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differential impact of severe drought on infant mortality in two sympatric neotropical primates.extreme climate events can have important consequences for the dynamics of natural populations, and severe droughts are predicted to become more common and intense due to climate change. we analysed infant mortality in relation to drought in two primate species (white-faced capuchins, cebus capucinus imitator, and geoffroy's spider monkeys, ateles geoffroyi) in a tropical dry forest in northwestern costa rica. our survival analyses combine several rare and valuable long-term datasets, including ...202032431912
fruit availability has a complex relationship with fission-fusion dynamics in spider monkeys.understanding the ecological and social factors that influence group size is a major focus of primate behavioural ecology. studies of species with fission-fusion social organizations have offered an insightful tool for understanding ecological drivers of group size as associations change over short temporal and spatial scales. here we investigated how the fission-fusion dynamics of spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) at runaway creek, belize were affected by fruit availability. when males and fema ...202032914343
principal component analysis of electroencephalographic activity during sleep and wakefulness in the spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi).the study of electroencephalographic (eeg) activity during sleep in the spider monkey has provided new insights into primitive arboreal sleep physiology and behavior in anthropoids. nevertheless, studies conducted to date have maintained the frequency ranges of the eeg bands commonly used with humans. the aim of the present work was to determine the eeg broad bands that characterize sleep and wakefulness in the spider monkey using principal component analysis (pca). the eeg activity was recorded ...202032557719
natural infection by trypanosoma cruzi in three species of non-human primates in southeast mexico: a contribution to reservoir knowledge.the mechanisms of infection and dispersion of trypanosoma cruzi among animals, especially in the sylvatic environment, are still not entirely clear. therefore, various aspects of the transmission dynamics of this parasite in the sylvatic environment are still unknown. t. cruzi is a parasite with a great biological and genetic diversity that infects a wide variety of hosts, therefore, the transmission cycles of this parasite are complex. the objective of this study was to determine t. cruzi infec ...202033166517
taste detection threshold of human (homo sapiens) subjects and taste preference threshold of black-handed spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) for the sugar substitute isomalt.the artificial sweetener isomalt is widely used due to its low caloric, non-diabetogenic and non-cariogenic properties. although the sweetening potency of isomalt has been reported to be lower than that of sucrose, no data on the sensitivity of humans for this polyol are available. using an up-down, two-alternative forced choice staircase procedure we therefore determined taste detection thresholds for isomalt in human subjects (n = 10; five females and five males) and compared them to taste pre ...202033011867
preparation for certain and uncertain future outcomes in young children and three species of monkey.this study examined 3-year old children and monkeys' capacities to prepare for immediate future events. in study 1, children were presented with several tube apparatuses with two exits. when targets were certain to emerge from both, children tended to prepare to catch them by covering each exit. when it was uncertain where targets would emerge, however, they tended to prepare for only one possibility. these results substantiate the claim that simultaneous preparation for mutually exclusive possi ...202031372992
there is no other monkey in the mirror for spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).mirror self-recognition (msr), usually considered a marker of self-awareness, occurs in several species and may reflect a capacity that has evolved in small incremental steps. in line with research on human development and building on previous research adopting a gradualist framework, we categorized the initial mirror responses of naïve spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) according to four levels. we compared social, exploratory, contingent and self-exploratory responses to a mirror and faux mirro ...202032551722
diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis with secondary dysphagia in a black-handed spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi).a 32-yr-old male black-handed spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) with marked kyphosis and reduced spinal range of motion developed intermittent regurgitation, which was managed with an acid reducer. diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (dish) was suspected in this animal due to radiographically evident ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament. at repeat radiographic evaluation 1.5 yr later, due to weight loss and increased frequency of regurgitation, the cervical spine was deviated v ...202032549579
ecological and social determinants of association and proximity patterns in the fission-fusion society of spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).some social species exhibit high levels of fission-fusion dynamics (ffd) that improve foraging efficiency. in this study, we shed light on the way that ffd allows animal groups to cope with fluctuations in fruit availability. we explore the relative contribution of fruit availability and social factors like sex in determining association and proximity patterns in spider monkeys. we tested the influence of fruit availability and social factors on the association and proximity patterns using three ...202031823407
taste responsiveness of spider monkeys to dietary ethanol.recent studies suggest that frugivorous primates might display a preference for the ethanol produced by microbia in overripe, fermenting fruit as an additional source of calories. we, therefore, assessed the taste responsiveness of 8 spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) to the range of ethanol concentrations found in overripe, fermenting fruit (0.05-3.0%) and determined taste preference thresholds as well as relative taste preferences for ethanol presented in sucrose solutions and in fruit matrices ...201931400282
acoustic variation of spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) contact calls is related to caller isolation and affects listeners' responses.group living animals produce vocalizations denominated "contact calls" to maintain contact with out-of-sight group members. these calls have been shown to vary with caller identity and distance to potential listeners. however, it is not clear whether the acoustic variation of contact calls is related to caller social isolation (e.g., inside or outside a subgroup) and listeners' responses that can be helpful to maintain contact. here, we addressed these questions in spider monkeys (ateles geoffro ...201930943237
using multiplex networks to capture the multidimensional nature of social structure.network analysis has increasingly expanded our understanding of social structure in primates and other animal species. however, most studies use networks representing only one interaction type, when social relationships (and the emerging social structure) are the result of many types of interactions and their interplay through time. the recent development of tools facilitating the integrated analysis of multiple interaction types using multiplex networks has opened the possibility of extending t ...201930220057
