary comrades.” The trade in bush meat, coupled with human travel Spain’s conservative Popular Party complained that across the country, mean other areas of DRC, including the resolution sought to give animals the same rights as the capital, are at risk of infections, he added, explaining humans – something that the Socialist Government that the greatest hurdle in tackling the disease was con- denies. Some critics questioned why Spain should afford vincing people to change their diets. legal protection from death or torture to great apes but not Initial symptoms of monkey pox include headache, bulls. But Mr. Pozas said that the vote would set a fever, aching muscles, swollen lymph nodes, and extreme precedent, establishing legal rights for animals that could tiredness, followed by a rash. There is no proven treat- be extended to other species. “We are seeking to break ment for monkey pox, which in Africa has a fatality rate the species barrier – we are just the point of the spear,” he ranging from 1-10 percent. – UN Office for the Coordina- said. tion of Humanitarian Affairs, July 1 The resolutions will outlaw harmful experiments on Oldest Gorilla in Captivity Dies in Dallas at 55 great apes, though activists say that they have no knowledge of any being carried out in Spain. It will also The oldest gorilla in captivity, a 55-year-old female make keeping great apes for circuses, TV commercials or named Jenny, has died at the Dallas Zoo – her home for filming a criminal offence. more than half a century, a spokesman said Friday. Zoo officials decided to euthanize Jenny on Thursday night Keeping apes in zoos will remain legal, but conditions because of an inoperable tumor in her stomach. Jenny for the 350 apes in Spanish zoos will have to improve. had stopped eating and drinking recently, and tests Animal rights activists say that 70 per cent of apes in showed she was unlikely to recover, zoo spokesman Sean Spanish zoos live in sub-human conditions. The Greene said. philosophers Peter Singer and Paola Cavalieri founded the Great Ape Project in 1993, saying that hominids such as “The last couple of weeks we noticed that she hadn’t chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans should enjoy the been feeling all that great,” Greene said. “It was a quality- right to life and freedom and not to be mistreated. – The of-life decision.” Times, June 27 The International Species Information System, which DRC: Monkey Pox Kills 22 in Equateur Province maintains records on animals at 700 institutions around the world, confirmed earlier this year that Jenny was the An outbreak of monkey pox in Democratic Republic oldest gorilla in its database. Jenny, a western lowland of Congo’s (DRC) Equateur province has killed 22 of the gorilla, was born in the wild and was acquired by the zoo 470 people infected since the start of 2008, according to in 1957. She gave birth in 1965 to a female named Vicki, medical officials. “The epidemic began in the Tshuapa and officials aren’t sure why she didn’t conceive again. health zone and has reached almost all parts of the prov- Vicki was sent to a Canadian zoo at age five. At the time ince,” said August Makaya, the chief epidemiologist in of Jenny’s death she was one of five gorillas at the Dallas Equateur. “Cases of monkey pox have been registered all Zoo. over Tshuapa health zone but also in Befale and Mopono
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Gorillas in the wild normally live to age 30 or 35, but New Special Collections Librarian at Wisconsin NPRC they can survive years longer in a zoo, with veterinary Ryan Engel joined the staff of the Lawrence Jacobsen care and protection from predators. Still, of the roughly Library at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Cen- 360 gorillas in North American zoos, only four were over ter as the new Special Collections Librarian on September 50 as of this spring. According to the International Spe- 2. He will be taking charge of the library’s audiovisual cies Information System, the oldest living gorilla is now collection and aiding in the development of new Web Colo, a 51-year-old female at the Columbus Zoo who was resources. the first gorilla born in captivity. Ryan received his MLS from the UW-Madison School Just last month, another gorilla at the Dallas Zoo, 43- of Library and Information Studies in 2004. Although a year-old Hercules, died after undergoing a medical proce- Wisconsin native, he spent the previous three years as a dure for spinal disease. – By Linda Stewart Ball, Associ- news librarian at CNN’s world headquarters in Atlanta. ated Press, September 5 Ryan can be reached at 608-263-5530; e-mail: [email protected]. – September 15 announcement on Primate-Science * * * Meeting Announcements The Israel Laboratory Animal Forum is privileged Brazil will provide easy access to surrounding regions to host the forthcoming 2nd East Mediterranean of interest, which can be explored either individually Regional International Committee for Laboratory or on excursions that will be offered as add-ons to the Animal Science (ICLAS) Meeting to be held in meeting package. Information will become available Jerusalem, Israel, December 3-4, 2008. The theme of at
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Information Requested or Available HSUS Changes Format Animals in Field Research”, held May 21-22, 2008, in Oslo, Norway, are now available at “In order to bring you up-to-date news about animals in research, the Humane Society of the United States has
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Recent Books and Articles (Addresses are those of first authors unless otherwise indicated) Books • Manipulative Monkeys: The Capuchins of Lomas Barbu- • I’m Lucy: A Day in the Life of a Young Bonobo. Text by dal. S. Perry, with J. H. Manson. Cambridge, MA: Har- M. Levine, Photography by M. Brickner, Afterword by J. vard Univ. Press, 2008. [Price: $45] Goodall. St. Louis, MO: Blue Bark Press, 2008. 33 pp. • Recognition and Alleviation of Distress in Laboratory [Price: $19.95] Animals. P. A. Ward, R. J. Blanchard, & V. Bolivar. • Extended Family: Long Lost Cousins – A Personal Look Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2008. 208 pp.; at the History of Primatology. C. Groves. Foreword by R.
