Articles tagged with Primates
Researchers at the University of Warwick found that the indri, the world's only known singing lemur, uses a vocal technique similar to trained opera singers to hit high notes. The indri opens its mouth wider to project higher-pitched vocalizations through the forest, a process that may serve a similar purpose to formant tuning in humans.
Researchers found strong similarities in small-scale structural properties and gene expression patterns between humans and macaques, but more differences in large-scale connections. Chimpanzees occupy an intermediate position between macaques and humans, with brain systems showing reorganization in sensory, motor, and internal informat...
Researchers have compiled a comprehensive updated checklist of terrestrial mammals on Hainan Island, China's largest tropical island. The study documents 95 species, including 12.91% of China's terrestrial mammalian species richness, and identifies 10 species as threatened under IUCN criteria.
Researchers used infrared cameras to create a 3D view of biodiversity in the Congo Basin, revealing which mammals share the forest and how they use that space. The study identified 47 mammal taxa and found that 25% of arboreal mammals preferred the understory, highlighting the value of surveying the lower-mid forest strata.
Capuchin monkeys turn to vertebrate prey during times of plant food scarcity, a pattern similar to human carnivory. Males hunt more often and prefer fat-dense tissues, suggesting a preference for brains and guts.
A non-invasive eye-tracking study reveals that gibbons gaze into the eyes when looking at others, a behavior shared with humans, great apes, and macaques. The study provides new insights into the evolutionary foundations of face perception and social information processing in primates.
A study from Ohio State University found that sooty mangabey monkeys, with feet similar to those of humans, can climb vertical tree trunks with ease. The research suggests that the last common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees could have been a vertical climber, challenging existing theories about foot structure and forest environment...
In contrast to previous studies on human food-sharing practices, female Guinea baboons have diverse sources of meat and do not rely heavily on their primary males. The researchers observed that females often catch prey themselves and access alternative sources of meat.
The first complete marmoset genome is now available, providing a high-quality reference for studying complex diseases like Alzheimer's. The new genome reveals variation in genes linked to Alzheimer's disease, as well as immune system genes and previously un-catalogued ribosomal DNA genes.
Researchers used fossil skulls and virtual models to find that the neocortex's expansion was tied to increased visual input. The study challenges a long-held idea about how primates developed large brains.
In a new study, researchers found that wild capuchin monkeys prioritize stones with proven track records of cracking nuts, even if they're not the mechanically optimal choice. This demonstrates that primates rely on durable physical traces to guide their tool selection.
A new study from the University of Kansas has introduced a new species of ancient primate, Tetonius varleyorum, which suggests its evolution might be more complex than previously thought. The discovery of this fossil at Smiley Draw in Wyoming provides fresh detail to the biogeographic and evolutionary history of primates.
Researchers at Emory University developed an AI system, CapuchinAI, to automate cognitive studies of capuchin monkeys in the wild using facial recognition and real-time testing. The system identifies individual capuchins with 97% accuracy and provides a scalable field method for cognitive testing.
Researchers found that primates play, groom and care for animals from different species, hinting at social curiosity and readiness to form cross-species bonds. These behaviors may represent evolutionary building blocks for human-animal companionship.
Researchers at Kyoto University successfully eliminated hepatitis C virus in six chimpanzees using direct-acting antiviral therapy, improving their liver function and health. However, two chimpanzees died of liver cancer, highlighting the need for further study and potential drug resistance.
A new species of colobus monkey, 'Likweli', has been identified by its distinctive facial markings and unique call. The rare species is found in the dense forests of Lomami National Park and is considered Endangered due to its small geographic range and population size.
A previously unknown species of African monkey, Colobus congoensis, has been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The species, known locally as Likweli, features a distinctive orange face patch and is one of the rarest discoveries in modern primatology.
Researchers confirm discovery of new African monkey species Colobus congoensis, previously unknown in over 75 years. The species is distinct from other African colobus monkeys with unique cranial, dental, and skeletal characteristics.
A new tool generates realistic monkey body animations, revealing an uncanny valley effect where macaques prefer less realistic avatars to highly realistic ones. The study provides the first evidence that non-human primates experience this phenomenon.
A team of wildlife health experts and surgeons from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and UC San Diego Health performed a groundbreaking mastoidectomy on Mizani, a 12-year-old western lowland gorilla. The procedure successfully treated an infection that had spread into portions of his skull, allowing him to make a full recovery.
