Publications

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intraspecific macroscopic digestive anatomy of ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta), including a comparison of frozen and formalin-stored specimens.digestive tract measurements are often considered species specific, but little information exists on the degree to which they change during ontogeny within a species. additionally, access to anatomical material from nondomestic species is often limited, with fixed tissues possibly representing the only available source, though the degree to which this material is representative in terms of dimensions and weight is debatable. in the present study, the macroscopic anatomy of the digestive tract (l ...202033180215
the lemur baseline: how lemurs compare to monkeys and apes in the primate cognition test battery.primates have relatively larger brains than other mammals even though brain tissue is energetically costly. comparative studies of variation in cognitive skills allow testing of evolutionary hypotheses addressing socioecological factors driving the evolution of primate brain size. however, data on cognitive abilities for meaningful interspecific comparisons are only available for haplorhine primates (great apes, old- and new world monkeys) although strepsirrhine primates (lemurs and lorises) ser ...202033024643
long-term management of congestive heart failure secondary to mitral stenosis in a ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta).a 15-year-old sexually intact female ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta) was evaluated for a heart murmur and progressive radiographic cardiomegaly.202033021447
genetic population structure of endangered ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) from nine sites in southern madagascar.madagascar's ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) are experiencing rapid population declines due to ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as increasing exploitation for bushmeat and the illegal pet trade. despite being the focus of extensive and ongoing behavioral studies, there is comparatively little known about the genetic population structuring of the species. here, we present the most comprehensive population genetic analysis of ring-tailed lemurs to date from across their likely rema ...202032788959
food preferences and nutrient composition in zoo-housed ring-tailed lemurs, lemur catta.the aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence of spontaneous food preferences in zoo-housed ring-tailed lemurs and to analyze whether these preferences correlate with nutrient composition. using a two-alternative choice test three female and one male lemur catta were repeatedly presented with all possible binary combinations of 12 types of food which are part of their diet in captivity and found to display the following rank order of preference: apple > sweet potato > melon > beetroo ...202032771504
affiliative contact calls during group travel: chirp and wail vocalization use in the male ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta).affiliative vocalizations occur across primate taxa and may be used to maintain spatial cohesion and/or to regulate social interactions in group-living species. for gregarious strepsirhines like the ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta), with large vocal repertoires and several distinct affiliative vocalizations including the chirp and wail, it is important to understand behavioural usage of these vocalizations to gain insight into their social interactions. to determine whether chirp and wail vocaliz ...202032756063
social influences on food avoidance in lemur catta.previous primate research has demonstrated social learning related to accepting novel foods, but little evidence suggests social learning of food avoidance. ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta)have been observed to shake their heads rapidly in response to sour and bitter stimuli. this study investigated whether this head-shaking behavior may have a social function. the experiment presented a performing lemur with two items of the same type of fruit, one of which had been manipulated to take on a sou ...202032726785
combination of intramuscular alfaxalone, butorphanol, and midazolam as a novel immobilization protocol in 3 ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta).there is very little data on the optimal anaesthetic management of ring-tailed lemurs, and the available information is mostly based on extrapolation from other species. in addition, a thorough pre-anaesthetic assessment of lemurs might not be possible without prior chemical immobilization, making a safe immobilization protocol essential.202032551091
thoracic radiography and transthoracic echocardiography in clinically healthy ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta).cardiac disease has been recognized as a major cause of death in captive nonhuman primates, which necessitates diagnostic (imaging) techniques to screen for and diagnose preclinical and clinical stages of possible cardiac conditions. echocardiography is currently the most commonly used diagnostic tool for evaluation of cardiac anatomy and function. complete with thoracic radiography and blood levels of two cardiac biomarkers, n-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (nt-probnp) and cardiac tropon ...202032549560
stable and transient structural variation in lemur vaginal, labial and axillary microbiomes: patterns by species, body site, ovarian hormones and forest access.host-associated microbiomes shape and are shaped by myriad processes that ultimately delineate their symbiotic functions. whereas a host's stable traits, such as its lineage, relate to gross aspects of its microbiome structure, transient factors, such as its varying physiological state, relate to shorter term, structural variation. our understanding of these relationships in primates derives principally from anthropoid studies and would benefit from a broader, comparative perspective. we thus ex ...202032401310
key male glandular odorants attracting female ring-tailed lemurs.among rodents, information about the external world is mainly acquired via the olfactory system, which is one of five sensory modalities. several semiochemical signals are used for inter- and intraspecies communication [1]. in contrast, primates are generally regarded as vision-oriented mammals, and have been thought to trade their olfactory sensitivity for good sight. however, strepsirrhines have a well-developed olfactory system [2] and a larger repertoire of functional olfactory and vomeronas ...202032302584
do lemurs know when they could be wrong? an investigation of information seeking in three species of lemur (lemur catta, eulemur rubriventer, and varecia variegata).a total of 16 lemurs, including representatives from three species (lemur catta, eulemur rubriventer, and varecia variegata), were presented with a food-seeking task in which information about the rewards location, in one of two plastic tubes, was either known or not known. we evaluated whether lemurs would first look into the tube before making a choice. this information-seeking task aimed to assess whether subjects would display memory awareness, seeking additional information when they became ...202032011154