nial morphotype of primates; New skeletons of Paleocene– • CC Update, Summer, 2008, 19[2], Eocene Plesiadapiformes: A diversity of arboreal posi- www.communityconservation.org/newsletter.htm tional behaviors in early primates; Starting small and living (Community Conservation, Inc., 50542 One Quiet Lane, slow: Encephalization, body size and life history strategies Gays Mills, WI 54631 [e-mail: communityconserva- in primate origins evolution; Evolutionary specializations [email protected]]). of primate brain systems; New views on the origin of pri- mate social organization; Primate bioenergetics: An evolu- • Folia Primatologica, 2008, 79[5],
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Dumas, R. Stanyon, A. Lannino, F. Bigoni, O. Privitera, & B. Cysne, M. B. Gonçalves, J. S. Bravin, T. Kugelmeier, L. Sineo. C. F. Viana, F. A. Silva, & A. M. Marinho; A pharmacoki- netic study of enrofloxacin and its active metabolite cipro- • IDA-Africa E-news, Sept, 2008
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lis diardi) predation on proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larva- • Hierarchical coding for sequential task events in the tus) in Sabah, Malaysia, by I. Matsuda, A. Tuuga, & S. monkey prefrontal cortex. Sigala, N., Kusunoki, M., Higashi. Nimmo-Smith, I., Gaffan, D., & Duncan, J. (MRC Cog. & Brain Sci. Unit, 15 Chaucer Rd, Cambridge CB2 7EF, Reports U.K. [e-mail: [email protected]]). Pro- • Nocturnal Lemur Diversity at Masoala National Park. ceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., Lei, R., Engberg, S. E., Andriantompohavana, R., 2008, 105, 11969-11974. McGuire, S. M., Mittermeier, R. A., Zaonarivelo, J. R., “The frontal lobes play a key role in sequential organi- Brenneman, R. A., & Louis, E. E., Jr. Museum of Texas zation of behavior. Little is known, however, of the way Tech University Special Publication, No. 53, 2008, frontal neurons code successive phases of a structured task
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• Uncoupling of behavioral and autonomic responses after activity and a trait-like measure of anxious temperament lesions of the primate orbitofrontal cortex. Reekie, Y. L., that encompasses measures of BI and pituitary-adrenal Braesicke, K., Man, M. S., & Roberts, A. C. (A. C. R., reactivity. Regardless of context, results demonstrated a University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 trait-like pattern of brain activity (amygdala, bed nucleus 3DY, U.K. [e-mail: [email protected]]). Proceedings of the of stria terminalis, hippocampus, and periaqueductal gray) National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 2008, 105, 9787- that is predictive of individual phenotypic differences. 9792. Importantly, individuals with extreme anxious tempera- “Successful adaptation to changes in an animal’s emo- ment also displayed increased activity of this circuit when tional and motivational environment depends on behavioral assessed in the security of their home environment. These flexibility accompanied by changes in bodily responses, findings suggest that increased activity of this circuit early e.g., autonomic and endocrine, which support the change in in life mediates the childhood temperamental risk to de- behavior. Here, we identify the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) velop anxiety and depression. In addition, the findings as pivotal in the flexible regulation and coordination of provide an explanation for why individuals with anxious behavioral and autonomic responses during adaptation. temperament have difficulty relaxing in environments that Using an appetitive Pavlovian task, we demonstrate that others perceive as non-stressful.” OFC lesions in the marmoset (i) impair an animal’s ability to rapidly suppress its appetitive cardiovascular arousal • A centralized gene-based HIV-1 vaccine elicits broad upon termination of a conditioned stimulus, and (ii) cause cross-clade cellular immune responses in rhesus monkeys. an uncoupling of the behavioral and autonomic compo- Santra, S., Korber, B. T., Muldoon, M., Barouch, D. H., nents