brain connectivity in ateles geoffroyi: resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging of working memory and executive control.the objective of this research was to describe the organization and connectivity of the working memory (wm) and executive control (ec) networks in ateles geoffroyi in resting-state conditions. recent studies have shown that resting-state activity may underlie rudimentary brain functioning, showing that several brain regions can be tonically active at rest, maximizing the efficiency of information transfer while preserving a low physical connection cost. whole-brain resting-state images were acqu ...201931039559
clostridium difficile enterocolitis in a captive geoffroy's spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) and common marmosets (callithrix jacchus).clostridium difficile is a well-documented cause of enterocolitis in several species, including humans, with limited documentation in new world nonhuman primates. we report several cases of c. difficile-associated pseudomembranous enterocolitis, including a case in a geoffroy's spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) and several cases in common marmosets (callithrix jacchus). the histologic lesions included a spectrum of severity, with most cases characterized by the classic "volcano" lesions described ...201931382854
the influence of anthropogenic edge effects on primate populations and their habitat in a fragmented rainforest in costa rica.when a forest is fragmented, this increases the amount of forest edge relative to the interior. edge effects can lead to loss of animal and plant species and decreased plant biomass near forest edges. we examined the influence of an anthropogenic forest edge comprising cattle pasture, coconut plantations, and human settlement on the mantled howler (alouatta palliata), white-faced capuchin (cebus capucinus), central american spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi), and plant populations at la suerte bio ...201829411160
goal-directed tail use in colombian spider monkeys (ateles fusciceps rufiventris) is highly lateralized.behavioral laterality refers to a bias in the use of one side of the body over the other and is commonly studied in paired organs (e.g., hands, feet, eyes, antennae). less common are reports of laterality in unpaired organs (e.g., trunk, tongue, tail). the goal of the current study was to examine tail use biases across different tasks in the colombian spider monkey (ateles fusciceps rufiventris) for the first time (n = 14). we hypothesized that task context and task complexity influence tail lat ...201829239649
taste responsiveness to two steviol glycosides in three species of nonhuman primates.primates have been found to differ widely in their taste perception and studies suggest that a co-evolution between plant species bearing a certain taste substance and primate species feeding on these plants may contribute to such between-species differences. considering that only platyrrhine primates, but not catarrhine or prosimian primates, share an evolutionary history with the neotropical plant stevia rebaudiana, we assessed whether members of these three primate taxa differ in their abilit ...201829492039
quantifying uncertainty due to fission-fusion dynamics as a component of social complexity.groups of animals (including humans) may show flexible grouping patterns, in which temporary aggregations or subgroups come together and split, changing composition over short temporal scales, (i.e. fission and fusion). a high degree of fission-fusion dynamics may constrain the regulation of social relationships, introducing uncertainty in interactions between group members. here we use shannon's entropy to quantify the predictability of subgroup composition for three species known to differ in ...201829848648
hand preferences in two unimanual and two bimanual coordinated tasks in the black-handed spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi).spider monkeys are interesting to study with regard to hand preferences, as they are one of the few primate species that lack a thumb and, thus, are unable to perform a precision grip. further, being platyrrhine primates, they also largely lack independent motor control of the digits and, thus, have only limited manual dexterity. it was therefore the aim of the present study to assess hand preferences in black-handed spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) in 4 tasks differing in task demand: simple u ...201829745692
acoustic variation of spider monkeys' contact calls (whinnies) is related to distance between vocalizing individuals and immediate caller behavior.due to several factors such as ecological conditions, group size, and social organization, primates frequently spend time out of visual contact with individuals of their own group. through the use of long-distance vocalizations, often termed "contact calls," primates are able to maintain contact with out-of-sight individuals. contact calls have been shown to be individually distinct, and reverberation and attenuation provide information about caller distance. it is less clear, however, whether c ...201829566275
homosexual behavior between male spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).homosexual behavior is defined as genital contact or genital manipulation between same-sex individuals. in nonhuman primates, it may regulate social relationships by serving as a means of reconciliation, tension alleviation, or alliance formation. grappling is a rare and complex behavior, which most frequently occurs between same-sex individuals of the genus ateles and can include mutual manipulation of the genitalia. here we report three cases of penile-anal intromission during grappling betwee ...201829536259
kinematics of the anthropoid os centrale and the functional consequences of scaphoid-centrale fusion in african apes and hominins.in most primates, the os centrale is interposed between the scaphoid, trapezoid, trapezium, and head of the capitate, thus constituting a component of the wrist's midcarpal complex. scaphoid-centrale fusion is among the clearest morphological synapomorphies of african apes and hominins. although it might facilitate knuckle-walking by increasing the rigidity and stability of the radial side of the wrist, the exact functional significance of scaphoid-centrale fusion is unclear. if fusion acts to p ...201829447753
seasonal and sex differences in the fission-fusion dynamics of spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi yucatanensis) in belize.spider monkeys (ateles sp.) are characterized by high fission-fusion dynamics, meaning their social grouping pattern is fluid and consists of subgroups that vary in size, composition, and spatial cohesion over time. in this study, we quantify the fission-fusion dynamics of a group of spider monkeys at runaway creek nature reserve in belize by measuring subgroup size, spatial cohesion, and stability using data spanning 5 years. we then test whether variation in these three subgroup measures diffe ...201830209669
predation attacks on wild spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).we report 2 cases of predation on an adult and a subadult spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) by a puma (puma concolor) and an unidentified terrestrial predator at the natural protected area of otoch ma'ax yetel kooh, in the yucatan peninsula, mexico. although spider monkeys are believed to experience overall low predation pressure compared to other primate species, our observations show that predation occurs in the study area and therefore behavioral strategies are likely to be in place to reduce ...201830176669
