Project description:DNA methylation data from several primate species profiled on the mammalian methylation array (HorvathMammalMethylChip40) which focuses on highly conserved CpGs across mammalian species. We selected a total of 91 samples from animals representing 26 strepsirrhine species, in most cases, the entire lifespan, from immature (infant or juvenile) to senile stages: 68 samples from peripheral blood, 23 samples from skin Blood and skin samples from many different primates. We profiled the following species: Cheirogaleus medius (Fat-tailed dwarf lemur), Daubentonia madagascariensis (Aye-aye), Eulemur albifrons (White-headed lemur), Eulemur collaris (Collared brown lemur), Eulemur coronatus (Crowned lemur), Eulemur flavifrons (Blue-eyed black lemur), Eulemur fulvus (Brown lemur), Eulemur macaco (Black lemur), Eulemur mongoz (Mongoose lemur), Eulemur rubriventer (Red-bellied lemur), Eulemur rufus (Red-fronted lemur), Eulemur sanfordi (Sanford's brown lemur), Galago moholi (South African galago), Hapalemur griseus (Bamboo lemur), Lemur catta (Ring-tailed lemur), Loris tardigradus (Slender loris), Microcebus murinus (Gray mouse lemur), Mirza zaza (Northern giant mouse lemur), Nycticebus coucang (Slow loris), Otolemur crassicaudatus (Greater galago), Perodicticus potto (Potto), Propithecus diadema (Diademed sifaka), Propithecus tattersalli (Golden-crowned sifaka), Varecia rubra (Red ruffed lemur). Peripheral blood was collected through venipuncture with standard procedures, either during a routine veterinary procedure or at time of necropsy. Skin tissues were collected during necropsies.
Project description:However despotic a social group may be, managing conflicts of interest is crucial to preserve group living benefits, mainly based on cooperation. In despotic groups, post-conflict management via reconciliation (the first post-conflict reunion between former opponents) can occur, even if conciliatory rates are considerably different. Lemur catta is defined as a despotic species because groups are characterized by a strict linear hierarchy maintained by the adult females (the dominant sex) mainly via aggression. Reconciliation was reported in one out of four captive groups of L. catta. Here we investigate which variables influence the occurrence of reconciliation in these despotic groups. We analyzed 2339 Post Conflict (PC)-Matched Control (MC) observation pairs, collected on eight groups (five in the Berenty forest, Madagascar; three hosted at the Pistoia Zoo, Italy). Since L. catta is characterized by steep female dominance but shows female-female coalitionary support, we expected to confirm the presence of reconciliation in the study species. Consistently, we found reconciliation in one captive group and two wild groups, thus providing the first evidence of the presence of this phenomenon in wild L. catta. Moreover, because this species is a seasonal breeder (with mating occurring once a year), we expected seasonal fluctuations in reconciliation levels. Via a GLMM analysis using data from all wild groups and on a captive group followed for more than one year, we found that season (but not rank; individuals' identity, sex, and age; or group identity) significantly affected individual reconciliation rates, and such rates were lowest during the mating period. Thus, reconciliation can be present in groups in which dominants strongly influence and limit social relationships (steep dominance hierarchy) except when the advantages of intra-group cooperation are overcome by competition, as occurs in seasonal breeders when reproduction is at stake. We conclude that in despotic social groups in which coalitions are observed, the right question is not if but when reconciliation can be present.
Project description:(1) Background: Taenia crassiceps is a cosmopolitan tapeworm endemic to the northern hemisphere with an indirect lifecycle. Its definitive hosts are carnivores, and its intermediate hosts are rodents and rabbits. Nonhuman primates in zoos appear to be highly susceptible to T. crassiceps cysticercosis. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence and the molecular characterization of T. crassiceps cysts isolated from a captive ring-tailed lemur. (2) Methods: Surgery revealed multifocal, transparent saccules containing several thin-walled tapeworm cysticerci. In some of the metacestodes, single or multiple exogenous buds from daughter cysticerci were spotted. A molecular analysis was performed to confirm our morphological examinations, using two protocols to obtain the partial nad1 and cox1 genes of the Taenia sp. (3) Results: On the basis of morphological features and molecular analysis, the cysticerci were identified as T. crassiceps metacestodes, and products taken from the PCRs were sequenced. With respect to interpreting the sequencing results of the obtained amplicons, we compared them with data in the GenBank database, proving that, in this case, the causative agent was indeed T. crassiceps. (4) Conclusions: The received data can be used to supplement descriptions of this species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of cysticercosis caused by T. crassiceps in a nonhuman primate in Poland.
Project description:Madagascar's ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are experiencing rapid population declines due to ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as increasing exploitation for bushmeat and the illegal pet trade. Despite being the focus of extensive and ongoing behavioral studies, there is comparatively little known about the genetic population structuring of the species. Here, we present the most comprehensive population genetic analysis of ring-tailed lemurs to date from across their likely remaining geographic range. We assessed levels of genetic diversity and population genetic structure using multilocus genotypes for 106 adult individuals from nine geographically representative localities. Population structure and F ST analyses revealed moderate genetic differentiation with localities being geographically partitioned into northern, southern, western and also potentially central clusters. Overall genetic diversity, in terms of allelic richness and observed heterozygosity, was high in the species (AR = 4.74, H O = 0.811). In fact, it is the highest among all published lemur estimates to date. While these results are encouraging, ring-tailed lemurs are currently affected by ongoing habitat fragmentation and occur at lower densities in poorer quality habitats. The effects of continued isolation and fragmentation, coupled with climate-driven environmental instability, will therefore likely impede the long-term viability of the species.