of the adaptive response after reversal of the reward Nabel, G. J., Gao, F., Hahn, B. H., Haynes, B. F., & Let- contingencies. These findings highlight the role of the vin, N. L. (N. L. L., (Div. of Viral Pathogenesis, Dept of OFC in emotional regulation and are highly relevant to our Med., Beth Israel Deaconess Med. Ctr, Harvard Med. understanding of disorders such as schizophrenia and au- School, RE113, P.O. Box 15732, Boston, MA 02215 [e- tism in which uncoupling of emotional responses may con- mail: [email protected]]). Proceedings of the tribute to the experiential distress and disadvantageous National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 2008, 105, 10489- behavior associated with these disorders.” 10494. One of the major challenges that must be met in devel- • Trait-like brain activity during adolescence predicts anx- oping an HIV-1 vaccine is devising a strategy to generate ious temperament in primates. Fox, A. S., Shelton, S. E., cellular immunity with sufficient breadth to deal with the Oakes, T. R., Davidson, R. J., & Kalin, N. H. (N. H. K., extraordinary genetic diversity of the virus. Amino acids Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705 [e-mail: nka- in the envelopes of viruses from the same clade can differ [email protected]]). PLoS ONE, 2008, 3[7], e2570. by >15%, and those from different clades can differ by “Early theorists (Freud and Darwin) speculated that >30%. It has been proposed that creating immunogens extremely shy children, or those with anxious tempera- using centralized HIV-1 gene sequences might provide a ment, were likely to have anxiety problems as adults. practical solution to this problem. Such centralized genes More recent studies demonstrate that these children have can be generated by employing a number of different heightened responses to potentially threatening situations strategies: consensus, ancestral, or center of tree sequences. reacting with intense defensive responses that are charac- These computer-generated sequences are a shorter genetic terized by behavioral inhibition (BI) (inhibited motor be- distance from any two contemporary virus sequences than havior and decreased vocalizations) and physiological those contemporary sequences are from each other. The arousal. Confirming the earlier impressions, data now present study was initiated to evaluate the breadth of cellu- demonstrate that children with this disposition are at in- lar immunity generated through immunization of rhesus creased risk to develop anxiety, depression, and comorbid monkeys with vaccine constructs expressing either an substance abuse. Additional key features of anxious tem- HIV-1 global consensus envelope sequence (CON-S) or a perament are that it appears at a young age, it is a stable single patient isolate clade B envelope sequence (clade B). characteristic of individuals, and even in non-threatening It is shown that vaccine immunogens expressing the single environments it is associated with increased psychic anxi- centralized gene CON-S generated cellular immune re- ety and somatic tension. To understand the neural under- sponses with significantly increased breadth compared pinnings of anxious temperament, we performed imaging with immunogens expressing a wild-type virus gene. In studies with 18-fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG) high- fact, CON-S immunogens elicited cellular immune re- resolution Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in young sponses to 3- to 4-fold more discrete epitopes of the enve- rhesus monkeys. Rhesus monkeys were used because they lope proteins from clades A, C, and G than did clade B provide a well validated model of anxious temperament for immunogens. These findings suggest that immunization studies that cannot be performed in human children. Imag- with centralized genes is a promising vaccine strategy for ing the same animal in stressful and secure contexts, we developing a global vaccine for HIV-1 as well as vaccines examined the relation between regional metabolic brain for other genetically diverse viruses.