alpha electroencephalographic activity during rapid eye movement sleep in the spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi): an index of arousal during sleep?there is evidence that some animal species have developed physiological and behavioral mechanisms to monitor potential predatory threats during rapid eye movement sleep (rems). nevertheless, it has not been reported in arboreal primates. the present study analyzed the sleeping postures, as well as the electromyographic and electroencephalographic (eeg) activities during three conditions: rems, non-rems (n-rems), and wakefulness in spider monkeys. the study included six monkeys, whose eegs were r ...201830129115
integrating expert knowledge and ecological niche models to estimate mexican primates' distribution.ecological niche modeling is used to estimate species distributions based on occurrence records and environmental variables, but it seldom includes explicit biotic or historical factors that are important in determining the distribution of species. expert knowledge can provide additional valuable information regarding ecological or historical attributes of species, but the influence of integrating this information in the modeling process has been poorly explored. here, we integrated expert knowl ...201829987701
cortical beta eeg oscillations related to changes in muscle tone activity during sleep in spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi).the physiological mechanisms that allow for sleeping in a vertical position, which is primordial for arboreal primates, have not been studied yet.201829072318
diel and infradian (7-day) activity rhythms in mexican spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) kept with and without visitor contact.diel activity rhythms in mammals are regulated by an endogenous (circadian) timing system which is synchronized by environmental 24-hr periodicities called zeitgebers. additional direct responses to stochastic environmental factors ensure the fine-tuning to the actual situation and may mask the circadian time course. following an observational study on behavioral effects of visitor activities in a group of spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) kept free-ranging on a small island of lake catemaco, ve ...201830537387
female spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) cope with anthropogenic disturbance through fission-fusion dynamics.most primates live in habitats with some level of anthropogenic disturbance, and such disturbances have a larger impact on frugivorous primates that are more sensitive to ecological disruptions than folivores. fecal glucocorticoid metabolites provide insight into how the external environment affects internal physiological state, and thus provide information on how anthropogenic pressures become embodied. here, i examine how subgroup size and glucocorticoids vary with high and low fruit abundance ...201729249843
how survey design affects monkey counts: a case study on individually recognized spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).the fast movement and high degree of fission-fusion dynamics of spider monkeys (ateles spp.) make them notoriously difficult to survey. we examined which aspects of survey design affect spider monkey sightings along transects in a group of individually recognized spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) in punta laguna, yucatan, mexico. we calculated the number of monkeys and subgroups sighted per transect walk. using generalized linear models, we found no effect of the number of observers, transect ty ...201729190614
visitor effect on the behavior of a group of spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) maintained at an island in lake catemaco, veracruz/mexico.we analyzed the effect of human visitors on the behavior of a group of spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) kept on a small tourist island. although the spider monkey is a common species in zoos, there are very few specific studies on visitor effects on these monkeys. we conducted behavioral observations on the group of spider monkeys to evaluate the effect of visitors. we also used actimetry devices to measure the variations in the spider monkeys' locomotor activity associated with human presence. ...201729120094
sperm morphology assessment in captive neotropical primates.the main objective of this study was to evaluate sperm morphology in four neotropical primate species to compare the sperm morphological traits and the sperm morphometric parameters as a basis for establishing normative sperm standards for each species. data from 80 ejaculates collected from four primate species, callithrix jacchus, callimico goeldii, alouatta caraya and ateles geoffroyi, were analysed for detection of sperm morphological alterations using subjective world health organization (w ...201627260333
spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) travel to resting trees in a seasonal forest of the yucatan peninsula, mexico.resting by primates is considered an understudied activity, relative to feeding or moving, despite its importance in physiological and time investment terms. here we describe spider monkeys' (ateles geoffroyi) travel from feeding to resting trees in a seasonal tropical forest of the yucatan peninsula. we followed adult and subadult individuals for as long as possible, recording their activities and spatial location to construct travel paths. spider monkeys spent 44% of the total sampling time re ...201628135714
prevalence of neutralizing antibodies against west nile virus (wnv) in monkeys (ateles geoffroyi and alouatta pigra) and crocodiles (crocodylus acutus and c. acutus-c. moreletti hybrids) in mexico.west nile virus (wnv) is a mosquito-borne neurotropic viral pathogen maintained in an enzootic cycle between mosquitoes (vectors) and birds (natural hosts) with equids, humans, and other vertebrates acting as dead-end hosts. wnv activity in mexico has been reported in several domestic and wild fauna and in humans, and the virus has been isolated from birds, mosquitoes, and humans. however, no serological studies have been conducted in monkeys, and only two in a limited number of crocodiles (croc ...201627097655
proximal and distal predictors of the spider monkey's stress levels in fragmented landscapes.the rapid loss, fragmentation and degradation of tropical forests threaten the survival of many animal species. however, the way in which these phenomena affect animal health has been poorly explored, thus limiting the design of appropriate conservation strategies. to address this, here we identified using linear mixed models the effect of proximal (diet, activity pattern, hunting and logging) and distal (sum of the basal areas of fruiting-tree species [sbafs], landscape forest cover and degree ...201626901767
effects of field conditions on fecal microbiota.gut microbiota can provide great insight into host health, and studies of the gut microbiota in wildlife are becoming more common. however, the effects of field conditions on gut microbial samples are unknown. this study addresses the following questions: 1) how do environmental factors such as sunlight and insect infestations affect fecal microbial dna? 2) how does fecal microbial dna change over time after defecation? 3) how does storage method affect microbial dna? fresh fecal samples were co ...201627686380
seasonal changes in socio-spatial structure in a group of free-living spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).ecological and social factors influence individual movement and group membership decisions, which ultimately determine how animal groups adjust their behavior in spatially and temporally heterogeneous environments. the mechanisms behind these behavioral adjustments can be better understood by studying the relationship between association and space use patterns of groups and how these change over time. we examined the socio-spatial patterns of adult individuals in a free-ranging group of spider m ...201627280800
