Zoological Research (Zool Res)

Publications in this journal

• Article: [TRIMCyp frequency of the cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) in captivity in China].

  Shuai Tian, Yu-Huan Meng, Ming-Yu Liu, Fei Sun, Jun-Hui Chen, Hong-Li DU, Xiao-Ning Wang
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  ABSTRACT: In most Old world monkey species, TRIM5α plays a role in combating retroviruses and restricting HIV-1. Alongside TRIM5α, the TRIMCyp fusion gene formed by the retrotransposition of a CypA pseudogene cDNA to 3' terminal or 3'-UTR of TRIM5 gene in these monkeys has become a key research area in anti HIV-1 factors. The regional differences, gene frequencies, genotypes, and retrovirus restrictive activities of TRIMCyp vary among different primate species. While the frequencies of cynomolgus TRIMCyp have been studied in several areas of Southeast Asia, the frequency and prevalence of cynomolgus TRIMCyp in China remains unclear. In this study, we screened 1, 594 cynomolgus samples from 11 monkey manufacturers located across 5 provinces in China. Our results showed that the frequencies of TRIMCyp range from 7.65% to 19.79%, markedly lower than the frequencies found in monkey species in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia (ranging from 34.85% to 100%). We speculate that potentially the latter were isolated groups established since 1978. The NE haplotype frequencies of cynomolgus TRIMCyp were 4.93% in China, also significantly lower than those found in species in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia (from 11.1% to 14.3%). Our research provides interesting findings that contribute towards a more firm basis of further studies of HIV-1 animal models and relevant pathogenesis.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):97-102.
• Article: [Streptozotocin induction of type 2 diabetes in tree shrew].

  Xiao-Yun Wu, Yun-Hai Li, Qing Chang, Lin-Qiang Zhang, Sha-Sha Liao, Bin Liang
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  ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to induce type 2 diabetes in tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis). Streptozotocin (STZ), a glucosamine derivative of nitrosourea and preferentially toxic to pancreatic beta cells, has been commonly used to induce type 1 and 2 diabetes in experimental animals. Tree shrews were treated with different low doses of STZ (60, 70, and 80 mg/kg), with six control tree shrews receiving citrate buffer. After STZ injection, tree shrews displayed increased fasting blood and urine glucose, impaired oral glucose tolerance test, and disturbed lipids metabolism and renal function. However, STZ induced tree shrews showed no diabetic complications such as diabetic lactic acidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar. Animals with the above type 2 diabetic-like symptoms were variable across the three groups from 66.7% to 100%, and mortality ranged from 16.7% to 33.3%. Thus, two 80 mg/kg STZ dose injections were appeared more appropriate than other doses to induce tree shrew model of type 2 diabetes. Our results demonstrated that type 2 diabetes could be induced with favorable STZ application in tree shrew.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):108-15.
• Article: [A DTI study of the contralateral corticospinal tract modeled through simulated intracranial space-occupying lesions in macaque brain motor areas].

  Jing-Hui Li, Fang-Zhou Ma, Zai-Zhong Wang, Yi Lu, Hai-Ying Wu, Xue-Jin Sun, Hua-Lin Yu
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  ABSTRACT: Recent studies found that a loss of motor function following corticospinal tract (CST) damage can, to some extent, be restored. Few studies, however, examine how space-occupying lesions in the brain motor area may affect the contralateral CTS structure and function. We performed a simulation of intracranial space-occupying lesions in the brain motor area by implanting of balloons into the brains of the two healthy macaques. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed on the macaques' brains four times to measure the FA values of the contralateral CST operative area. The results showed that on the day of balloon implantation, the FA values had no obvious effect, but with time the effect increased, becoming increasingly apparent one week after removing the balloons. Experimental results demonstrated that this model was both feasible and reliable. After the simulated space-occupying lesions occurred in the brain motor area, DTI showed a compensatory response of the contralateral CTS, which remained for a short period of time even after the lesions were removed. This result suggests that the contralateral CST may then also contribute to recovery of limb function.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):103-7.
• Article: [Isolation and identification of Tupaia orthoreovirus].