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• Cortical control of a prosthetic arm for self-feeding. Vel- adenine-guanine (CAG, translated into glutamine) trinu- liste, M., Perel, S., Spalding, M. C., Whitford, A. S., & cleotide repeats in the first exon of the human huntingtin Schwartz, A. B. (A. B. S., Dept of Neurobiol., Sch. of (HTT) gene. Mutant HTT with expanded polyglutamine Med., E1440 BST, Lothrop St, Univ. of Pittsburgh, Pitts- (polyQ) is widely expressed in the brain and peripheral burgh, PA 15213 (e-mail: [email protected]]). Nature, 2008, tissues, but causes selective neurodegeneration that is most 453, 1098-1101,
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made between the foods. Qualitatively, capuchins’ prefer- therefore may act as an alternative to reconciliation when ences revealed by the way of tokens were similar to those the latter does not occur. In the debate about empathy in measured with the actual foods. In particular, when choos- great apes, evidence for the stress-alleviating function of ing between tokens, monkeys displayed strict economic consolation in chimpanzees provides support for the preferences and their choices satisfied transitivity. Quanti- argument that consolation could be critical behavior. tatively, however, values measured by way of tokens dif- Consistent with the argument that relationship quality fered systematically from those measured with actual affects their empathic responses, we found that consolation foods. In particular, for any pair of foods, the relative was more likely between individuals with more valuable value of the preferred food increased when monkeys chose relationships. Chimpanzees may thus respond to distressed between the corresponding tokens. These results indicate valuable partners by consoling them, thereby reducing their that capuchins are capable of treating tokens as symbols. stress levels, especially in the absence of reconciliation.” However, as they do so, capuchins experience the cogni- tive burdens imposed by symbolic representation.” • Sex differences in rhesus monkey toy preferences parallel those of children. Hassett, J. M., Siebert, E. R., & Wallen, • Male blue monkeys alarm call in response to danger ex- K. (K. W., Dept of Psych., Emory Univ., Atlanta, GA perienced by others. Papworth, S., Böse, A.-S., Barker, J., 30322). Hormones and Behavior, 2008, 54, 359-364. Schel, A. M., & Zuberbühler, K. (K. Z., School of Psy- “Sex differences in toy preferences in children are chology, Univ, of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9JP, marked, with boys expressing stronger and more rigid toy U.K. [e-mail: [email protected]]). Biology Letters, 2008, preferences than girls, whose preferences are more flexible.
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structure and perception of male advertisement calls of T. C., Harper, G. J., Hijmans, R. J., Lees, D. C., Louis, E., three nocturnal, dispersed living mouse lemur species, the Jr., Nussbaum, R. A., Raxworthy, C. J., Razafimpahanana, grey mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus), the golden A., Schatz, G. E., Vences, M., Vieites, D. R., Wright, P. brown mouse lemur (M. ravelobensis) and the Goodman’s C., & Zjhra, M. L. (Dept of Environ. Sci., Policy & Man- mouse lemur (M. lehilahytsara). The first two species oc- agement, 137 Mulford Hall, Univ. of California, Berkeley, cur sympatrically, the latter lives allopatrically to them. A CA 94720-3114 [e-mail: [email protected]]). multi-parameter sound analysis revealed prominent differ- Science, 2008, 320, 222-226. ences in the frequency contour and in the duration of ad- “Globally, priority areas for biodiversity are relatively vertisement calls. To test whether mouse lemurs respond well known, yet few detailed plans exist to direct conserva- specifically to calls of the different species, we conducted a tion action within them, despite urgent need. Madagascar, playback experiment with M. murinus from the field using like other globally recognized biodiversity hot spots, has advertisement calls and alarm whistle calls of all three spe- complex spatial patterns of endemism that differ among cies. Individuals responded significantly stronger to con- taxonomic groups, creating challenges for the selection of specific than to heterospecific advertisement calls but there within-country priorities. We show, in an analysis of wide were no differences in response behaviour towards statisti- taxonomic and geographic breadth and high spatial resolu- cally similar whistle calls of the three species. Further- tion, that multitaxonomic rather than single-taxon ap- more, sympatric calls evoked weaker interest than allo- proaches are critical for identifying areas likely to promote patric advertisement calls. Our results provide the first the persistence of most species. Our conservation prioriti- evidence for a specific relevance of social calls for speci- zation, facilitated by newly