behavioural and glucocorticoid responses of a captive group of spider monkeys to short-term variation in food presentation.the presentation of food may affect feeding competition and the well-being of captive social species. we hypothesized that feeding competition in a captive group of 5 black-handed spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) should increase in response to certain food presentations in terms of size, distribution and quality of food, and that higher feeding competition should lead to an increase in agonism and physiological stress (measured by faecal glucocorticoid metabolites, fgcm) as well as to a decreas ...201526509570
chemical recognition of fruit ripeness in spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).primates are now known to possess well-developed olfactory sensitivity and discrimination capacities that can play a substantial role in many aspects of their interaction with conspecifics and the environment. several studies have demonstrated that olfactory cues may be useful in fruit selection. here, using a conditioning paradigm, we show that captive spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) display high olfactory discrimination performance between synthetic odor mixtures mimicking ripe and unripe fr ...201526440380
patterns of mhc-g-like and mhc-b diversification in new world monkeys.the mhc class i (mhc-i) region in new world monkeys (platyrrhini) has remained relatively understudied. to evaluate the diversification patterns and transcription behavior of mhc-i in platyrrhini, we first analyzed public genomic sequences from the mhc-g-like subregion in saimiri boliviensis, ateles geoffroyi and callicebus moloch, and from the mhc-b subregion in saimiri boliviensis. while s. boliviensis showed multiple copies of both mhc-g-like (10) and -b (15) loci, a. geoffroyi and c. moloch ...201526121030
spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) are less sensitive to the odor of aliphatic ketones than to the odor of other classes of aliphatic compounds.aliphatic ketones are widely present in body-borne and food odors of primates. therefore, we used an operant conditioning paradigm and determined olfactory detection thresholds in four spider monkeys for a homologous series of aliphatic 2-ketones (2-butanone to 2-nonanone) and two of their isomers (3- and 4-heptanone). we found that, with the exception of the two shortest-chained ketones, all animals detected concentrations <1 ppm (parts per million), and with five odorants individual animals ev ...201526055441
effect of preservation method on spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) fecal microbiota over 8 weeks.studies of the gut microbiome have become increasingly common with recent technological advances. gut microbes play an important role in human and animal health, and gut microbiome analysis holds great potential for evaluating health in wildlife, as microbiota can be assessed from non-invasively collected fecal samples. however, many common fecal preservation protocols (e.g. freezing at -80 °c) are not suitable for field conditions, or have not been tested for long-term (greater than 2 weeks) st ...201525819008
correction: tractography of the spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) corpus callosum using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging. 201525822174
sleep in the spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi): a semi-restrictive, non-invasive, polysomnographic study.the normal sleep patterns of the spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) have not been described yet. the objective of this study was to characterize the electrophysiological patterns, sleeping postures, and sleep-wake cycle in semi-restricted spider monkeys. continuous 24-hr polysomnographic (psg) recordings, involving simultaneous recording of non-invasive electroencephalographic (eeg), electro-oculographic (eog), and electromyographic (emg) activities, were carried out in captive monkeys living in o ...201525231936
trypanoxyuris atelis and t. atelophora (nematoda: oxyuridae) in wild spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) in tropical rain forest in mexico: morphological and molecular evidence.two species of pinworms, trypanoxyuris atelis and trypanoxyuris atelophora were collected from the black-handed spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) in several localities across southeastern mexico, representing the first record for both species in mexican primates. identification of pinworm species was based on morphological and molecular data. these pinworms are distinguished from other congeners, and from each other, by the buccal structure, the lateral alae, and the morphology of the oesophagus. ...201525748278
which is the appropriate scale to assess the impact of landscape spatial configuration on the diet and behavior of spider monkeys?understanding the response of species to changes in landscape configuration is required to design adequate management and conservation strategies. yet, the most appropriate spatial scale (i.e., landscape size) to assess the response of species to changes in landscape configuration (so-called "scale of effect") is largely unknown. in this paper, we assess the impact of landscape forest cover, forest fragmentation, edge density, and inter-patch isolation distance on the diet and behavior of six co ...201525231365
primate extirpation from rainforest fragments does not appear to influence seedling recruitment.primates are important seed dispersers, especially of large-seeded tree species, but the impact that these animals have on seedling recruitment is unclear. evidence suggests that forest regeneration might be disrupted in forest fragments in which primates were extirpated. we tested this hypothesis by assessing seedling recruitment in 3 forest fragments occupied (of) by primates, 3 fragments unoccupied (uf) by primates, and 3 areas within a continuous forest (cf) in the lacandona rainforest, mexi ...201525556633
tractography of the spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) corpus callosum using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging.the objective of this research was to describe the organization, connectivity and microstructure of the corpus callosum of the spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi). non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-tensor imaging were obtained from three subjects using a 3t philips scanner. we hypothesized that the arrangement of fibers in spider monkeys would be similar to that observed in other non-human primates. a repeated measure (n = 3) of fractional anisotropy values was obtained of each ...201525693078
phylogenetic relationships of mesoamerican spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi): molecular evidence suggests the need for a revised taxonomy.mesoamerican spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi sensu lato) are widely distributed from mexico to northern colombia. this group of primates includes many allopatric forms with morphologically distinct pelage color and patterning, but its taxonomy and phylogenetic history are poorly understood. we explored the genetic relationships among the different forms of mesoamerican spider monkeys using mtdna sequence data, and we offer a new hypothesis for the evolutionary history of the group. we collected ...201525451800
isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in spondias radlkoferi (anacardiaceae). 201425383270