A University of Auckland scientist has uncovered the fates of chimpanzees who starred in seminal psychological studies. The apes were transported to Europe after the research centre closed down, where they faced harsh conditions, inadequate diet and social upheaval, leading to their premature deaths.
A recent study found that protecting primates in China's Yunnan province can also protect other animals and plants, highlighting the importance of umbrella species conservation. The research showed that large-bodied vertebrates need vast areas to support populations, which are habitats for many other species.
New analysis supports the brain lag hypothesis, suggesting that some primate lineages' brain sizes overshot expectations after catching up with body size. This finding implies that large-brained primates may have evolved to form complex social groups for protection.
Researchers at UCL found that some small-bodied primates experience a tight cephalopelvic fit during childbirth due to their large newborn heads. These species, such as American monkeys and bushbabies, have developed adaptations to make the process less difficult, including pelvic expansion or delayed pelvic bone fusion.
A study reveals that the rhythmic structure of laughter has remained constant in all living great apes, including humans, for at least 15 million years. This finding offers unexpected clues to the evolution of human speech, suggesting that sophisticated vocal control is a fundamental building block.
New research reveals orangutans selectively consume certain medicinal plants in specific sequences, suggesting 'self-medication' behaviors. The study, based on 20 years of observations, found plant combinations with known medicinal benefits are eaten consistently beyond simple nutrition needs.
In a study on Japanese macaques, researchers found that semi-shade is an important thermoregulatory option under hot, dry conditions. The macaques preferred semi-shade over full shade or sun when it was hot and dry, but not humid. This suggests that semi-shade may play a significant role in helping endotherms cope with heat stress.
Researchers discovered that strokes cause a chain reaction within the brain, leading to neuronal cell death. They found that blocking collagen production can prevent this damage and even restore motor function in paralyzed monkeys. The new drug KDS12025 reduces hydrogen peroxide levels and prevents the entire process from being triggered.
In a unique behavior, monkeys on Gibraltar have learned to eat dirt to help them digest the junk food consumed by tourists, which disrupts their gut microbiome. The researchers found that geophagy is socially learned and has become part of the macaques' culture, with different troops having preferences for certain types of soil.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin observe permanent fission in wild chimpanzees, resulting in sustained intergroup violence. The findings suggest that relational dynamics can drive polarization and lethal conflict in chimps without language, ethnicity, or ideology.
Researchers observed female baboons' vaginal tract altering sperm survival based on male genetic makeup, with strongest responses to genetically similar males. The study suggests post-copulatory mate selection via vaginal immune responses and pH in the baboon species.
Four UMass Amherst researchers have been elected as American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellows for their distinguished contributions to various fields. Om Parkash Dhankher's work in agricultural biotechnology has led to the development of arsenic-free rice and phytoremediation of toxic metals.
Researchers at Kyoto University's EHUB center analyzed the musical performances of a 26-year-old male chimpanzee named Ayumu. The study found that Ayumu's instrumental sound-making was not random and exhibited isochronous intervals, similar to a metronome.
A study published in PLOS One found that humans can recognize and mimic emotional expressions of non-human primates, indicating a strong empathetic response. The researchers assessed facial expressions and emotional states of participants, revealing a strong connection between humans and non-human primates
The discovery of miniscule Purgatorius fossils in Colorado provides fresh insights into the evolution of the earliest-known relative of all primates. The find suggests that archaic primates originated in the north and spread southward, diversifying soon after the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period.
Scientists have discovered the southernmost Purgatorius fossils, challenging long-standing assumptions about archaic primate habitats. The new findings suggest that these early primates originated in the north and spread southward, diversifying after the mass extinction event.
A gene therapy platform successfully mapped the living brain noninvasively, using engineered proteins to track gene expression in different brain regions. This technology has the potential to reveal critical information about cellular activity and neurological disease progression.
A new study published in Global Ecology and Conservation found that released animals, like Bengal slow lorises, are at risk of being attacked by territorial peers. Only two out of nine released animals survived, with the others dying due to fatal attacks.
Research reveals that hunting pressure is shrinking safe space for mandrills in Equatorial Guinea's Monte Alén National Park. Mandrills are adapting to changing conditions by focusing on high-quality sites with limited human impact.
Researchers found that hot spring bathing in Japanese macaques subtly reshapes their relationships with parasites and gut microbes. The study suggests that behavior can shape the animal holobiont and act as an important driver of animal health.