available techniques, identifies ation in cryptic primates. They furthermore support that optimal expansion sites for the Madagascar government’s specific differences in signalling and recognition systems current goal of tripling the land area under protection. Our represent an efficient premating isolation mechanism con- findings further suggest that high-resolution multitax- tributing to species cohesiveness in sympatrically living onomic approaches to prioritization may be necessary to species.” ensure protection for biodiversity in other global hot spots.” • Giving is self-rewarding for monkeys. de Waal, F. B. M., Leimgruber, K., & Greenberg, A. R. (Living Links, • Field evidence that ecosystem service projects support Yerkes NPRC, Emory Univ., Atlanta, GA 30329 [e-mail: biodiversity and diversify options. Goldman, R. L., Tallis, [email protected]]). Proceedings of the National Acad- H., Kareiva, P., & Daily, G. C. (Interdisciplinary Program emy of Sciences, U.S.A., 2008, 105, 13685-13689. in Environment & Resources, Dept of Biol. Sci., 371 Serra Helping and sharing among humans is often motivated Mall, Stanford Univ., Stanford, CA 94305-5020 [e-mail: by empathy and accompanied by a sense of satisfaction. [email protected]]). Proceedings of the National Acad- To determine whether similar self-rewarding mechanisms emy of Sciences, U.S.A., 2008, 105, 9445-9448. may underpin assistance among nonhuman primates, eight “Ecosystem service approaches to conservation are female brown capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) under- being championed as a new strategy for conservation, un- went testing in a simple choice paradigm. Paired with a der the hypothesis that they will broaden and deepen sup- partner, subjects could select either a “selfish” option that port for biodiversity protection. Where traditional ap- rewarded only themselves, or a “prosocial” option that proaches focus on setting aside land by purchasing prop- rewarded both of them. Subjects systematically favored erty rights, ecosystem service approaches aim to engage a the prosocial option provided their partner was a) familiar, much wider range of places, people, policies, and financial b) visible, and c) receiving rewards of equal value. Proso- resources in conservation. This is particularly important cial tendencies increased with social closeness, being low- given projected intensification of human impacts, with est toward strangers and highest toward kin. That the rapid growth in population size and individual aspirations. monkeys understood the options was suggested by greater Here we use field research on 34 ecosystem service (ES) orientation to the partner during prosocial than selfish projects and 26 traditional biodiversity (BD) projects from choices. Prosocial preferences were reduced by inequity, the Western Hemisphere to test whether ecosystem service when the partner received a superior reward. If the view approaches show signs of realizing their putative potential. between both monkeys was blocked, choices became strik- We find that the ES projects attract on average more than ingly selfish. Thus, under certain conditions, delivering four times as much funding through greater corporate benefits to others seems gratifying to nonhuman primates. sponsorship and use of a wider variety of finance tools than BD projects. ES projects are also more likely to encom- Conservation pass working landscapes and the people in them. We also • Aligning conservation priorities across taxa in Madagas- show that, despite previous concern, ES projects not only car with high-resolution planning tools. Kremen, C., Cam- expand opportunities for conservation, but they are no less eron, A., Moilanen, A., Phillips, S. J., Thomas, C. D., likely than BD projects to include or create protected areas. Beentje, H., Dransfield, J., Fisher, B. L., Glaw, F., Good, Moreover, they do not draw down limited financial re-
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sources for conservation but rather engage a more diverse M. L., & Moore, J. P. (J. P. M., Dept of Microbiol. & Im- set of funders. We also found, however, that monitoring of munol., Weill Med. College of Cornell Univ., 1300 York conservation outcomes in both cases is so infrequent that it Ave, Box 62, New York, NY 10075 [e-mail: is impossible to assess the effectiveness of either ES or BD [email protected]]). Proceedings of the Na- approaches.” tional Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 2008, 105, 10531- 10536. • Wildlife trading in Vietnam: Situation, causes, and solu- “We have assessed the potential of the fusion inhibitory tions. Song, N. V. (Hanoi Agricultural University [e-mail: peptide T-1249 for development as a vaginal microbicide [email protected]]). The Journal of Environ- to prevent HIV-1 sexual transmission. When formulated ment & Development, 2008, 17, 145-165. as a simple gel, T-1249 provided dose-dependent protec- This report provides data on