gustatory responsiveness to the 20 proteinogenic amino acids in the spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi).the gustatory responsiveness of four adult spider monkeys to the 20 proteinogenic amino acids was assessed in two-bottle preference tests of brief duration (1min). we found that ateles geoffroyi responded with significant preferences for seven amino acids (glycine, l-proline, l-alanine, l-serine, l-glutamic acid, l-aspartic acid, and l-lysine) when presented at a concentration of 100mm and/or 200mm and tested against water. at the same concentrations, the animals significantly rejected five amin ...201424480073
seed source, seed traits, and frugivore habits: implications for dispersal quality of two sympatric primates.• premise of the study: frugivore selection of fruits and treatment of seeds together with seed deposition site are crucial for the population dynamics of vertebrate-dispersed plants. however, frugivore species may influence dispersal quality differently even when feeding on the same fruit species and, while animals disperse some seeds, others simply fall beneath the parent plant.• methods: in southern mexico, we investigated to see if within-species seed traits (i.e., length, width, weight, and ...201424920763
genetic identification of an oxyurid from a captive, black-handed spider monkey--implications for treatment and control.parasites are of major clinical significance in captive primates in zoos, particularly those with direct life cycles. oxyurid nematodes can be a persistent problem, as infection intensity and environmental contamination with infective eggs are usually high. observations at the basel zoo in switzerland have revealed that particularly black-handed spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) exhibit continuous oxyurid nematode infection(s), despite regular deworming with anthelmintics. in the present study, ...201425070576
patterns of infection by intestinal parasites in sympatric howler monkey (alouatta palliata) and spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) populations in a tropical dry forest in costa rica.in primate populations, endoparasite species richness and prevalence are associated with host traits such as reproductive and social status, age, sex, host population density, and environmental factors such as humidity. we analyzed the species richness and prevalence of intestinal parasites in two sympatric primate populations, one of alouatta palliata and one of ateles geoffroyi, found in a tropical dry forest in costa rica. we identified three species of intestinal parasites (controrchis sp., ...201424585246
oxygen isotope values in bone carbonate and collagen are consistently offset for new world monkeys.stable oxygen isotopes are increasingly used in ecological research. here, i present oxygen isotope (δ(18)o) values for bone carbonate and collagen from howler monkeys (alouatta palliata), spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) and capuchins (cebus capucinus) from three localities in costa rica. there are apparent differences in δ(18)ocarbonate and δ(18)ocollagen among species. monkeys from moist forest have significantly lower isotope values than those from drier localities. because patterns are sim ...201425392315
resistance to antibiotics of clinical relevance in the fecal microbiota of mexican wildlife.there are a growing number of reports of antibiotic resistance (atbr) in bacteria living in wildlife. this is a cause for concern as atbr in wildlife represents a potential public health threat. however, little is known about the factors that might determine the presence, abundance and dispersion of atbr bacteria in wildlife. here, we used culture and molecular methods to assess atbr in bacteria in fecal samples from howler monkeys (alouatta palliata), spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi), tapirs ( ...201425233089
evolutionary renovation of l/m opsin polymorphism confers a fruit discrimination advantage to ateline new world monkeys.new world monkeys exhibit prominent colour vision variation due to allelic polymorphism of the long-to-middle wavelength (l/m) opsin gene. the known spectral variation of l/m opsins in primates is broadly determined by amino acid composition at three sites: 180, 277 and 285 (the 'three-sites' rule). however, two l/m opsin alleles found in the black-handed spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) are known exceptions, presumably due to novel mutations. the spectral separation of the two l/m photopigment ...201424612406
contagious deposition of seeds in spider monkeys' sleeping trees limits effective seed dispersal in fragmented landscapes.the repeated use of sleeping sites by frugivorous vertebrates promotes the deposition and aggregation of copious amounts of seeds in these sites. this spatially contagious pattern of seed deposition has key implications for seed dispersal, particularly because such patterns can persist through recruitment. assessing the seed rain patterns in sleeping sites thus represents a fundamental step in understanding the spatial structure and regeneration of plant assemblages. we evaluated the seed rain p ...201424586705
effects of housing conditions and season on the activity rhythm of spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) kept under natural conditions within their distributional range in central mexico.the timing and pattern of mammalian behavioral activities are regulated by an evolutionary optimized interplay of the genetically based biological (circadian) clock located in the brain's suprachiasmatic nuclei and direct responses to environmental factors that superimpose and thus mask the clock-mediated effects, the most important of which is the photically induced phase-setting (synchronization) of the circadian rhythmicity to the 24-hour solar day. in wild and captive animals living under th ...201425051429
site fidelity in space use by spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) in the yucatan peninsula, mexico.animal home ranges may vary little in their size and location in the short term but nevertheless show more variability in the long term. we evaluated the degree of site fidelity of two groups of spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) over a 10- and 13-year period, respectively, in the northeastern yucatan peninsula, mexico. we used the local convex hull method to estimate yearly home ranges and core areas (defined as the 60% probability contour) for the two groups. home ranges varied from 7.7 to 49.6 ...201323675427
bimodal evolution of the killer cell ig-like receptor (kir) family in new world primates.the immunoglobulin-like receptor (kir) gene family in new world primates (platyrrhini) has been characterized only in the owl monkey (aotus sp.). to gain a better understanding of the kir system in platyrrhini, we analyzed a kir haplotype in ateles geoffroyi, and sequenced kir complementary dnas (cdnas) from other three atelidae species, ateles hybridus, ateles belzebuth, and lagothrix lagotricha. atelidae expressed a variable set of activating and inhibitory kirs that diversified independently ...201323846852
seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii infection in captive mammals in three zoos in mexico city, mexico.antibodies to toxoplasma gondii were determined in 167 mammals in three zoos in mexico city, mexico, using the modified agglutination test (mat). overall, antibodies to t. gondii were found in 89 (53.3%) of the 167 animals tested. antibodies were found in 35 of 43 wild felidae: 2 of 2 bobcats (lynx rufus); 4 of 4 cougars (puma concolor); 10 of 13 jaguars (panthera onca); 5 of 5 leopards (panthera pardus); 7 of 7 lions (panthera leo); 2 of 3 tigers (panthera tigris); 2 of 3 ocelots (leopardus par ...201324063119
olfactory sensitivity for six predator odorants in cd-1 mice, human subjects, and spider monkeys.using a conditioning paradigm, we assessed the olfactory sensitivity of six cd-1 mice (mus musculus) for six sulfur-containing odorants known to be components of the odors of natural predators of the mouse. with all six odorants, the mice discriminated concentrations <0.1 ppm (parts per million) from the solvent, and with five of the six odorants the best-scoring animals were even able to detect concentrations <1 ppt (parts per trillion). four female spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) and twelve ...201324278296