  Juan Xu, Xiao-Yan Huang, Xiao-Fei Li, Wen-Guang Wang, An-Guo Yin, Xue-Shan Xia, Xiao-Mei Sun, Xie-Jie Dai
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  ABSTRACT: Pathogenic viruses can harm acutely the life and health of laboratory tree shrews acutely; however, few papers exist regarding natural pathogenic virus infection in this species. Six fecal samples obtained from dead tree shrews were collected. The fecal supernatant infected Vero cell line resulted in cytopathic effects (CPE) after 72 h. The CPE included granulating, shrinking, rounding, seining and falling off. Electron microscopy showed the isolation was spherical, double-layered capsid, and about 75 nm in diameter. The purified isolation genome was 10 segments in a typical 3:3:4 arrangements, as shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The isolation was confirmed by RT-PCR assays targeting the conserved region of the L1 gene, sequence analysis and reconstruction of a phylogenetic tree. The isolation was a Tupaia Orthoreovirus (TRV), belonging to Mammalian Orthoreovirus (MRV). The obtained strain had the closest phylogenetic relationship to the MRV strain T3/Bat/Germany/342/08. As a zoonotic virus, the novel TRV strain was first isolated from wild tree shrews, which is significant for promoting tree shrew standardization and providing scientific data for preventing zoonotic tree shrew-to-human transmission.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):116-20.
• Article: [Use and research of pigtailed macaques in nonhuman primate HIV/AIDS models].

  Ai-Hua Lei, Wei Pang, Gao-Hong Zhang, Yong-Tang Zheng
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  ABSTRACT: Nonhuman primate animal models play an important role in studying HIV-1 pathogenesis, developing antiviral drugs and vaccines. Due to the lack of animals that can be directly infected with HIV-1, SIV/SHIV-infected macaques have been widely used in AIDS research. Although these models are somewhat similar to human AIDS, there are many limitations due to genetic differences between SIV/SHIV and HIV-1. Developing a suitable nonhuman primate animal model is still an important topic in HIV/AIDS research. The pigtailed macaque is the only primate in Old World monkeys that can be infected with HIV-1 and offer many benefits as HIV-1 intravenous and sexual transmission models. Here we reviewed the characteristics of pigtailed macaque models infected by SIV, HIV, SHIV, and HSIV via intravenous and mucosal routes. In addition, we briefly introduced the molecular mechanisms of viral replication in pigtailed macaque cells, and discussed the limitations and prospects of pigtailed macaque models in AIDS research.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):77-88.
• Article: [Molecular evidence on the phylogenetic position of tree shrews].

  Ling Xu, Yu Fan, Xue-Long Jiang, Yong-Gang Yao
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  ABSTRACT: The tree shrew is currently located in the Order Scandentia and is widely distributed in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and South China. Due to its unique characteristics, such as small body size, high brain-to-body mass ratio, short reproductive cycle and life span, and low-cost of maintenance, the tree shrew has been proposed as an alternative experimental animal to primates in biomedical research. However, there is unresolved debate regarding the phylogenetic affinity of tree shrews to primates and their phylogenetic position in Euarchontoglires. To help settle this debate, we summarized the available molecular evidence on the phylogenetic position of the tree shrew. Most nuclear DNA data, including recent genome data, suggested that the tree shrew belongs to the Euarchonta clade harboring primates and flying lemurs (colugos). However, analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data suggested a close relationship to lagomorphs and rodents. These different clustering patterns could be explained by nuclear gene data and mtDNA data discrepancies, as well as the different phylogenetic approaches used in previous studies. Taking all available conclusions together, the robust data from whole genome of this species supports tree shrews being genetically closely related to primates.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):70-6.
• Article: Social rank and cortisol among female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).