the logistics, scope, and tion to macaques against high-dose challenge with three economics of the illegal trade in wildlife in Vietnam. It different SHIVs that used either CCR5 or CXCR4 for in- analyses the main reasons for the rapid growth in this trade fection (the R5 virus SHIV-162P3, the X4 virus SHIV- and highlights key failures in the country’s attempts to KU1 and the R5X4 virus SHIV-89.6P), and it also pro- control it. This report recommends that the government tected against SIVmac251 (R5). Protection of half of the should strengthen the capacity of the agencies responsible test animals was estimated by interpolation to occur at T- for fighting the trade and raise their budgets. It also high- 1249 concentrations of ≈40 to 130 μM, whereas complete lights the need to use education to encourage Vietnam protection was observed at 0.1 to 2 mM. In vitro, T-1249 people to stop consuming illegal wildlife products. The had substantial breadth of activity against HIV-1 strains report concludes that given the scale of the problem, a high from multiple genetic subtypes and in a coreceptor- level of commitment at all levels of government will be independent manner. Thus, at 1 μM in a peripheral blood needed to significantly affect the illegal wildlife trade in mononuclear cell-based replication assay, T-1249 inhibited Vietnam. all 29 R5 viruses, all 12 X4 viruses and all 7 R5X4 viruses • Forest commons and local enforcement. Chhatre, A., & in the test panel, irrespective of their genetic subtype. Agrawal, A. (Dept of Geography, Univ. of Illinois, 232 Combining lower concentrations of T-1249 with other en- Davenport MC-150, 607 South Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL try inhibitors (CMPD-167, BMS-C, or AMD3465) in- 61801 [e-mail: [email protected]]). Proceedings of the creased the proportion of test viruses that could be blocked. National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 2008, 105, 13286- In the PhenoSense assay, T-1249 was active against 636 13291. different HIV-1 Env-pseudotyped viruses of varying tro- “This article examines the relationship between local pism and derived from clinical samples, with IC50 values enforcement and forests used as commons. It uses a typically clustered in a 10-fold range ≈10 nM. Overall, unique multicountry dataset, created over the past 15 years these results support the concept of using T-1249 as a by the International Forestry Resources and Institutions component of an entry inhibitor-based combination micro- Research Program. Drawing on original enforcement and bicide to prevent the sexual transmission of diverse HIV-1 forest commons data from 9 countries, we find that higher variants.” levels of local enforcement have a strong and positive but • The use of nonhuman primate models in HIV vaccine complex relationship to the probability of forest regenera- development. Morgan, C., Marthas, M., Miller, C., Duerr, tion. This relationship holds even when the influence of a A., Cheng-Mayer, C., Desrosiers, R., Flores, J., Haigwood, number of other factors such as user group size, subsis- N., Hu, S.-L., Johnson, R. P., Lifson, J., Montefiori, D., tence, and commercial importance of forests, size of forest, Moore, J., Robert-Guroff, M., Robinson, H., Self, S., & and collective action for forest improvement activities is Corey, L. (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, P.O. taken into account. Although several of the above factors Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109 [e-mail: cmor- have a statistically significant relationship to changes in the [email protected]]). PLoS Med, 2008, 5(8), e173, condition of forest commons, differences in levels of local enforcement strongly moderate their link with forest com-
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scribes the two-stage NHP screening strategy for T cell- thropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708 [e-mail: based HIV-1 vaccines that emerged from discussions [email protected]]). Proceedings of the National among the authors during the past year and a half. While Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 2008, 105, 11093-11098. conceived prior to the recent release of results for the phase “Undisputed anthropoids appear in the fossil record of IIB trial (STEP Study) of the Merck replication- Africa and Asia by the middle Eocene, about 45 Ma. Here, incompetent adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5)-HIV gag/pol/nef we report the discovery of an early Eocene eosimiid an- vaccine, we think the approach outlined here will be par- thropoid primate from India, named Anthrasimias, that ticularly useful for preclinical evaluation of vaccine candi- extends the Asian fossil record of anthropoids by 9-10 mil- dates in the current vaccine pipeline for two reasons. First, lion years. A phylogenetic analysis of 75 taxa and 343 the proposed strategy will eliminate suboptimal vaccine characters of the