assessment of adrenocortical and gonadal hormones in male spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) following capture, restraint and anesthesia.the spider monkey (sm) (ateles geoffroyi) a new world primate species native to mexican forests, has become endangered in the wild due to environmental perturbations. little is known about adrenal function and its relationship to reproduction in this species. our objectives were to assess serum glucocorticoid (gc), mineralocorticoid (mc) and testosterone concentrations in captive sm and evaluate adrenal and testicular responses to potentially stressful animal handling procedures. seven adult mal ...201324167044
close association between paralogous multiple isomirs and paralogous/orthologues mirna sequences implicates dominant sequence selection across various animal species.micrornas (mirnas) are crucial negative regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. next-generation sequencing technologies have identified a series of mirna variants (named isomirs). in this study, paralogous isomir assemblies (from the mirna locus) were systematically analyzed based on data acquired from deep sequencing data sets. evolutionary analysis of paralogous (members in mirna gene family in a specific species) and orthologues (across different animal species) mirna ...201323856130
population genetic patterns among social groups of the endangered central american spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) in a human-dominated landscape.spider monkeys (genus: ateles) are a widespread neotropical primate with a highly plastic socioecological strategy. however, the central american species, ateles geoffroyi, was recently re-listed as endangered due to the accelerated loss of forest across the subcontinent. there is inconsistent evidence that spider monkey populations could persist when actively protected, but their long-term viability in unprotected, human-dominated landscapes is not known. we analyzed noninvasive genetic samples ...201323762523
housing with females increases testosterone and cortisol levels in captive groups of black-handed spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).the black-handed spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi) is a seasonal reproducer that requires a seclusiveness to copulate and has a fusion-fission social system. these features impose important restrictions to achieve reproduction of captive animals. we investigated if group composition in captive spider monkeys has any endocrine effects. we compared testosterone and cortisol concentrations during the mating season in all-male and multifemale-multimale groups to study if the former condition impairs ...201322610879
male philopatry in spider monkeys revisited.dispersal patterns are critical for understanding social systems as they influence social interactions and relationships. spider monkeys (ateles spp.) are typically described as being characterized by male philopatry and female dispersal, with these patterns reflected in stronger affiliative and cooperative relationships among males than among females. recent findings, however, indicate that male-male relationships may not be as uniformly strong as previously thought, which suggests that male ph ...201323913703
aging-related reproductive decline in the male spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi).background  it is unknown whether male black-handed spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) undergo a reproductive decline as they age. the purpose of this work was investigating whether serum testosterone and semen quality decrease with age in these primates as occur in other species. methods  in this study, we assessed age variations in the concentration of serum testosterone, sperm counts, and motility in nine males. we took serum blood samples and semen samples by electroejaculation of anesthetize ...201222264169
alveolar echinococcosis infection in a monkey (ateles geoffroyi) in mashhad, iran.alveolar echinococcosis (ae), which is caused by ingestion of eggs of the fox tapeworm echinococcus multilocularis, is the most potentially lethal parasitic infection because of its tendency to invade and proliferate in the liver and the difficulty in treatment. this article describes a case of alveolar echinococcosis found in ateles geoffroyi in mashhad, iran. the cysts were characterized as an alveolar structure, composed of numerous small vesicles in liver, abdominal cavity, retroperitoneum a ...201223113143
effect of increasing trypsin concentrations on seminal coagulum dissolution and sperm parameters in spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).seminal coagulum formation in spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) interferes with the efficient recovery and evaluation of spermatozoa. the main objective was to assess the effect of increasing concentrations of trypsin on dissolution of seminal coagulum and spermatic parameters. seminal coagulum was incubated at 37 °c without trypsin or in the presence of increasing trypsin concentrations (0.1%, 1.0%, and 5.0%). for each sample, coagulum dissolution time was measured, and sperm concentration, via ...201222538010
olfactory sensitivity for "green odors" (aliphatic c(6) alcohols and c(6) aldehydes)--a comparative study in male cd-1 mice (mus musculus) and female spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).using a conditioning paradigm, the olfactory sensitivity of six male cd-1 mice for "green odors", a group of eight structurally related aliphatic c(6) alcohols and aldehydes known to exert anxiolytic and stress-reducing effects, was investigated. with all eight stimuli, the animals discriminated concentrations ≤0.03 ppm (parts per million) from the solvent, and with three of the eight stimuli the best-scoring animals were even able to detect concentrations ≤0.03 ppb (parts per billion). three fe ...201222366215
aspm and the evolution of cerebral cortical size in a community of new world monkeys.the aspm (abnormal spindle-like microcephaly associated) gene has been proposed as a major determinant of cerebral cortical size among primates, including humans. yet the specific functions of aspm and its connection to human intelligence remain controversial. this debate is limited in part by a taxonomic focus on old world monkeys and apes. here we expand the comparative context of aspm sequence analyses with a study of new world monkeys, a radiation of primates in which enlarged brain size has ...201223028686
sleeping sites and latrines of spider monkeys in continuous and fragmented rainforests: implications for seed dispersal and forest regeneration.spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) use sites composed of one or more trees for sleeping (sleeping sites and sleeping trees, respectively). beneath these sites/trees they deposit copious amounts of dung in latrines. this behavior results in a clumped deposition pattern of seeds and nutrients that directly impacts the regeneration of tropical forests. therefore, information on the density and spatial distribution of sleeping sites and latrines, and the characteristics (i.e., composition and structu ...201223056486
to whom the play signal is directed: a study of headshaking in black-handed spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).spider monkeys shake their heads so as to facilitate amicable social contact. this occurs frequently during vigorous play fighting, and so is common during the juvenile period. occasionally, juvenile spider monkeys use headshakes during nonsocial locomotor play. in this study, head shaking in early infancy and in adulthood was studied in a captive troop of spider monkeys, with a total of 8 infants studied from shortly after birth to just before weaning. three hypotheses to account for these nons ...201121341911