lemur catta in small forest fragments: which variables best predict population viability?habitat fragmentation is an increasingly serious issue affecting primates in most regions where they are found today. populations of lemur catta (ring-tailed lemur) in madagascar's south-central region are increasingly restricted to small, isolated forest fragments, surrounded by grasslands or small-scale agriculture. our aim was to evaluate the potential for population viability of l. catta in nine forest fragments of varying sizes (2-46 ha, population range: 6-210 animals) in south-central mad ...202032003047
molecular characterization of trichuris spp. from captive animals based on mitochondrial markers.monoxenous parasites may easily infect animals in captivity, and nematodes belonging to the genus trichuris are commonly reported in zoological gardens worldwide. infections in captive animals should be accurately monitored and the characterization of pathogens is highly advisable, as a tool to infer possible routes of intra- and interspecific transmission pathways and to assess the related zoonotic potential. whipworms are usually identified on the basis of few morphological features of adults ...202031881362
gibbons exploit information about what a competitor can see.how much nonhuman animals understand about seeing has been the focus of comparative cognition research for decades. many social primates (and other species) are sensitive to cues about what others can and cannot see. whether this sensitivity evolved in primates through shared descent or convergent evolution remains unclear. the current study tested gibbons-the apes that are least studied yet most distantly related to humans and one of the less social primates-in two food-competition tasks. speci ...202031781885
getting into shape: limb bone strength in perinatal lemur catta and propithecus coquereli.functional studies of skeletal anatomy are predicated on the fundamental assumption that form will follow function. for instance, previous studies have shown that the femora of specialized leaping primates are more robust than those of more generalized primate quadrupeds. are such differences solely a plastic response to differential loading patterns during postnatal life, or might they also reflect more canalized developmental mechanisms present at birth? here, we show that perinatal lemur catt ...202030548126
comparison of the glucocorticoid concentrations between three species of lemuridae kept in a temporary housing facility.we compared the glucocorticoid concentrations in response to various types of potential stressors present during standard operation of a temporary housing facility between three species, namely, ring-tailed lemurs, collared brown lemurs and white-headed lemurs. the levels of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fgms) were measured non-invasively on a daily basis during a 30-day period. a total of 510 faecal samples were collected. concentrations of immunoreactive glucocorticoid hormone metabolites ...202032532091
eulerian videography technology improves classification of sleep architecture in primates.sleep is a critically important dimension of primate behavior, ecology, and evolution, yet primate sleep is under-studied because current methods of analyzing sleep are expensive, invasive, and time-consuming. in contrast to electroencephalography (eeg) and actigraphy, videography is a cost-effective and non-invasive method to study sleep architecture in animals. with video data, however, it is challenging to score subtle changes that occur in different sleep states, and technology has lagged be ...201931456082
genetic variation at mhc class ii loci influences both olfactory signals and scent discrimination in ring-tailed lemurs.diversity at the major histocompatibility complex (mhc) is critical to health and fitness, such that mhc genotype may predict an individual's quality or compatibility as a competitor, ally, or mate. moreover, because mhc products can influence the components of bodily secretions, an individual's body odors may signal its mhc composition and influence partner identification or mate choice. here, we investigated mhc-based signaling and recipient sensitivity by testing for odor-gene covariance and ...201931438845
organizational and activational androgens, lemur social play, and the ontogeny of female dominance.the role of androgens in shaping "masculine" traits in males is a core focus in behavioral endocrinology, but relatively little is known about an androgenic role in female aggression and social dominance. in mammalian models of female dominance, including the ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta), links to androgens in adulthood are variable. we studied the development of ring-tailed lemurs to address the behavioral basis and ontogenetic mechanisms of female dominance. we measured behavior and serum a ...201931276664
a natural point mutation in the bitter taste receptor tas2r16 causes inverse agonism of arbutin in lemur gustation.bitter taste enables the detection of potentially harmful substances and is mediated by bitter taste receptors, tas2rs, in vertebrates. few antagonists and inverse agonists of tas2rs have been identified, especially natural compounds. tas2r16s in humans, apes and old world monkeys (catarrhini, anthropoidea) recognize β-glucoside analogues as specific agonists. here, we investigated responses of tas2r16 to β-glucosides in non-anthropoid primates, namely lemurs (lemuriformes, strepsirrhini). salic ...201931161904
illegal trade of wild-captured lemur catta within madagascar.lemur catta is the most reported illegal captive lemur. we document 286 l. catta that were held in illegal captive conditions in madagascar. coastal tourist destinations are "hot spots" for sightings. many of the l. catta reported were in businesses (49%) and were perceived to be held captive for the purpose of generating income (41%). infant/juvenile l. catta were overwhelmingly observed annually in december (41%) and may suffer high mortality rates given that they are not weaned during this mo ...201931067551
heteropaternity of twins in ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta).this project investigated paternity among 14 sets of twins born into a colony of ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) on st. catherines island, ga. female l. catta commonly mate with >1 male, and twins of different sexes confirm that dizygotic twinning can occur in this species. however, no study has previously evaluated twins using genetic data to measure the proportion of mono versus dizygotic twinning in l. catta, and no study has tested for heteropaternity (sirehood by two different males) in th ...201930951607
captive ring-tailed lemur breeding in semi-free ranging conditions and genetic parentage analysis.the ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta), one of the most iconic and widely recognized primates in the world, is threatened in its native range and classified as endangered by the international union for conservation of nature. the global conservation strategy for the species includes ex situ conservation efforts led by zoological institutions in the framework of regional captive breeding programs. to maximize the conservation of genetic diversity and optimize breeding programs, an accurate pedigree ...201930888079
pitch control and speed limitation during overground deceleration in lemurid primates.an animal's fitness is influenced by the ability to move safely through its environment. recent models have shown that aspects of body geometry, for example, limb length and center of mass (com) position, appear to set limits for pitch control in cursorial quadrupeds. models of pitch control predict that the body shape of these and certain other primates, with short forelimbs and posteriorly positioned com, should allow them to decelerate rapidly while minimizing the risk of pitching forward. we ...201930653715