  Dong-Dong Qin, Joshua Dominic Rizak, Xiao-Li Feng, Xun-Xun Chu, Shang-Chuan Yang, Chun-Lu Li, Long-Bao Lv, Yuan-Ye Ma, Xin-Tian Hu
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  ABSTRACT: In animal societies, some stressful events can lead to higher levels of physiological stress. Such stressors, like social rank, also predict an increased vulnerability to an array of diseases. However, the physiological relationship between social rank and stress varies between different species, as well as within groups of a single species. For example, dominant individuals are more socially stressed at times, while at other times it is the subordinate ones who experience this stress. Together, these variations make it difficult to assess disease vulnerability as connected to social interactions. In order to learn more about how physiological rank relationships vary between groups of a single species, cortisol measurements from hair samples were used to evaluate the effects of dominance rank on long-term stress levels in despotic and less stringent female rhesus macaque hierarchal groups. In despotic groups, cortisol levels were found not to be correlated with social rank, but a negative correlation was found between social rank and cortisol levels in less stringent hierarchies. Low ranking monkeys in less stringent groups secreted elevated levels of cortisol compared to higher ranking animals. These data suggest that variations in the strictness of the dominance hierarchy are determining factors in rank related stress physiology. The further consideration of nonhuman primate social system diversity and the linear degree of their hierarchies may allow for the development of valid rank-related stress models that will help increase our understanding and guide the development of new therapeutics for diseases related to human socioeconomic status.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):E42-9.
• Article: Characterization of 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers in the Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis).

  Xiao-Hong Liu, Yong-Gang Yao
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  ABSTRACT: The Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) is a small experimental animal with a close affinity to primates. This species has long been proposed to be an alternative experimental animal to primates in biomedical research. Despite decades of study, there is no pure breed for this animal, and the overall genetic diversity of wild tree shrews remains largely unknown. In order to obtain a set of genetic markers for evaluating the genetic diversity of tree shrew wild populations and tracing the lineages in inbreeding populations, we developed 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers from the genomic DNA of the tree shrew. An analysis of a wild population of 117 individuals collected from the suburb of Kunming, China, showed that these loci exhibited a highly expected heterozygosity (0.616). These 12 microsatellites were sufficient for individual identification and parentage analysis. The microsatellite markers developed in this study will be of use in evaluating genetic diversity and lineage tracing for the tree shrew.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):E62-8.
• Article: Visuospatial properties of caudal area 7b in Maca ca fascicularis.

  Hui-Hui Jiang, Ying-Zhou Hu, Jian-Hong Wang, Yuan-Ye Ma, Xin-Tian Hu
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  ABSTRACT: To proceed from sensation to movement, integration and transformation of information from different senses and reference frames are required. Several brain areas are involved in this transformation process, but previous neuroanatomical and neurophysiological studies have implicated the caudal area 7b as one particular component of this transformation system. In this study, we present the first quantitative report on the spatial coding properties of caudal area 7b. The results showed that neurons in this area had intermediate component characteristics in the transformation system; the area contained bimodal neurons, and neurons in this area encode spatial information using a hybrid reference frame. These results provide evidence that caudal area 7b may belong to the reference frame transformation system, thus contributing to our general understanding of the transformation system.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):E50-61.
• Article: [Measurement and analysis of hematology and blood chemistry parameters in northern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca leonina)].

  Wei Pang, Long-Bao Lü, Yun Wang, Gui Li, Dong-Ti Huang, Ai-Hua Lei, Gao-Hong Zhang, Yong-Tang Zheng
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  ABSTRACT: The pig-tailed macaque is an important non-human primate experimental animal model that has been widely used in the research of AIDS and other diseases. Pig-tailed macaques include Mentawai macaques (Macaca pagensis), Sunda pig-tailed macaques (M. nemestrina) and northern pig-tailed macaques (M. leonina). Northern pig-tailed macaques inhabit China and surrounding Southeast Asia countries. To our knowledge, no reports have been published regarding the hematology and blood chemistry parameters of northern pig-tailed macaques, which are important for the objective evaluation of experimental results. We measured and analyzed 18 hematology parameters and 13 blood chemistry parameters in juvenile (aged 2-4 years) and adult (aged 5-10 years) northern pig-tailed macaques. We found that red blood cells, hemoglobin and alkaline phosphatase values were lower in female macaques than male macaques in both juvenile and adult groups. White blood cells, lymphocyte, monocytes, platelet distribution width, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase values were higher in juvenile macaques than adult macaques, while creatinine and triglycerides values were lower in juvenile macaques. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin and creatinine values were positively correlated with weight in juvenile groups. In adult groups, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, percentage of granulocyte, hemoglobin and creatinine were also positively correlated with weight, and lymphocyte, percentage of lymphocyte, red cell distribution width, aspartate aminotransferase and cholesterol values were negatively correlated with weight. The results suggest that age, gender and weight of northern pig-tailed macaques affected their hematology and blood chemistry parameters. This hematological and blood chemistry study has great significance in biomedical research and animal models using northern pig-tailed macaque as an experimental animal.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):89-96.
• Article: [Tree shrews under the spot light: emerging model of human diseases].