inferential reasoning by exclusion in great apes, lesser apes, and spider monkeys.using the cups task, in which subjects are presented with limited visual or auditory information that can be used to deduce the location of a hidden reward, call (2004) found prima facie evidence of inferential reasoning by exclusion in several great ape species. one bonobo (pan paniscus) and two gorillas (gorilla gorilla) appeared to make such inferences in both the visual and auditory domains. however, common chimpanzees (pan troglodytes) were successful only in the visual domain, and bornean ...201121341913
traditions in spider monkeys are biased towards the social domain.cross-site comparison studies of behavioral variation can provide evidence for traditions in wild species once ecological and genetic factors are excluded as causes for cross-site differences. these studies ensure behavior variants are considered within the context of a species' ecology and evolutionary adaptations. we examined wide-scale geographic variation in the behavior of spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) across five long-term field sites in central america using a well established ethnogr ...201121373196
potential distribution of mexican primates: modeling the ecological niche with the maximum entropy algorithm.we developed a potential distribution model for the tropical rain forest species of primates of southern mexico: the black howler monkey (alouatta pigra), the mantled howler monkey (alouatta palliata), and the spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi). to do so, we applied the maximum entropy algorithm from the ecological niche modeling program maxent. for each species, we used occurrence records from scientific collections, and published and unpublished sources, and we also used the 19 environmental cov ...201121404094
Wood consumption by Geoffroyi's spider monkeys and its role in mineral supplementation.Wood consumption is a rare behavior in frugivorous primates; however, it can be necessary for nutritional balancing as it may provide macro and/or micronutrients that are scarce in the most frequently eaten items (fruits). We tested this hypothesis in six spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) communities inhabiting continuous and fragmented rainforests in Lacandona, Mexico. We investigated the importance of both live and decayed wood in the diet of the monkeys, and assessed if wood consumption is rel ...201121969868
universal behaviors as candidate traditions in wild spider monkeys.candidate traditions were documented across three communities of wild spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) using an a priori approach to identify behavioral variants and a statistical approach to examine differences in their proportional use. this methodology differs from previous studies of animal traditions, which used retrospective data and relied on the 'exclusion method' to identify candidate traditions. our a priori approach increased the likelihood that behavior variants with equivalent func ...201121949715
age related variation in male-male relationships in wild spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi yucatanensis).in social organizations characterized by male philopatry, social relationships between males are argued to be the strongest. little is known about the social relationships of philopatric male spider monkeys. to address this limitation, we investigated social relationships among individually recognized wild adult male spider monkeys from two well-habituated communities in the yucatan peninsula, mexico, focusing on affiliative behaviors important in regulating male social relationships, including ...201121881958
Influence of climatic variables, forest type, and condition on activity patterns of geoffroyi's spider monkeys throughout Mesoamerica.Understanding how species cope with variations in climatic conditions, forest types and habitat amount is a fundamental challenge for ecologists and conservation biologists. We used data from 18 communities of Mesoamerican spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) throughout their range to determine whether their activity patterns are affected by climatic variables (temperature and rainfall), forest types (seasonal and nonseasonal forests), and forest condition (continuous and fragmented). Data were der ...201121898512
Variability in core areas of spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) in a tropical dry forest in Costa Rica.Core areas are highly used parts of the home range on which the survival of solitary or group-living animals depends. We investigated the home range and core area size and area fidelity of a spider monkey community in a tropical dry forest over a 4-year period. Home ranges overlapped extensively across years, subgroup sizes, and seasons. In contrast, spider monkeys used core areas that varied in size and location across the study years, subgroup sizes, and seasons. These shifts in core areas sug ...201122094367
captive spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) arm-raise to solicit allo-grooming.old world monkeys solicit allo-grooming from conspecifics. however, there are relatively few studies of allo-grooming among spider monkeys, and descriptions of allo-grooming solicitation among spider monkeys are anecdotal. in this study, eighty-one hours of video, shot over eight weeks, captured 271 allo-grooming bouts among small groups of captive spider monkeys. six of eight monkeys made heretofore unreported arm-raises that solicited higher than normal rates of allo-grooming. allo-grooming bo ...201122206992
age-dependent changes in fecal 17beta-estradiol and progesterone concentrations in female spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).the objective of this study was to investigate whether sex steroids decreased with age in female black-handed spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi). fecal concentrations of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone (five samples/wk) and the number of ovulatory and anovulatory cycles were compared between adult (n=3) and aged females (n=2). all animals (regardless of age) had higher 17beta-estradiol concentrations during the fertile than the nonfertile phases. however, during the fertile phase, concentration ...201019963259
evidence of human-like, holistic face processing in spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).human subjects build mental representations of facial identity that are "holistic." this has been clearly demonstrated with the composite effect where the representation of a whole face interferes with the recognition of features. very few studies have sought evidence of holistic representations being built by nonhumans. this study tested captive, black-handed spider monkeys (n = 2) on a standard composite task, comparable to those run previously on human subjects. in experiment 1, the monkeys w ...201020175597
novelty-seeking temperament in captive stumptail macaques (macaca arctoides) and spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).novelty-seeking temperament is defined as the reaction to novel or risk situations and objects, and by the global disposition to explore such stimuli. our purpose was to describe and compare this trait in primates. for this purpose, a risk-taking index, a curiosity index, and a novelty-seeking index were correlated to several biosocial variables using 22 captive stumptail macaques (macaca arctoides) and 7 captive spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi). spider monkeys scored higher than macaques, male ...201020476821