a viral video and pet lemurs on twitter.content shared on social media platforms can impact public perceptions of wildlife. these perceptions, which are in part shaped by context (e.g. non-naturalistic setting, presence of a human), can influence people's desires to interact with or acquire wild animals as pets. however, few studies have examined whether this holds true for wild animals featured in viral videos. this study reports on opportunistic data collected on twitter before, during, and after a video that featured a habituated r ...201930625137
curious creatures: a multi-taxa investigation of responses to novelty in a zoo environment.the personality trait of curiosity has been shown to increase welfare in humans. if this positive welfare effect is also true for non-humans, animals with high levels of curiosity may be able to cope better with stressful situations than their conspecifics. before discoveries can be made regarding the effect of curiosity on an animal's ability to cope in their environment, a way of measuring curiosity across species in different environments must be created to standardise testing. to determine t ...201829568703
mycobacterium leprae genomes from naturally infected nonhuman primates.leprosy is caused by the bacterial pathogens mycobacterium leprae and mycobacterium lepromatosis. apart from humans, animals such as nine-banded armadillos in the americas and red squirrels in the british isles are naturally infected with m. leprae. natural leprosy has also been reported in certain nonhuman primates, but it is not known whether these occurrences are due to incidental infections by human m. leprae strains or by m. leprae strains specific to nonhuman primates. in this study, compl ...201829381722
energy (im-)balance in frugivorous lemurs in southern madagascar: a preliminary study in lemur catta and eulemur rufifrons × collaris.the reproductive cycle of several lemur species is synchronized by photoperiodic changes and it is attuned to the seasonal fluctuations in food supply. nevertheless, irregular periods of food shortage occur in madagascar, which can result in a negative energy balance and reduced fitness, especially in frugivorous species. here, we tested whether ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) and brown lemurs (eulemur rufifrons × collaris) use fat stores to maintain their energy balance in a gallery forest of ...201830286458
systemic yersinia pseudotuberculosis as a cause of osteomyelitis in a captive ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta).yersinia pseudotuberculosis and yersinia enterocolitica are ubiquitous pathogens with wildlife and domestic animal reservoirs. outbreaks of 'non-plague' yersiniosis in man and non-human primates are reported frequently (including zoological specimens and research breeding colonies) and are usually characterized by enteritis, mesenteric lymphadenitis and occasionally organ abscessation. in people, non-septic reactive arthritis is a common sequela to yersiniosis. however, there have been rare repo ...201830360909
do forelimb shape and peak forces co-vary in strepsirrhines?in this study, we explore whether ground reaction forces recorded during horizontal walking co-vary with the shape of the long bones of the forelimb in strepsirrhines. to do so, we quantify (1) the shape of the shaft and articular surfaces of each long bone of the forelimb, (2) the peak vertical, mediolateral, and horizontal ground reaction forces applied by the forelimb during arboreal locomotion, and (3) the relationship between the shape of the forelimb and peak forces.201830159895
instrumental problem-solving abilities in three lemur species (microcebus murinus, varecia variegata, and lemur catta).apes and some new and old world monkeys (i.e., haplorhine primates) are known to routinely use tools. in strepsirrhine primates (i.e., lemurs and lorises), no tool use has been reported, even though they appear to have some basic understanding of the spatial relations required for using a pulling tool. to facilitate direct comparisons of the underlying abilities between haplorhine and strepsirrhine primate species, we experimentally examined instrumental problem-solving abilities in three captiv ...201830080072
restating the case for a sharp population decline in lemur catta.as with many other species in the primate order, ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) are threatened with extinction. our articles documented declines in wild ring-tailed lemur populations and noted that fewer than 2,500 wild ring-tailed lemurs are known to persist in 32 [gould and sauther: primate conservation 2016; 30: 89-101] and 34 [lafleur et al.: folia primatologica 2017; 87: 320-330] sites. a criticism of our articles [murphy et al.: international journal of primatology 2017; 38: 623-628] sug ...201830045037
costs of injury for scent signalling in a strepsirrhine primate.honesty is crucial in animal communication when signallers are conveying information about their condition. condition dependence implies a cost to signal production; yet, evidence of such cost is scarce. we examined the effects of naturally occurring injury on the quality and salience of olfactory signals in ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta). over a decade, we collected genital secretions from 23 (13 male, 10 female) adults across 34 unique injuries, owing primarily to intra-group fights. using g ...201829959333
sex-typed social development in lemur catta.strong chemical control of strepsirrhine mating behaviour when compared to haplorhines might suggest that strepsirrhine behavioural development, generally, is under stronger somatic control. a comparative lack of reported behavioural sex differences in immature strepsirrhines would seem to support this hypothesis, but the recent discovery of sex differences in juvenile foraging behaviour in lemur catta suggests that this difference might be an artefact of undersampling in strepsirrhines. here, i ...201829734175
behavioral responses of three lemur species to different food enrichment devices.environmental enrichment is a tool used to promote the welfare and well-being of captive animals by encouraging the display of species-specific behaviors and reducing the stress or boredom induced by captive environments. lemurs are highly endangered, yet few studies have analyzed the behavioral impacts of enrichment on captive populations. we studied the impacts of two novel enrichment devices on three lemur species (ring-tailed lemurs [lemur catta], red-ruffed lemurs [varecia rubra], and coque ...201829722911
knowledgeable lemurs become more central in social networks.strong relationships exist between social connections and information transmission [1-9], where individuals' network position plays a key role in whether or not they acquire novel information [2, 3, 5, 6]. the relationships between social connections and information acquisition may be bidirectional if learning novel information, in addition to being influenced by it, influences network position. individuals who acquire information quickly and use it frequently may receive more affiliative behavi ...201829628372
alfaxalone anaesthesia in lemur catta following dexmedetomidine-butorphanol-midazolam sedation.to evaluate the clinical effects and quality of sedation, induction, maintenance and recovery in lemur catta after dexmedetomidine-butorphanol-midazolam sedation and alfaxalone anaesthesia.201829625917