  Lin Xu, Yun Zhang, Bin Liang, Long-Bao Lü, Ce-Shi Chen, Yong-Bin Chen, Ju-Min Zhou, Yong-Gang Yao
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  ABSTRACT: Animal models are indispensible in biomedical research and have made tremendous contributions to answer fundamental questions on human biology, disease mechanisms, and to the development of new drugs and diagnostic tools. Due to the limitations of rodent models in translational medicine, tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis), the closest relative of primates, have attracted increasing attention in modeling human diseases and therapeutic responses. Here we discuss the recent progress in tree shrew biology and the development of tree shrews as human disease models including infectious diseases, metabolic diseases, neurological and psychiatric diseases, and cancers. Meanwhile, the current problems and future perspectives of the tree shrew model are explored.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):59-69.
• Article: [cDNA cloning and sequence analysis of pluripotency genes in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri)].

  Cai-Yun Wang, Yun-Han Ma, Da-Jian He, Shi-Hua Yang
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  ABSTRACT: In this paper, partial sequences of the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) Klf4, Sox2, and c-Myc genes were cloned and sequenced, which were 382, 612, and 485 bp in length and encoded 127, 204, and 161 amino acids, respectively. Whereas, their cDNA sequence identities with those of human were 89%, 98%, and 89%, respectively. Their phylogenetic tree results indicated different topologies and suggested individual evolutional pathways. These results can facilitate further functional studies.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):127-31.
• Article: [Measurement and analysis of anatomical parameter values in tree shrews].

  Bo Li, Rong-Ping Zhang, Jin-Tao Li, Bao-Li He, Hong Zhen, Li-Mei Wang, Jian-Lin Jiao
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  ABSTRACT: Anatomical parameter values in tree shrews are major biological characteristic indicators in laboratory animals. Body size, bones and mammilla, organ weights, coefficient intestinal canal and other anatomical data were measured and analyzed in laboratory domesticated tree shrews (7 to 9 months of age). Measurement of 31 anatomical parameters showed that body height, width of the right ear, ileum and colon had significant differences between males and females (P<0.05). Highly significant differences were also found in body slanting length, chest depth, torso length, left and right forelimb length, right hind limb length, left and right ear length, left ear width, keel bone length, left and right tibia length, duodenum and jejunum (P<0.01). With body length as the dependent variable, and tail length, torso length, right and left forelimb length, and left and right hind limb length as independent variables for stepwise regression analysis, the regression equation for body length = 13.90 + tail length × 0.16. The results of 37 organs weights between female and male tree shrews showed very significant differences (P<0.01) for weight of heart, lungs, spleen, left and right kidney, bladder, left and right hippocampus, left submandibular gland, and left and right thyroid gland, as well as significant (P<0.05) differences in the small intestine, right submandibular gland, and left adrenal gland. The coefficient of heart, lung, stomach, bladder, small and large intestine, brain, right hippocampus, and left adrenal gland showed highly significant differences (P<0.01), while differences in the right kidney, left hippocampus, left submandibular gland, right adrenal gland, and left and right thyroid gland were significant (P<0.05). With animal weight as the dependent variable and indicators of heart, lung, liver, spleen, left and right kidney and brain as independent variables for stepwise regression analysis, the regression equation showed that weight = 62.73 + left kidney × 79.21 + heart × 24.09. Female and male laboratory domesticated tree shrews showed certain influences in body size, organ weight and coefficient, and intestinal canal regarding anatomical parameters. This experiment provides basic data for studies on laboratory tree shrews and animal models.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):132-8.
• Article: [Analysis of the molecular characteristics and cloning of full-length coding sequence of Interleukin-2 in tree shrews].