skull, postcranium, and dentition of An- candidates early in the testing process (i.e., before initia- thrasimias and living and fossil primates indicates the tion of phase I clinical trials). Second, the strategy would basal placement of Anthrasimias among eosimiids, con- provide comparative immune response data in NHPs and firms the anthropoid status of Eosimiidae, and suggests humans for each promising HIV-1 vaccine product, infor- that crown haplorhines (tarsiers and monkeys) are the sister mation that could help the design of future vaccine candi- clade of Omomyoidea of the Eocene, not nested within an dates.” omomyoid clade. Co-occurence of Anthropoidea, Omo- myoidea, and Adapoidea makes it evident that peninsular Evolution, Genetics, and Taxonomy India was an important center for the diversification of • A reconstruction of the Vienna skull of Hadropithecus primates of modern aspect (euprimates) in the early Eo- stenognathus. Ryan, T. M., Burney, D. A., Godfrey, L. R., cene. Adaptive reconstructions indicate that early anthro- Göhlich, U. B., Jungers, W. L., Vasey, N., Ramilisonina, poids were mouse-lemur-sized (≈75 grams) and consumed Walker, A., & Weber, G. W. (A. W., Dept of Anthropol- a mixed diet of fruit and insects. Eosimiids bear little ogy, Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA 16802 adaptive resemblance to later Eocene / early Oligocene [e-mail: [email protected]]). Proceedings of the National African Anthropoidea.” Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 2008, 105, 10699-10702. • Dental microwear and diet of the Plio-Pleistocene “Franz Sikora found the first specimen and type of the hominin Paranthropus boisei. Ungar, P. S., Grine, F. E., recently extinct Hadropithecus stenognathus in Madagas- & Teaford, M. F. (Dept of Anthropology, Univ. of Arkan- car in 1899 and sent it to Ludwig Lorenz von Liburnau of sas, Fayetteville, AK 72701 [e-mail: [email protected]]). the Austrian Imperial Academy of Sciences. Later, he sent PLoS ONE, 2008, 3(4): e2044, < several more specimens including a subadult skull that was www.plosone.org/ article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0002044>. described by Lorenz von Liburnau in 1902. In 2003, some “The Plio-Pleistocene hominin Paranthropus boisei of us excavated at the locality and found more specimens had enormous, flat, thickly enameled cheek teeth, a robust belonging to this species, including much of a subadult cranium and mandible, and inferred massive, powerful skeleton. Two frontal fragments were found, and these, chewing muscles. This specialized morphology, which together with most of the postcranial bones, belong to the earned P. boisei the nickname ‘Nutcracker Man’, suggests skull. CT scans of the skull and other jaw fragments were that this hominin could have consumed very mechanically made in Vienna and those of the frontal fragments at Penn challenging foods. It has been recently argued, however, State University. The two fragments have been reunited that specialized hominin morphology may indicate adapta- with the skull in silico, and broken parts from one side of tions for the consumption of occasional fallback foods the skull have been replaced virtually by mirror-imaged rather than preferred resources. Dental microwear offers a complete parts from the other side. The parts of the jaw of potential means by which to test this hypothesis in that it another individual of a slightly younger dental age have reflects actual use rather than genetic adaptation. High also been reconstructed virtually from CT scans with mir- microwear surface texture complexity and anisotropy in ror imaging and by using the maxillary teeth and tem- extant primates can be associated with the consumption of poromandibular joints as a guide to finish the reconstruc- exceptionally hard and tough foods respectively. Here we tion. Apart from forming a virtual skull for biomechanical present the first quantitative analysis of dental microwear and systematic analysis, we were also able to make a vir- for P. boisei. Seven specimens examined preserved unob- tual endocast. Missing anterior pieces were reconstructed scured antemortem molar microwear. These all show rela- by using part of an endocast of the related Archaeolemur tively low complexity and anisotropy values. This sug- majori. The volume is 115 ml. Hadropithecus and Ar- gests that none of the individuals consumed especially hard chaeolemur seem to have had relatively large brains com- or tough foods in the days before they died. The apparent pared with the other large-bodied subfossil lemurs.” discrepancy between microwear and functional anatomy is • The oldest Asian record of Anthropoidea. Bajpai, S., consistent with the idea that P. boisei presents a hominin Kay, R. F., Williams, B. A., Das, D. P., Kapur, V. V., & example of Liem’s Paradox, wherein a highly derived Tiwari, B. N. (R. F. K., Department of Evolutionary An- morphology need not reflect a specialized diet.”