Dr. Noritaka Ichinohe challenges the long-held assumption that averaging away individual differences is necessary in psychiatric research. Instead, biological heterogeneity is seen as a phenomenon demanding explanation. The author's work on primate brain mapping and molecular subtyping has identified convergence points between species ...
The study demonstrates the auditory cortex's ability to integrate fine-scale and coarse-scale temporal cues during synchronization, with better performance in macaques compared to the middle glandular body. The nonlinguistic oddball paradigm shows promise for clinical applications in psychiatric disorders and future research should exp...
Male bonobos focus their mating efforts on females who have reached maximum swelling and are older, indicating a higher probability of ovulation. This flexible strategy allows them to overcome the unreliable nature of female fertility signals.
A study by UCLA's Brian Wood and University of Michigan's John Mitani found a link between lethal aggression, territorial expansion, and improved reproductive success in wild chimpanzees. The Ngogo group's territory grew after coordinated attacks, leading to increased fertility and survival rates among females.
Researchers developed a novel method called cytoarchitecture-based link estimation (CABLE) to infer axonal pathways from routine histology, reconstructing three-dimensional whole-brain fiber tracts at cellular scale. CABLE outperforms existing neuroimaging tools in resolving complex geometries and has potential applications in psychiat...
Researchers analyzed ape skulls to find that humans evolved the largest brain size and flattest face among closely related species. This rapid evolution suggests a strong link between cranial structure and cognitive abilities, but social factors may also play a role in human skull development.
Two muriqui species, largest primates in the Americas, face significant habitat loss due to climate change. By 2090, up to 61% of their suitable habitats may be reduced, mainly confined to coastal regions of the Atlantic Forest.
A year-long study on Japanese macaques found that their gut microbiome composition and fermentative ability adjust seasonally to improve digestive efficiency. The study reveals that mature leaf consumption boosts the fermentative ability of the gut microbiome, helping monkeys handle chemically defended foods during harsh winters.
Researchers at UC Berkeley find that chimpanzees consume about 14 grams of pure ethanol per day, equivalent to one standard American drink. This chronic exposure suggests a dietary heritage of alcohol from our common ancestor with chimpanzees.
A new study links the size of male proboscis monkeys' noses to their unique vocal characteristics, suggesting a significant impact on individual identity. The findings shed light on the complex interplay between anatomy, acoustics, and social behavior in animals, with potential implications for human communication.
Young orangutans develop nighttime nest building skills via observational social learning by closely watching their mothers build nests. They practice these complex constructions to become skilled nest builders, with a strong emphasis on active watching and learning from mistakes.
Research finds lemurs evolved in multiple successive radiations, with hybridization contributing to new species emergence. Over 100 lemur species exist, but many are endangered due to habitat destruction and climate change.
A study by Steve Chang explores how oxytocin influences brain activity to shape social behavior in rhesus monkeys. The researchers found that oxytocin increased activity in the basolateral amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex when monkeys were socially motivated, maintaining beneficial decisions and social task behavior.
Female gorillas avoid groups with males they grew up with and instead seek out familiar females, highlighting the importance of social relationships in dispersal decisions. The study reveals that investing in these relationships can be crucial for cooperation within groups.
A study published in PNAS suggests that early primates evolved in North America's cold climate with hot summers and freezing winters, rather than warm tropical forests. This finding challenges the long-held narrative and provides insights into how ancient primates adapted to survive climate change.
Researchers observed 22 wild chimpanzees and found that their communication style was similar to that of their mother and maternal relatives, but not their father and paternal relatives. This suggests that chimpanzees may learn their communication behavior through social interaction with their mothers.
Researchers have identified 48 previously unknown bacterial species in the indri's microbiome, which is largely established through transmission between members of the same social group. This finding has significant implications for preserving the species' habitat and preventing extinction.
A new study has coined the term 'scrumping' to describe great apes' fondness for eating ripe, fermented fruit from the forest floor. The researchers suggest that this behavior may have played a significant role in the evolution of human alcohol tolerance.
Researchers have identified a single genetic difference in Fas Ligand, an immune protein, that makes it vulnerable to being disabled by plasmin, a tumor-associated enzyme. This vulnerability seems unique to humans and may contribute to the effectiveness of certain cancer treatments.
Researchers have uncovered a new species of Swaindelphys, a large metatherian that lived around 60 million years ago in Texas' Big Bend National Park. The species, dubbed Swaindelphys solastella, is significantly larger than similar species known from the same period.