  Xiao-Yan Huang, Ming-Li Li, Juan Xu, Yue-Dong Gao, Wen-Guang Wang, An-Guo Yin, Xiao-Fei Li, Xiao-Mei Sun, Xue-Shan Xia, Jie-Jie Dai
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  ABSTRACT: While the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) is an excellent animal model for studying the mechanisms of human diseases, but few studies examine interleukin-2 (IL-2), an important immune factor in disease model evaluation. In this study, a 465 bp of the full-length IL-2 cDNA encoding sequence was cloned from the RNA of tree shrew spleen lymphocytes, which were then cultivated and stimulated with ConA (concanavalin). Clustal W 2.0 was used to compare and analyze the sequence and molecular characteristics, and establish the similarity of the overall structure of IL-2 between tree shrews and other mammals. The homology of the IL-2 nucleotide sequence between tree shrews and humans was 93%, and the amino acid homology was 80%. The phylogenetic tree results, derived through the Neighbour-Joining method using MEGA5.0, indicated a close genetic relationship between tree shrews, Homo sapiens, and Macaca mulatta. The three-dimensional structure analysis showed that the surface charges in most regions of tree shrew IL-2 were similar to between tree shrews and humans; however, the N-glycosylation sites and local structures were different, which may affect antibody binding. These results provide a fundamental basis for the future study of IL-2 monoclonal antibody in tree shrews, thereby improving their utility as a model.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):121-6.
• Article: Basal physiological parameters in domesticated tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis).

  Jing Wang, Xin-Li Xu, Ze-Yang Ding, Rong-Rong Mao, Qi-Xin Zhou, Long-Bao Lü, Li-Ping Wang, Shuang Wang, Chen Zhang, Lin Xu, Yue-Xiong Yang
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  ABSTRACT: Establishing non-human primate models of human diseases is an efficient way to narrow the large gap between basic studies and translational medicine. Multifold advantages such as simplicity of breeding, low cost of feeding and facility of operating make the tree shrew an ideal non-human primate model proxy. Additional features like vulnerability to stress and spontaneous diabetic characteristics also indicate that the tree shrew could be a potential new animal model of human diseases. However, basal physiological indexes of tree shrew, especially those related to human disease, have not been systematically reported. Accordingly, we established important basal physiological indexes of domesticated tree shrews including several factors: (1) body weight, (2) core body temperature and rhythm, (3) diet metabolism, (4) locomotor rhythm, (5) electroencephalogram, (6) glycometabolism and (7) serum and urinary hormone level and urinary cortisol rhythm. We compared the physiological parameters of domesticated tree shrew with that of rats and macaques. Results showed that (a) the core body temperature of the tree shrew was 39.59±0.05 ℃, which was higher than that of rats and macaques; (b) Compared with wild tree shrews, with two activity peaks, domesticated tree shrews had only one activity peak from 17:30 to 19:30; (c) Compared with rats, tree shrews had poor carbohydrate metabolism ability; and (d) Urinary cortisol rhythm indicated there were two peaks at 8:00 and 17:00 in domesticated tree shrews, which matched activity peaks in wild tree shrews. These results provided basal physiological indexes for domesticated tree shrews and laid an important foundation for diabetes and stress-related disease models established on tree shrews.
  Zoological Research 04/2013; 34(2):E69-74.
• Article: Blockage of glucocorticoid receptors during memory acquisition, retrieval and reconsolidation prevents the expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preferences in mice.

  Yao-Dong Fan, Hai-Chen Niu, Tanzeel Huma, Ling Li, Gui-Mei Wang, Li-Qi Xu, He Ren, Yuan-Ye Ma, Hua-Lin Yu
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  ABSTRACT: Association between the reward caused by consuming drugs and the context in which they are consumed is essential in the formation of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). Glucocorticoid receptor (GRs) activation in different regions of the brain affects reward-based reinforcement and memory processing. A wide array of studies have demonstrated that blockage of GRs in some brain areas can have an effect on reward-related memory; however, to date there have been no systematic studies about the involvement of glucocorticoids (GCs) in morphine-related reward memory. Here, we used the GR antagonist RU38486 to investigate how GRs blockage affects the sensitization and CPP behavior during different phases of reward memory included acquisition, retrieval and reconsolidation. Interestingly, our results showed RU38486 has the ability to impair the acquisition, retrieval and reconsolidation of reward-based memory in CPP and sensitization behavior. But RU38486 by itself cannot induce CPP or conditioned place aversion (CPA) behavior. Our data provide a much more complete picture of the potential effects that glucocorticoids have on the reward memory of different phases and inhibit the sensitization behavior.
  Zoological Research 02/2013; 34(E1):E26-34.
• Article: Attacks on adult females with infants by non-resident males in the Francois langur.