age-related changes in hematology and blood biochemistry values in endangered, wild ring-tailed lemurs ( lemur catta) at the bezà mahafaly special reserve, madagascar.the health of 44 wild ring-tailed lemurs ( lemur catta) at the bezà mahafaly special reserve was assessed across three age classes: <5 yr (young), 5-9 yr (adult), and ≥10 yr (old). hematology and biochemistry tests were performed manually (leukocyte count and differential, packed cell volume, total protein) and using a point-of-care analyzer (hematocrit, hemoglobin, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, ionized calcium, total carbon dioxide, anion gap), respectiv ...201829517441
functional morphology of mimetic musculature in primates: how social variables and body size stack up to phylogeny.mammalian skeletal muscle is influenced by the functional demands placed upon it. functional morphology of facial expression musculature, or mimetic musculature, is largely unknown. recently, primate mimetic musculature has been shown to respond to demands associated with social factors. body size has also been demonstrated to affect many aspects of primate functional morphology and evolutionary morphology. the present study was designed to further examine the role of social variables and body s ...201829330949
the distribution of ki-67 and doublecortin-immunopositive cells in the brains of three strepsirrhine primates: galago demidoff, perodicticus potto, and lemur catta.this study investigated the pattern of adult neurogenesis throughout the brains of three prosimian primate species using immunohistochemical techniques for endogenous markers of this neural process. two species, galago demidoff and perodicticus potto, were obtained from wild populations in the primary rainforest of central africa, while one species, lemur catta, was captive-bred. two brains from each species, perfusion-fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, were sectioned (50 µm section thickness) in s ...201829289719
the effect of extreme weather events on hair cortisol and body weight in a wild ring-tailed lemur population (lemur catta) in southwestern madagascar.madagascar is known for its hypervariable climate with periodic droughts and cyclones, but little is known of the impact of such events on lemur physiology. we examined the effects of sequential weather periods, drought, normal, cyclone and post-cyclone, on hair cortisol concentrations (hcc) and body weight in wild ring-tailed lemurs, lemur catta (n = 185), at the bezà mahafaly special reserve in southwestern madagascar. data were modeled and analyzed by sex, age, and troop. given the ecological ...201829266407
the effects of olfactory stimulation on the behavior of captive ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta).ring-tailed lemurs reside in many animal collections worldwide. lemur welfare may be a cause of concern due to some captive individuals exhibiting stereotypic behavior. despite these concerns, there has been little exploration of methods of environmental enrichment for ring-tailed lemurs. olfactory stimulation can enhance captive animal welfare by encouraging species-typical behaviors, enhancing behavioral diversity, and decreasing stereotypic behaviors. we aimed to investigate the effects of ol ...201829239483
bamboo specialists from two mammalian orders (primates, carnivora) share a high number of low-abundance gut microbes.bamboo specialization is one of the most extreme examples of convergent herbivory, yet it is unclear how this specific high-fiber diet might selectively shape the composition of the gut microbiome compared to host phylogeny. to address these questions, we used deep sequencing to investigate the nature and comparative impact of phylogenetic and dietary selection for specific gut microbial membership in three bamboo specialists-the bamboo lemur (hapalemur griseus, primates: lemuridae), giant panda ...201829188302
benign bilateral adenomyoepithelioma of the mammary gland in a ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta).naturally occurring mammary tumours are uncommon in prosimians. a 20-year-old female ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta) developed bilateral enlargement of the mammary glands. surgical removal revealed that both masses were comprised of multiple nodules and cystic areas that entirely replaced the normal glands. histologically, a benign neoplastic biphasic cellular proliferation, composed of luminal-epithelial and basal-myoepithelial components, was identified. immunohistochemical analysis for expres ...201828942309
the use of atracurium in an anaesthetized ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta). 201729174962
"stink flirting" in ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta): male olfactory displays to females as honest, costly signals.sexual selection for honest behavioral displays of quality has driven the development of remarkably complex courtship behavior in many animal species. olfactory displays are often overlooked as an area of inquiry compared to auditory and visual displays. ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta) scent marking of substrates has been studied extensively, although the male olfactory displays of anointing and wafting tails to females has received relatively little attention. we studied the role of male olfact ...201729140563
genetic wealth, population health: major histocompatibility complex variation in captive and wild ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta).across species, diversity at the major histocompatibility complex (mhc) is critical to individual disease resistance and, hence, to population health; however, mhc diversity can be reduced in small, fragmented, or isolated populations. given the need for comparative studies of functional genetic diversity, we investigated whether mhc diversity differs between populations which are open, that is experiencing gene flow, versus populations which are closed, that is isolated from other populations. ...201729043021
modeling individual vocal differences in group-living lemurs using vocal tract morphology.vocal individuality is widespread in social animals. individual variation in vocalizations is a prerequisite for discriminating among conspecifics and may have facilitated the evolution of large complex societies. ring-tailed lemurs lemur catta live in relatively large social groups, have conspicuous vocal repertoires, and their species-specific utterances can be interpreted in light of source-filter theory of vocal production. indeed, their utterances allow individual discrimination and even re ...201729492006
distribution of interstitial telomeric sequences in primates and the pygmy tree shrew (scandentia).it has been hypothesized that interstitial telomeric sequences (itss), i.e., repeated telomeric dna sequences found at intrachromosomal sites in many vertebrates, could be correlated to chromosomal rearrangements and plasticity. to test this hypothesis, we hybridized a telomeric pna probe through fish on representative species of 2 primate infraorders, strepsirrhini (lemur catta, otolemur garnettii, nycticebus coucang) and catarrhini (erythrocebus patas, cercopithecus petaurista, chlorocebus aet ...201728423373
minimum alveolar concentration and cardiopulmonary effects of isoflurane in ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta).the goal of this study was to determine the minimum alveolar concentration (mac) and cardiopulmonary effects of isoflurane in ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta). the mac of isoflurane was determined by using a tail-clamp stimulus in adult ring-tailed lemurs (6 male, 4 female). once mac was determined, another group of 10 adult ring-tailed lemurs (5 male, 5 female) were anesthetized and instrumented similarly as the previous group and maintained at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 times mac for 15 min each with ...201728724495