multicystic bone disease (gorham-stout syndrome) in a spider monkey (ateles geoffroyi ).in april 2000, a 2.5-year-old pet female geoffroyi's spider monkey presented for reduced activity, a subdued demeanor, and boney enlargement involving both radii.201021158869
gustatory responsiveness to six bitter tastants in three species of nonhuman primates.gustatory responsiveness of six adult squirrel monkeys, four spider monkeys, and five pigtail macaques to six bitter tastants was assessed in two-bottle preference tests of brief duration (2 min). animals were given the choice between a 30-mm sucrose solution and defined concentrations of a bitter tastant dissolved in a 30-mm sucrose solution. with this procedure, saimiri sciureus, ateles geoffroyi, and macaca nemestrina were found to significantly discriminate concentrations as low as 0.2, 0.05 ...200919399556
the effect of human development on mammal populations of the punta leona private wildlife refuge, costa rica.the effect of human development on six diurnal mammal species was studied using transects in the punta leona private wildlife refuge, puntarenas, costa rica during the dry season months of march and april 2006. individuals/km was recorded for each species in more developed (md) (near paved roads, buildings, construction, or deforested trees) and less developed areas (ld) (secondary forest). the white-faced capuchin monkey (cebus capucinus) (n = 233), coatimundi (nasua narica) (n = 46), and centr ...200919637721
visual expertise does not predict the composite effect across species: a comparison between spider (ateles geoffroyi) and rhesus (macaca mulatta) monkeys.humans are subject to the composite illusion: two identical top halves of a face are perceived as "different" when they are presented with different bottom halves. this observation suggests that when building a mental representation of a face, the underlying system perceives the whole face, and has difficulty decomposing facial features. we adapted a behavioural task that measures the composite illusion to examine the perception of faces in two nonhuman species. specifically we had spider (atele ...200919815323
spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) and capuchin monkeys (cebus apella) follow gaze around barriers: evidence for perspective taking?gaze following is an adaptive skill that might have been selected in social species, such as many nonhuman primates, to obtain information about food location, predators, and social interactions. the authors investigated the ability of spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) and capuchin monkeys (cebus apella) to follow the gaze of a human around barriers and the presence of "looking back" behavior. in the 1st experiment, a human looked to a target location inside the testing room, whereas in the 2nd ...200919929105
sex differences in the social behavior of wild spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi yucatanensis).competition for resources and the need for cooperation are reported to affect patterns of social interactions and thus the quality of social relationships in primates. relationships may be described as high quality when both individuals behave in a way that benefits their partner. we investigated the distribution of a wide range of social behaviors across sex partner combinations of adult spider monkeys with specific reference to contested resources. data were collected from two communities of w ...200918942094
diet of spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) in mesoamerica: current knowledge and future directions.here we review all published articles and book chapters, as well as unpublished theses and data of ateles geoffroyi diet to (1) summarize the literature; (2) synthesize general feeding patterns; (3) document plant taxonomic similarity in diet across study sites; and (4) suggest directions for future research and conservation priorities. we found 22 samples from five countries: mexico, guatemala, el salvador, costa rica and panama. tropical wet forest is the most studied habitat (n=13 samples), f ...200918942095
seasonality of lh, testosterone and sperm parameters in spider monkey males (ateles geoffroyi).there are no reported data on hormonal fluctuations in black-handed spider monkey males. on previous research about the reproductive physiology of this monkey we have found that during the dry season females show ovulatory estrogen peaks and males present the best quality semen. as part of an ongoing research, in this study we assessed seasonal variations in the concentration of serum luteinizing hormone (lh) and testosterone (t) in three adult spider monkey males to corroborate the seasonal rep ...200919235873
pheochromocytoma in six new world primates.six new world primates, including 2 golden lion tamarins (leontopithecus rosalia), 2 cotton-top tamarins (saguinus o. oedipus), 1 black howler monkey (alouatta caraya), and 1 black-handed spider monkey (ateles g. geoffroyi), were diagnosed with unilateral (4/6) or bilateral (1/6) adrenal or extra-adrenal (1/6) pheochromocytoma by light microscopy and immunohistochemical staining for chromogranin a. overt invasive behavior or metastases were not observed in any primate, and thus these neoplasms w ...200919276065
tool use in wild spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi).tool use has been observed in a variety of primate species, including both new and old world monkeys. however, such reports mainly address the most prodigious tool users and frequently limit discussions of tool-using behavior to a foraging framework. here, we present observations of novel and spontaneous tool use in wild black-handed spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi), where female spider monkeys used detached sticks in a self-directed manner. we introduce factors to explain ateles tool-using abi ...200919370386
prevalence of fur mites (acari: atopomelidae) in non-human primates of costa rica.parasites have been investigated for some new world primates; however, very little is known about ectoparasites and specifically fur mites. in this study, alouatta palliata, cebus capucinus, saimiri oerstedii, and ateles geoffroyi monkeys from different areas of costa rica were searched for fur mites. a total of 276 monkeys were evaluated, and 51 of them were positive for mites of the family atopomelidae. listrocarpus alouattae was identified on 22.3% of a. palliata; listrocarpus capucinus on 12 ...200919637712
demographic survey of black howler monkey (alouatta pigra) in the lachuá eco-region in alta verapaz, guatemala.guatemala harbors three species of primates (alouatta palliata, alouatta pigra and ateles geoffroyi), but the distribution and state of conservation of populations of these species are poorly documented. in the case of a. pigra, populations have been studied recently and documented in several sites in mexico and belize, and only in one site in guatemala (tikal national park). in this study, we report first-time population data for a. pigra existing in the lachuá eco-region in northwestern guatem ...200817823920
predicted and verified distributions of ateles geoffroyi and alouatta palliata in oaxaca, mexico.primate conservation requires a better knowledge of the distributions and statuses of populations in both large areas of habitat and in areas for which we currently have no information. we focused on spider monkeys (ateles geoffroyi) and howler monkeys (alouatta palliata) in the state of oaxaca, mexico. this mexican state has protected large tracts of forest, and has historical records for both primates, although very little is known about them. to update our knowledge of the distributions of th ...200818523840
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