  Qi-Hai Zhou, Bang Luo, Cheng-Ming Huang
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  ABSTRACT: Infanticide by males is a common phenomenon in mammals, especially primates, as lactation lasts much longer than gestation in many species. Usually, infanticidal episodes occur soon after group takeovers, and are traditionally considered a male reproductive strategy (i.e., support the sexual selection hypothesis, Hrdy, 1974). To verify the validity of this conception, we observed one group of Francois' langurs in the Nonggang Nature Reserve, China, between August 2003 and July 2004. During the study period, a Francois' langur female with the youngest infant in the group was attacked three times by immigrating males, and later disappeared by the third day after the final attack. We suggest that these attacks on the female-infant dyad represent infanticide attempts by males, and may be the cause of the adult female and her infant's disappearance. Presumably, that female dispersed with her infant to avoid infanticide and was not killed. Though these observations do not completely verify the sexual selection hypothesis, they are not inconsistent with it.
  Zoological Research 02/2013; 34(E1):E9-E12.
• Article: Seasonal variations in the energy budget of Elliot's pheasant (Syrmaticus ellioti) in cage.

  Ying Luo, Tai-Lin Yu, Cheng-Ming Huang, Tong Zhao, Han-Hua Li, Chang-Jian Li
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  ABSTRACT: This study aimed to discuss the energy budget of Elliot's pheasant Syrmaticus ellioti in different seasons, with life and health, good growth and normal digestion of Elliot's pheasant as the tested objects, The energy budget of Elliot's pheasant was measured by daily collection of the trial pheasants' excrement in the biological garden of Guangxi Normal University from March 2011 to February 2012. The results showed that the gross energy consumption, metabolic energy and excrement energy varied by season, increasing as temperature decreased. There was significant difference in gross energy consumption, metabolic energy, excrement energy between adults and nonages. There was also a trend that food digestibility of pheasants increases as temperature increases. In the same season, the food digestibility of adults was better than that of nonages. Throughout spring, summer, autumn and winter, the metabolic energy of 4-year adults were 305.77±13.40 kJ/d, 263.67±11.89 kJ/d, 357.23±25.49 kJ/d and 403.12±24.91 kJ/d, respectively, and the nonages were 284.86±17.22 kJ/d, 284. 66±15.16 kJ/d, 402. 26±31.46 kJ/d and 420. 30±31.98 kJ/d, respectively. The minimum metabolic energies were 247.65±21.81 g, 265.86±26.53 g, respectively for each group, detected between 4-year adults and 1-year nonages. Further study is needed to determine whether 29.6 C is the optimal temperature for the Elliot's pheasant.
  Zoological Research 02/2013; 34(E1):E19-25.
• Article: Proximity association in polygynous western black crested gibbons (Nomascus concolor jingdongensis): network structure and seasonality.

  Zhen-Hua Guan, Bei Huang, Wen-He Ning, Qing-Yong Ni, Xue-Long Jiang
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  ABSTRACT: We investigated the structure and seasonality of the proximity network in a group of polygynous western black crested gibbons (Nomascus concolor) using social network analysis. The spatial proximity changed seasonally and was affected by temperature and rainfall. Preferred proximity association was not distributed randomly among individuals. Kinship was one explanation for the social structure, as offspring preferred to maintain close proximity with their mothers. The proximity of infants to mothers decreased with age, and independent offspring had lower proximity to mothers than dependent ones. We found that the adult male had different proximity relationships with two different adult females. The frequency of proximity between the male and the infant-carrying female was significantly higher than that between the male and the female who had immigrated carrying one offspring of uncertain paternity into the group. Infanticide avoidance and/or predation protection for dependent infants might explain the proximity relationship differences. Temperature influenced group proximity association, with individual proximity increasing in the cold months and decreasing in the hot months. Group proximity decreased in months with higher anthropogenic disturbance.
  Zoological Research 02/2013; 34(E1):E1-8.