Anatomical parameters of the body and the digestive tract of Callithrix sp. marmosets under the influence of seasonality

Due to the ecological importance and given the scarcity of studies on the digestive morphology of primates, anatomical aspects of the body and digestive tract, as well as food content were analysed for marmosets Callithrix sp. (hybrids of exotic species) captured in forest fragments in Minas Gerais - Brazil, during the dry and rainy seasons, considering that seasonal variations affect the availability of food and quality of diet. Data such as body weight and length, and thoracic and abdominal perimeters were analysed, and no significant difference was found between dry and rainy seasons. In relation to the digestive tract, length, weight and diameter of the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine were measured, in addition to the isolated caecum. There was a significant difference in the diameter of the ascending colon, which was larger in the animals in the dry season than in the rainy season. The difference found may be related to diet, and through analysis of the gastric and caecal contents, it was observed that gum was the main food item for the dry season marmosets, while in the rainy season the animals consumed mainly arthropods. Thus, the characteristic observed in the digestive tract of dry season marmosets is a reflection of an adaptive response to gum intake, since this food item is of low digestibility, necessitating that the food content be retained for a long time in this segment of the large intestine, helping the process of microbial fermentation and better energy utilization for these animals.     

Continuous infusion of propofol or intermittent bolus of tiletamine‐zolazepam in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)

ObjectiveTo investigate an infusion of propofol for anesthesia in comparison to tiletamine-zolazepam anesthesia, evaluating physiological variables and recovery in squirrel monkeys.Study designProspective non-blinded randomized study.AnimalsEight healthy squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), aged 3 years and weighing 0.340–0.695 kg.MethodsPremedication was intramuscular midazolam (0.5 mg) and meperidine (4 mg). Anesthesia was induced with intravenous (IV) propofol (4 mg kg^?1 minute^?1) and maintained with propofol starting at 0.4 mg kg^?1 minute^?1 (PRO, n = 4) or IV tiletamine-zolazepam (5 mg kg^?1) and maintained with supplementary doses of TZ (TZ, n = 4). Cardiopulmonary variables were measured continuously. Arterial blood gases and lactate concentration were measured at the end of anesthesia. Quality and times of recovery were determined. Repeatedly measured data for significant differences were tested between groups with t-test and within groups by anova.ResultsMedian time for induction of anesthesia in PRO was 180 seconds. Mean maintenance infusion rate of propofol was 0.43 ± 0.05 mg kg^?1 minute^?1, varying during the 1 hour period. One monkey died after administration of TZ; others required 1, 4, or 8 supplemental doses. Cardiopulmonary variables were similar between groups, but hypotension was recorded. Recovery times to ventral recumbency in PRO (32 ± 17 minutes) and TZ (84 ± 11 minutes) and normal ambulation in PRO (58 ± 22 minutes) and TZ (358 ± 109minutes) were significantly different (p < 0.05). Recovery quality was superior in PRO, with less ataxia and fewer unsuccessful attempts to stand. Lactate concentration was not different between treatments.Conclusions and clinical relevanceCardiopulmonary variables were similar between protocols, aside from the higher incidence of hypotension in PRO, indicating that further studies with a larger number of animals are required. Compared to tiletamine-zolazepam, propofol anesthesia provided faster and superior anesthetic recovery in these animals.     

Effect of the size of zona pellucida opening on hatching in the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) embryo

The use of the common marmoset monkey in biomedical research has increased recently, and further attention has been devoted to this model after the successful production of transgenic marmosets. To extend genetic engineering approaches to widespread biomedical research fields, efficient prolonged in vitro culturing of embryo development is necessary. We aimed to evaluate the effects of the size of the zona pellucida opening on promoting the hatching process in the marmoset embryo. Piezo‐microdrilling of a 6‐μm opening in eight embryos resulted in four partially hatched embryos and one hatched embryo after 5 days of culture. Piezo‐microdrilling a 20‐μm opening in 11 embryos resulted in nine partial hatchings and no hatched embryos. Piezo‐scraping an 80‐μm opening in six embryos resulted in no partially hatched embryos and five hatched embryos. These results suggest that an 80‐μm opening, rather than 6‐μm or 20‐μm openings, is suitable to complete the hatching process in the marmoset embryo.     