fatal pulmonary cysticercosis caused by cysticercus longicollis in a captive ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta).here we describe fatal pulmonary cysticercosis caused by cysticercus longicollis, the larval stage of taenia crassiceps in a 15-year-old female ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta) from sarajevo zoo. after sudden death, the lemur was subjected to necropsy and large multicystic structure, subdivided with fibrous septa and filled with numerous translucent, oval to ellipsoid bladder-like cysts (cysticerci), almost completely replacing right lung lobe was observed. in addition, numerous free and encysted ...201728579023
the effects of environmental and visitor variables on the behavior of free-ranging ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) in captivity.the effect of the zoo environment on captive animals is an increasingly studied area of zoo research, with visitor effects and exhibit design recognized as two of the factors that can contribute to animal welfare in captivity. it is known that in some situations, visitors may be stressful to zoo-housed primates, and this may be compounded by environmental factors such as the weather, the time of day, and zoo husbandry routines. exhibit design and proximity of the public are also known to influen ...201728547779
minimum alveolar concentration and cardiopulmonary effects of isoflurane in ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta).the goal of this study was to determine the minimum alveolar concentration (mac) and cardiopulmonary effects of isofluranein ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta). the mac of isoflurane was determined by using a tail-clamp stimulus in adultring-tailed lemurs (6 male, 4 female). once mac was determined, another group of 10 adult ring-tailed lemurs (5 male, 5female) were anesthetized and instrumented similarly as the previous group and maintained at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 times macfor 15 min each with no e ...201728524022
synthetic smooth muscle in the outer blood plexus of the rhinarium skin of lemur catta l.the skin of the lemur nose tip (rhinarium) has arterioles in the outer vascular plexus that are endowed with an unusual coat of smooth muscle cells. comparison with the arterioles of the same area in a number of unrelated mammalians shows that the lemur pattern is unique. the vascular smooth muscle cells belong to the synthetic type. the function of synthetic smooth muscles around the terminal vessels in the lemur rhinarium is unclear but may have additional functions beyond regulation of vessel ...201728260706
draft genome sequence of bifidobacterium lemurum dsm 28807(t) isolated from the gastrointestinal tracts of ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta).bifidobacterium lemurum dsm 28807(t) was isolated from the gastrointestinal tracts of ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta). here, we report the first draft genome sequence of this organism.201728232445
relationships between steroid hormones in hair and social behaviour in ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta).relationships between the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axes and social behaviour in primates are complex. by using hair to quantify steroid hormones, one can obtain retrospective estimates of long-term free hormone levels from a single sample. in this study, hair was used to quantify long-term levels of cortisol, testosterone, and estradiol among members of a colony of ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) to explore associations between intra- and intersexual lev ...201727544195
highly variable streptococcus oralis strains are common among viridans streptococci isolated from primates.viridans streptococci were obtained from primates (great apes, rhesus monkeys, and ring-tailed lemurs) held in captivity, as well as from free-living animals (chimpanzees and lemurs) for whom contact with humans is highly restricted. isolates represented a variety of viridans streptococci, including unknown species. streptococcus oralis was frequently isolated from samples from great apes. genotypic methods revealed that most of the strains clustered on separate lineages outside the main cluster ...201727303717
activity patterns in seven captive lemur species: evidence of cathemerality in varecia and lemur catta?cathemerality, or activity throughout the 24-hr cycle, is rare in primates yet relatively common among lemurs. however, the diverse ecological conditions under which cathemerality is expressed complicates attempts to identify species-typical behavior. for example, lemur catta and varecia have historically been described as diurnal, yet recent studies suggest that they might exhibit cathemeral behavior under some conditions. to investigate this variation, we monitored activity patterns among lemu ...201728257553
illegal captive lemurs in madagascar: comparing the use of online and in-person data collection methods.although it is illegal to capture, sell, and trade lemurs, the live capture of lemurs in madagascar is ongoing and may have impacted over 28,000 lemurs between 2010 and 2013. only one study has examined this trade and did so using in-person interviews in northern madagascar. the current study sought to expand this existing dataset and examine the comparability of online surveys to more traditional on-location data collection methods. in this study, we collected data through a web-based survey re ...201626927567
the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) and aye-ayes (daubentonia madagascariensis).to determine the minimum alveolar concentration (mac) of sevoflurane for ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) and aye-ayes (daubentonia madagascariensis).201625929742
fatal echinococcosis in three lemurs in the united kingdom--a case series.tapeworms of the genus echinococcus reside in the small intestine of a number of carnivorous species, predominantly canids. in enzootic areas, hydatidosis caused by taeniid metacestodes can present a significant problem in accidental intermediate hosts, including humans. whereas the united kingdom is currently considered free of echinococcus multilocularis, echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) and echinococcus equinus are endemic in the uk and have been reported in a variety of captive m ...201626872922
surveillance and management of echinococcus multilocularis in a wildlife park.the fox tapeworm echinococcus multilocularis is the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis, a severe zoonotic disease that may be fatal if untreated. a broad spectrum of mammalian species may be accidentally infected even in captivity. in april 2011, liver lesions due to e. multilocularis were observed during the necropsy of a captive-born nutria (myocastor coypus) in a french wildlife park, leading to initiation of a study to survey the parasite's presence in the park. a comparable environm ...201626780546
bifidobacterium. eulemuris sp. nov. isolated from the faeces of the black lemur (eulemur macaco).forty strains of bifidobacteria were isolated from the faeces of two adult subjects of black lemur, eulemur macaco. twenty-five were identified as bifidobacterium lemurum, the novel species recently described in lemur catta. all other isolates resulted gram-positive-staining, non-spore-forming, fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase positive, microaerophilic, irregular rod-shaped bacteria that often resembled y or v shapes cells. typing techniques revealed these isolates were nearly identical and ...201626823373