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Instruments and Techniques II oocytes by laparoscopy from 22 superovulated mature females and then fertilized these eggs using either in vitro • Efficient reproduction of cynomolgus monkey using pro- fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, resulting nuclear embryo transfer technique. Sun, Q., Dong, J., in a 33.3% and a 50% fertilization rate, respectively. Yang, W., Jin, Y., Yang, M., Wang, Y., Wang, P. L., Hu, These 66 fertilized pronuclear-stage embryos were then Y., & Tsien, J. Z. (Yunnan Banna Primate Disease Model tubally transferred to 30 recipients and led to 7 births and 1 Research Center, East China Normal Univ., Shanghai abortion. Importantly, we observed that the highest live 200062, People’s Republic of China [e-mail: birth rate of ≈64% was obtained when the transfer of pro- [email protected]]). Proceedings of the National nuclear embryos was performed in the presence of new Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 2008, 105, 12956-12960. corpus luteum in the ovary of recipients between 24 h and “One of the technical bottlenecks in producing nonhu- 36 h after estradiol peak. Therefore, our experiments dem- man primate models is that current assisted reproductive onstrate that by matching the critical time window in the techniques, such as in vitro culture and frozen conservation recipient’s reproductive cycle for achieving optimal em- of multicell-stage embryos, often result in poor embryo bryo-uterine synchrony, pronuclear embryo transfer tech- quality and subsequently lead to low birth rates. We inves- nology can significantly improve the pregnancy rate and tigated whether pronuclear embryo transfer can be used as live birth of healthy baby monkeys. This efficient method an effective means for improving pregnancy and live birth should be valuable to the systematic efforts in construction rates of nonhuman primates. We collected 174 metaphase of various transgenic primate disease models.” * * * Awards Granted: IPS Student Competition Winners The International Primatological Society is pleased to • Best talk by a student from a primate origin country: congratulate the winners of the 2008 IPS Student Compe- Roger Boundja (Wildlife Conservation Society, Congo) tition for outstanding oral and poster presentations. • Poster presentations: • Oral presentations: 1st – Adriano Lameira (Utrecht, the Netherlands) – 1st – Jana Uher (Berlin, Germany) – Primate personal- Geographic variation in functionally equivalent ity: Theory, approaches and assessment methods calls in wild orangutans 2nd – Brooke Crowley (Santa Cruz, U.S.A.) – Unrav- 2nd – Tomoko Sakai (Inuyama, Japan) – Development eling the mysteries of the Malagasy megafauna: of the prefrontal area in chimpanzees Using stable isotopes to track ecological variability 3rd – Susanna Costa (Stirling, Scotland) – Social per- in extinct lemur communities across Madagascar ceptions of chimpanzees in Tombali (Guinea- 3rd – Amanda Melin (Calgary, Canada) – Foraging by Bissau) white-faced capuchin monkeys in Costa Rica: 4th – Jennifer Barnes (Yale University, U.S.A.) Considering polymorphic color vision 5th – Christian Schopf (Hannover, Germany) 4th – Catherine Workman (Duke University, U.S.A.) 5th – Federica Amici (Liverpool John Moores Univer- sity, U.K.) .* * * Nominations open for Research Awards BioMed Central has announced that nominations for Nominations via the Website are now being accepted the 3rd Annual Research Awards are now open. The and will close on 31 December 2008. Anyone who pub- awards, now in their third year and growing in popularity, lishes original research of major significance in one of recognize excellence in research that has been made uni- BioMed Central’s journals during 2008 is eligible for versally accessible by open access publication. The nomination. The winning articles are to be selected by a awards celebrate the best published research across medi- panel including BioMed Central editorial team members cal and biological science within any of BioMed Central’s and external experts in biology and medicine. The win- open access journals. To demonstrate the growing reputa- ners will be announced at the Annual BioMed Central tion of these awards, a new Website has been launched: Research Awards dinner being held in March, 2009.
23 CONTENTS
Articles and Notes Creating Housing to Meet the Behavioral Needs of Long-tailed Macaques, by C. D. Waitt, P. E. Honess, and M. Bushmitz ...... 1 Capturing and Handling Marmosets, by M. J. Donnelly ...... 6 News, Information, and Announcements Grants Available: Fyssen Foundation Postdoctoral Research Grants...... 8 Research and Educational Opportunities...... 8 Pain Management Seminar; Genetics, Immunology and Breeding Management; Assessment and Treatment of Animal Pain and Distress Workshop Announcements...... 10 Symposium on Environmental Enrichment; Prosimian Husbandry Workshop; The Primate Mind Resources Wanted and Available ...... 10 Bibliography of Refinement and Enrichment Update; Enrichment Device Manual News Briefs...... 10 Apes Get Legal Rights in Spain; DRC: Monkey Pox Kills 22 in Equateur Province; Oldest Gorilla in Captivity Dies in Dallas at 55; New Special Collections Librarian at Wisconsin NPRC Meeting Announcements ...... 12 Information Requested or Available...... 13 HSUS Changes Format; Care and Use of Animals in Field Research; More Interesting Websites Announcements from Publications...... 13 Elsevier Manuscripts Submission; African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Awards Granted: IPS Student Competition Winners...... 23 Nominations open for Research Awards...... 23 Departments Positions Available ...... 9 Lab Animal Clinical Veterinarian – North Carolina; Pathology/Comparative Medicine – North Carolina; NHP Research Support Coordinator – Pittsburgh Recent Books and Articles...... 14