如何做好灵长类动物丰富度

介绍了如何做好灵长类动物丰富度的措施,通过开展丰富度研究,可以大大提高灵长类动物的生活质量,尽量使它们能表现出自然行为。     

Measurement of tear production in black‐tufted marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) using three different methods: modified Schirmer’s I,phenol red thread and standardized endodontic absorbent paper points

Objective: To report normal tear production of healthy adult black‐tufted marmosets and propose a novel alternative for the measurement of the aqueous portion of tear production in animals with small eyes. Animal studied: Black‐tufted marmosets (Callithrix penicillata). Procedures: Tear production of 19 animals was evaluated by the following methods: modified Schirmer’s I, phenol red thread and the novel use of standardized endodontic absorbent paper points. These methods and results were compared. Additionally, blink frequency and palpebral fissure length were measured. Results: Modified Schirmer’s test I, mean = ?0.46 ± 3.41 mm/min; Phenol red thread, mean = 13.27 ± 5.41 mm/15 s.; Standardized endodontic paper points, size 30, mean = 9.32 ± 3.09 mm/min; Mean palpebral fissure length = 7.83 ± 0.72 mm. Blink frequency, mean = 20.27 ± 5.92/5 min. Conclusions: Normal parameters for blink frequency, palpebral fissure length and tear production measurement are presented. The palpebral fissure of black‐tufted marmoset is very small and tear production is one of the lowest reported for all animal species. A novel and practical alternative for tear production measurement using standardized endodontic absorbent paper points is presented and is indicated for animals with small eyes.     

灵长类野生动物生境选择的时空研究综述

从灵长类生境选择的不同尺度入手,综述了国内外在对灵长类生境选择中的时间和空间尺度的研究,对生境的季节性和微观、宏观生境的各方面以及生境破碎化对灵长类生境利用的影响研究等进行了综述．     

非人灵长类动物电刺激采精与精液冷冻保存技术的利用现状

辅助生殖技术在非人灵长类动物上有重要的应用价值,获得高品质精液是有效开展辅助生殖研究工作的基本前提。电刺激采精与精液冷冻保存技术是目前获得高品质非人灵长类动物精液的重要手段。本综述在广泛参阅国内外研究成果的基础上,对当前非人灵长类动物电刺激采精与精液冷冻保存技术的利用现状进行整理和论述,旨在为将来开展非人灵长类动物的辅助生殖技术研究提供参考。     

A short note on seed dispersal by colobines: the case of the proboscis monkey

Although the role of primates in seed dispersal is generally well recognized, this is not the case for colobines, which are widely distributed in Asian and African tropical forests. Colobines consume leaves, seeds and fruits, usually unripe. A group of proboscis monkeys (Colobinae, Nasalis larvatus) consisting of 1 alpha‐male, 6 adult females and several immatures, was observed from May 2005 to May 2006. A total of 400 fecal samples from focal group members covering 13 months were examined, with over 3500 h of focal observation data on the group members in a forest along the Menanggul River, Sabah, Malaysia. Intact small seeds were only found in 23 of 71 samples in Nov 2005, 15 of 38 in Dec 2005 and 5 of 21 in Mar 2006. Seeds of Ficus (all <1.5 mm in length) were found in all 3 months and seeds from Antidesma thwaitesianum (all <3 mm) and Nauclea subdita (all <2 mm) only in Nov and Dec, which was consistent with members of the study group consuming fruits of these species mostly at these times. To our knowledge, these are the first records of seeds in the fecal samples of colobines. Even if colobines pass relatively few seeds intact, their high abundance and biomass could make them quantitatively significant in seed dispersal. The potential role of colobines as seed dispersers should be considered by colobine researchers.     

Living With Urban Baboons: Exploring Attitudes and Their Implications for Local Baboon Conservation and Management in Knysna,South Africa

Humans and primates are coming into increasing contact within urban landscapes. Few studies have investigated how the impacts of living alongside urban primates affect residents’ perceptions of primates. Perceptions have been shown to play a role in conservation interest and management of other urban wildlife species. A survey of suburban residents in Knysna, South Africa was used to explore the relationships between attitudes, level of perceived threat and extent to which baboons were considered a problem, support for local baboon conservation and preferred baboon management strategies. Results indicated that perceived threat was associated with less positive attitudes toward baboons, a greater perceived problem, decreased concern for baboon conservation, and increased advocacy for their lethal removal. This article illustrates the link between respondent perceptions and acceptance of urban primates and the need for further investigation for the wellbeing of both humans and primates.