radiographic and ultrasonographic abdominal anatomy in captive ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta).the ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta) is primarily distributed in south and southwestern madagascar. it is classified as an endangered species by the international union for conservation of nature. various abdominal diseases, such as hepatic lipidosis, intestinal ulcers, cystitis, urinary tract obstruction, and neoplasia (e.g., colonic adenocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma), have been reported in this species. the aim of this study was to describe the normal radiographic and ultrasonographic abdom ...201627468031
host age, social group, and habitat type influence the gut microbiota of wild ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta).the gut microbiota contributes to host health by maintaining homeostasis, increasing digestive efficiency, and facilitating the development of the immune system. the composition of the gut microbiota can change dramatically within and between individuals of a species as a result of diet, age, or habitat. therefore, understanding the factors determining gut microbiota diversity and composition can contribute to our knowledge of host ecology as well as to conservation efforts. here we use high-thr ...201627177345
mix it and fix it: functions of composite olfactory signals in ring-tailed lemurs.animals communicating via scent often deposit composite signals that incorporate odorants from multiple sources; however, the function of mixing chemical signals remains understudied. we tested both a 'multiple-messages' and a 'fixative' hypothesis of composite olfactory signalling, which, respectively, posit that mixing scents functions to increase information content or prolong signal longevity. our subjects-adult, male ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta)-have a complex scent-marking repertoire, ...201627152222
hand preference on unimanual and bimanual tasks in strepsirrhines: the case of the ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta).assessing manual lateralization in non-human primates could be an optimal way to understand the adaptive value of this asymmetry in humans. though many studies have investigated hand preferences in old and new world monkeys and apes, fewer studies have considered manual lateralization in strepsirrhines, especially in experimental tasks. this study investigated hand preferences for a unimanual and a bimanual task of 17 captive ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta), housed at parco natura viva (vr), it ...201627078687
patterns of quadrupedal locomotion in a vertical clinging and leaping primate (propithecus coquereli) with implications for understanding the functional demands of primate quadrupedal locomotion.many primates exhibit a suite of characteristics that distinguish their quadrupedal gaits from non-primate mammals including the use of a diagonal sequence gait, a relatively protracted humerus at touchdown, and relatively high peak vertical forces on the hindlimbs compared to the forelimbs. these characteristics are thought to have evolved together in early, small-bodied primates possibly in response to the mechanical demands of navigating and foraging in a complex arboreal environment. it rema ...201627062049
next-generation genotyping of hypervariable loci in many individuals of a non-model species: technical and theoretical implications.across species, diversity at the major histocompatibility complex (mhc) is critical to disease resistance and population health; however, use of mhc diversity to quantify the genetic health of populations has been hampered by the extreme variation found in mhc genes. next generation sequencing (ngs) technology generates sufficient data to genotype even the most diverse species, but workflows for distinguishing artifacts from alleles are still under development. we used ngs to evaluate the mhc di ...201626957424
is wounding aggression in zoo-housed chimpanzees and ring-tailed lemurs related to zoo visitor numbers?chimpanzees in laboratory colonies experience more wounds on weekdays than on weekends, which has been attributed to the increased number of people present during the week; thus, the presence of more people was interpreted as stressful. if this were also true for primates in zoos, where high human presence is a regular feature, this would clearly be of concern. here we examine wounding rates in two primate species (chimpanzees pan troglodytes and ring-tailed lemurs lemur catta) at three differen ...201626928968
behavioral thermoregulation in lemur catta: the significance of sunning and huddling behaviors.regulation of body temperature poses significant problems for organisms that inhabit environments with extreme and seasonally fluctuating ambient temperatures. to help alleviate the energetic costs of autonomic responses, these organisms often thermoregulate through behavioral mechanisms. among primates, lemurs in madagascar experience uncharacteristically seasonal and unpredictable climates relative to other primate-rich regions. malagasy primates are physiologically flexible, but different spe ...201626890578
rapid decrease in populations of wild ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) in madagascar.lemurs are the most threatened group of mammals on earth. lemur catta (ring-tailed lemur) represents one of the most iconic lemur species and faces numerous anthropogenic threats in the wild. in this study, we present population estimates from 32 sites across the range of l. catta, collected from primary and secondary data sources, to assess the number of ring-tailed lemurs left in the wild. we estimate that there are approximately 2,220 individual l. catta remaining in the 32 sites considered. ...201628081528
paternity in wild ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta): implications for male mating strategies.in group-living species with male dominance hierarchies where receptive periods of females do not overlap, high male reproductive skew would be predicted. however, the existence of female multiple mating and alternative male mating strategies can call into question single-male monopolization of paternity in groups. ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) are seasonally breeding primates that live in multi-male, multi-female groups. although established groups show male dominance hierarchies, male domin ...201627391113
gait kinetics of above- and below-branch quadrupedal locomotion in lemurid primates.for primates and other mammals moving on relatively thin branches, the ability to effectively adopt both above- and below-branch locomotion is seen as critical for successful arboreal locomotion, and has been considered an important step prior to the evolution of specialized suspensory locomotion within our order. yet, little information exists on the ways in which limb mechanics change when animals shift from above- to below-branch quadrupedal locomotion. this study tested the hypothesis that v ...201626739686
implicit sequence learning in ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta).implicit learning involves picking up information from the environment without explicit instruction or conscious awareness of the learning process. in nonhuman animals, conscious awareness is impossible to assess, so we define implicit learning as occurring when animals acquire information beyond what is required for successful task performance. while implicit learning has been documented in some nonhuman species, it has not been explored in prosimian primates. here we ask whether ring-tailed le ...201626615500
mechanical food properties and dental topography differentiate three populations of lemur catta in southwest madagascar.determining the proximate causes of tooth wear remains a major focus of dental study. here we compare the diets of three ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta) populations and examine how different dietary components may contribute to patterns of wear-related tooth shape. casts were made from dental impressions collected between 2003 and 2010 from lemurs in the gallery and spiny/mixed forests of the bezá mahafaly special reserve (bmsr; parcels 1 and 2) and the spiny/mixed forests of tsimanampesotse nat ...201626601707
testing yawning hypotheses in wild populations of two strepsirrhine species: propithecus verreauxi and lemur catta.yawning, although easily recognized, is difficult to explain. traditional explanations stressed physiological mechanisms, but more recently, behavioral processes have received increasing attention. this is the first study to test a range of hypotheses on yawning in wild primate populations. we studied two sympatric strepsirrhine species, lemur catta, and propithecus verreauxi, of the ankoba forest (24.99°s, 46.29°e, berenty reserve) in southern madagascar. sexual dimorphism is lacking in both sp ...201526317594
solitary osteochondroma in a ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta).a 20-y-old, male, ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta) presented with a large, firm mass on the proximal caudolateral left femur. the animal displayed no clinical signs associated with the mass. radiographs revealed a mineralized mass protruding from the femur, with an intact femoral cortex. histopathology diagnosed osteochondroma in view of the presence of a peripheral layer of cartilage with progressive endochondral ossification and typical remodeling of bony trabeculae. the mass grew quickly after ...201526310465
comparison of the genetic variation of captive ring-tailed lemurs with a wild population in madagascar.genetic variability among captive and wild ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) was assessed using mitochondrial and nuclear dna data. a 529 bp segment of mtdna was sequenced and 9 microsatellite loci were genotyped for 286 ring-tailed lemurs. samples were obtained from the well-studied l. catta population at the bezà mahafaly special reserve and from captive animals at six institutions worldwide. we found evidence of possible patrilineal contribution but the absence of matrilineal contribution from ...201526032097
lifespan and reproductive senescence in a free-ranging ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta) population at berenty, madagascar.the lifespan and age-specific fecundity of female ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) were estimated from a 24-year longitudinal dataset based on individual identification at berenty reserve, madagascar. the mean lifespan of females in 10-year (1989-1998) birth cohorts was 4.9 ± 4.9 years (n = 77), and the longest recorded lifespan in the population was 20 years. the mortality rate of adult females increased to ≥20% at 10-11 years old and reached 33-50% at 12-15 years old. although the birth rate o ...201526022309
antipredator vocalization usage in the male ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta).the ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta) is a group-living strepsirrhine primate endemic to madagascar that faces considerable predation pressure from aerial and terrestrial predators. this species engages in mobbing and vigilance behavior in response to predators, and has referential alarm vocalizations. because l. catta is female dominant, less is known about the alarm calls of males. we tested 3 hypotheses for male antipredator vocalization behavior on l. catta at the bezà mahafaly special reserve ...201526022308
cognition in ring-tailed lemurs.in order to better understand the evolution of cognitive abilities in primates, information on cognitive traits of the most basal living primates can provide important comparative baseline data. compared to haplorhine primates, lemurs have relatively smaller brains and reduced abilities to solve problems in the technical and social domain. however, recent studies have suggested that some cognitive abilities of lemurs are qualitatively equal to those of haplorhines. here, we review studies invest ...201526022306
ecological risk aversion and juvenile ring-tailed lemur feeding and foraging.the extended primate juvenile period has been linked to interactions between feeding ecology and sociality. however, accumulating field data on juvenile primates suggest variation in the linkages between foraging efficiency, group foraging and social behaviour. in many non-human primates, juvenile ability (strength, coordination and motor skills) does not limit foraging success. if predicted limitations in feeding are not found in juvenile monkeys, it is possible that the gregarious strepsirrhin ...201526022305
the gut microbiome of wild lemurs: a comparison of sympatric lemur catta and propithecus verreauxi.mammalian gut microbes are invaluable to the host's metabolism, but few researchers have examined gut microbial dynamics under natural conditions in wild mammals. this study aims to help fill this knowledge gap with a survey of the natural variation of the gut microbiome in 2 wild lemur species, lemur catta and propithecus verreauxi. the wild l. catta were also compared to a captive population to discern the effect of habitat within a species. gut microbial dna was extracted from fecal samples c ...201526022304
genetic diversity of the ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta) in south-central madagascar.madagascar's lemurs, now deemed the most endangered group of mammals, represent the highest primate conservation priority in the world. due to anthropogenic disturbances, an estimated 10% of malagasy forest cover remains. the endangered lemur catta is endemic to the southern regions of madagascar and now occupies primarily fragmented forest habitats. we examined the influence of habitat fragmentation and isolation on the genetic diversity of l. catta across 3 different forest fragments in south- ...201526022303
genetic evidence for male and female dispersal in wild lemur catta.lemur catta has traditionally been considered a species with male-biased dispersal; however, occasional female dispersal occurs. using molecular data, we evaluated dispersal patterns in 2 l. catta populations in southwestern madagascar: tsimanampesotse national park (tnp) and bezà mahafaly special reserve (bmsr). we also investigated the genetic differentiation between the populations and dispersal partner relatedness. results showed minor genetic differentiation between the populations (θ(st) = ...201526022302
ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta) health parameters across two habitats with varied levels of human disturbance at the bezà mahafaly special reserve, madagascar.the health of 36 wild, free-ranging ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) at the bezà mahafaly special reserve was assessed across 2 habitats of varied human impact: a reserve riverine gallery forest, and a degraded mixed dry deciduous and alluaudia-dominated spiny forest. while there were no statistically significant differences in leukocyte count or differential between habitats, female lemurs in the reserve gallery forest had significantly higher percentages of monocytes and eosinophils than male ...201526022301
examining visual measures of coat and body condition in wild ring-tailed lemurs at the bezà mahafaly special reserve, madagascar.coat and body mass status provide a potential noninvasive way to assess primate health status as well as the effects of seasonality, resource use and reproductive state. coat and body condition were scored visually for 36 wild lemur catta at the bezà mahafaly special reserve, madagascar, from july 2012 to march 2013. coat quality generally increased during the wet season when resource availability increased, in contrast to that observed during the resource-depleted dry season. alopecia frequency ...201526022300
beyond the gallery forest: contrasting habitat and diet in lemur catta troops at bezà mahafaly special reserve.ring-tailed lemurs have been studied intensively in the parcel 1 gallery forest of bezà mahafaly special reserve. here, we report on lemur groups in a mixture of deciduous dry forest and spiny forest just 5 km to the west. compared to parcel 1, parcel 2 (p2) has a lower density of tamarindus indica, a major dietary plant species for gallery forest lemurs. recent studies in drier habitats have called into question the association of lemur density and tamarind presence. in order to address this qu ...201526022299
seasonal feeding ecology of ring-tailed lemurs: a comparison of spiny and gallery forest habitats.although lemur catta persists in many habitat types in southern madagascar, its ecology has been primarily studied within gallery forests. we compare plant food selection and properties for ring-tailed lemurs in the spiny and gallery forests over the synchronized lactation period (september to march) that includes both the dry and wet seasons. we found no significant habitat-specific differences in the type of plant part consumed per month (i.e. flower, fruit, leaf) or between the intake of solu ...201526022298
reproductive female feeding strategies in spiny forest-dwelling lemur catta in southern and southwestern madagascar: how do females meet the challenges of reproduction in this harsh habitat?the spiny forest ecoregion of southern and southwestern madagascar is characterized by low annual rainfall, high temperatures, short-stature xeric vegetation and lack of canopy. lemur catta is often the only diurnal primate persisting in this habitat. for reproductive females living in spiny forests, gestation and early-to-mid lactation periods occur during the dry season when food resources are limited. we conducted a between-site comparison of variables important to the feeding ecology of repr ...201526022297
ring-tailed lemurs: a species re-imagined.for over 50 years, ring-tailed lemurs have been studied continuously in the wild. as one of the most long-studied primate species, the length and breadth of their study is comparable to research on japanese macaques, baboons and chimpanzees. they are also one of the most broadly observed of all primates, with comprehensive research conducted on their behaviour, biology, ecology, genetics, palaeobiology and life history. however, over the last decade, a new generation of lemur scholars, working i ...201526022295
patterns of gut bacterial colonization in three primate species.host fitness is impacted by trillions of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract that facilitate development and are inextricably tied to life history. during development, microbial colonization primes the gut metabolism and physiology, thereby setting the stage for adult nutrition and health. however, the ecological rules governing microbial succession are poorly understood. in this study, we examined the relationship between host lineage, captive diet, and life stage and gut microbiota characte ...201525970595
systemic effects of leucaena leucocephala ingestion on ringtailed lemurs (lemur catta) at berenty reserve, madagascar.leucaena (leucaena leucocephala) is a leguminous tree that is nutritious forage for domestic livestock when ingested in limited amounts. unfortunately, leucaena contains mimosine, a plant amino acid, that can be toxic when ingested at higher concentrations. reported toxic effects include alopecia (fur loss), poor body condition, infertility, low birth weight, thyroid gland dysfunction, and organ toxicity. originally native to mexico and central america, leucaena has been introduced throughout th ...201525809223
baby on board: olfactory cues indicate pregnancy and fetal sex in a non-human primate.olfactory cues play an integral, albeit underappreciated, role in mediating vertebrate social and reproductive behaviour. these cues fluctuate with the signaller's hormonal condition, coincident with and informative about relevant aspects of its reproductive state, such as pubertal onset, change in season and, in females, timing of ovulation. although pregnancy dramatically alters a female's endocrine profiles, which can be further influenced by fetal sex, the relationship between gestation and ...201525716086
a complex sensory organ in the nose skin of the prosimian primate lemur catta.most mammals have nose tips covered by glabrous skin, a labronasal area, or rhinarium. the surface of the rhinarium of lemur catta has a dermatoglyphic pattern consisting of epidermal domes. below the domes, epidermal pegs dip down into the dermis. in and below the tip of the epidermal peg, a complex sensory organ is found. it consists of an association of innervated merkel cells, lamellate (pacini-like) bodies with a central nerve, and a ring of unmyelinated nerve endings in the epidermis. the ...201525645577
the vomeronasal organ of lemur catta.the vomeronasal organ (vno), also known as the jacobson's organ, is a bilateral chemosensory organ found at the base of the nasal cavity specialized for the detection of higher-molecular weight (non-volatile) chemostimuli. it has been linked to pheromone detection. the vno has been well studied in nocturnal lemurs and lorises, but poorly studied in diurnal/cathemeral species despite the large repertoire of olfactory behaviors noted in species such as lemur catta. here, the vno and associated str ...201525220179
social inhibitory control in five lemur species.we tested five lemur species-ring-tailed lemurs, ruffed lemurs, mongoose lemurs, black lemurs, and coquerel's sifakas-(n = 52) in an experiment that evaluated skills for inhibitory control in a social context. first, two human experimenters presented identical food rewards; the "generous" experimenter allowed the subject to eat from her hand, whereas the "competitive" experimenter always withheld the reward. lemurs quickly learned to approach the generous experimenter and avoid the competitive o ...201525822664
patterns of behaviour, group structure and reproductive status predict levels of glucocorticoid metabolites in zoo-housed ring-tailed lemurs, lemur catta.in ring-tailed lemurs, lemur catta, the factors modulating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (hpa) activity differ between wild and semi-free-ranging populations. here we assess factors modulating hpa activity in ring-tailed lemurs housed in a third environment: the zoo. first we validate an enzyme immunoassay to quantify levels of glucocorticoid (gc) metabolites in the faeces of l. catta. we determine the nature of the female-female dominance hierarchies within each group by computing david's scor ...201526824528
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