Search

Levels of exploratory ability were studied in four species of lower monkeys: green monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops), cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), and hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas). Assessments were made on the basis of indicators such as the level of exploratory activity, the dynamics of exploratory activity, and the diversity of exploratory activities. The results obtained here indicate that these parameters had higher levels in cynomolgus monkeys and hamadryas baboons than rhesus macaques and green monkeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative study of the ability to form a skill, the dynamics of its formation, and repeatability in sexually mature male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) was carried out. It was found that male hamadryas baboons of the study group demonstrate higher learning ability, training level, and repeatability of the formed skill compared to the studied male rhesus monkeys. At the same time, animals of both species demonstrated similar dynamics of skill formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology has developed a live intranasal pertussis vaccine, GamLVP, for protection against whooping cough. It is indicated for vaccination of infants and revaccination of adults of all age groups. Preclinical studies on suckling mice or rats and adult monkeys as well as clinical trials involving adult volunteers demonstrated safety and efficacy of the GamLVP vaccine. The expansion of the GamLVP vaccine to be used for vaccination of infants requires additional preclinical studies to assess its safety and immunogenicity in the most suitable experimental model of infant hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas).The aim of the study was to assess safety and immunogenicity of the GamLVP vaccine administered intranasally for a single dose, two-dose, and three-dose immunization of P. hamadryas infants.Materials and methods. The study was performed in three 1–2-month-old P. hamadryas infants kept, together with their mothers, in a separate cage. The results of the complete blood count and biochemical profile tests were measured before and after the immunization and experimental infection. The enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was used to detect any changes in the levels of specific IgG antibodies in sera from the mothers and infants; the agglutination test (AT) was used to measure titers of total anti-pertussis antibodies.Results. The intranasal immunization of P. hamadryas infants with the GamLVP vaccine triggered development of a specific humoral immune response mediated by IgG antibodies (pertussis toxin + filamentous hemagglutinin), increased titers of total agglutinating anti-pertussis antibodies, caused no local and systemic reactions, caused no changes in the complete blood count and biochemical profile. The experimental infection of the GamLVPimmunized P. hamadryas infants did not cause any changes in the laboratory blood test values and any clinical manifestations typical of the pertussis infection.

We studied exploratory activity and learning ability in sexually mature male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas). The interspecies differences were analyzed by the following parameters: the level of exploratory activity, diversity of exploratory activity, concentration on the object, learning ability, training levels, and dynamics of learning. The studied group of hamadryas baboons showed higher levels of exploratory activity and learning ability than the group of rhesus monkeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here a comparative study of learning ability in two lower monkey species, rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas), as a hypothetical model for the development of cognitive capacities in primates in evolutionary events such as the transition from an arboreal lifestyle to a terrestrial lifestyle. The mean learning level in male rhesus macaques was 68.5 ± 5.8%, compared with 78.0 ± 3.1% in male hamadryas baboons. The median of the distribution of the level of training, characterizing the maximum number of continuous correct decisions, was 17.0% (interquartile range, IQR = 11.0) in rhesus macaques, compared with 40.0% (IQR = 15.5) in hamadryas baboons. The study groups of monkeys showed certain differences in the dynamics of skill formation. The results provide an illustration of the advantages of terrestrialism as a factor promoting evolution towards rationality and provide the best agreement with the "ecological" hypothesis of the development of cognitive capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the risk to public health from Flaviviruses in the southwest region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we screened as sentinels, 50 commensal hamadryas baboons located at a peri-domestic site on the outskirts of Ta'if City in February 2013. Of the baboons, 12% [95% CI 5, 24], 0% [95% CI 0, 7] and 10% [95% CI 3, 22] were seropositive in a pan-Flavivirus ELISA (anti-pan-WNV 1–2, Usutu, Zika), Dengue virus 1–4 ELISA (anti-DENV 1–4) and WNV-1 PRNT, respectively, indicating Flavirus exposures of the subjects with possible risk to public health in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here studies of the ability to learn skills of three levels of difficulty in 69 hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas). Skills were formed using the following stimuli: position and color (skill 1), only position (skill 2), and only color (skill 3). Results were assessed in terms of the following criteria: learning ability, trainability, exploratory activity, and learning dynamics. High levels of exploratory activity were seen in the three skills. High levels of learning ability and trainability were seen for both the first skill and the second. Study animals were found for the most part to be unable to learn the third skill. The results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of the dynamics of cognitive processes in experiments on primates can be useful for establishing the biological roots of mental processes occurring in adolescents. Experiments were performed using 12 male hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) aged from 45 to 67 months. Levels of cognitive capacities were determined in males using the following tests: tests for the ability to establish the position of a reward in space, which can be defined as "spatial" tests; tests for learning ability; a test for exploratory activity. Results obtained from comparison of cognitive capacities in immature and young mature male hamadryas baboons showed that some of the cognitive capacities were age-dependent and that there was no synchronicity in the development of cognitive capacities. In particular, mature males were significantly more successful in solving "spatial" tests than males under the age of puberty. There were no differences in solutions to tests for exploratory activity and the ability to learn skills between immature and young mature males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anaesthetic effects on young hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) of xylazine-ketamine (XK) compared to diazepam-ketamine (DK). Six healthy young male hamadryas baboons were first premedicated with xylazine HCl (0.5 mg/kg, IM) and anaesthetised 20 min later with ketamine (10 mg/kg, IM). After a 10-day washout period, the hamadryas baboons were premedicated with diazepam (1 mg/kg, IM) and anaesthetised 20 min later with ketamine (10 mg/kg, IM). The onset, duration, and the depth of anaesthesia were determined by recording palpebral, corneal, and jaw reflexes. The results showed a significant decrease in heart rate and rectal temperature after XK injection, while a significant reduction in respiratory rate was seen when using the DK protocol. A highly significant increase in the levels of glucose was observed with the XK regimen. Blood pressure decreased when using both anaesthetic regimens, but this reduction did not reach significant levels. The quality of recovery was better when using XK compared to DK. In conclusion, major complications including bradycardia, hypothermia, and hyperglycaemia should be considered with a combination of XK. However, no complications other than bradypnea and hypercapnia should be expected when immobilising young hamadryas baboons with DK. No significant difference was observed in CBC, electrolytes, or lactate level between the anaesthesia protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In environments where energy demands and resource availability vary seasonally, individuals are expected to time the optimal allocation of resources to support survival and reproduction. Although female baboons are regarded as all year round, capital breeders, we wondered how they would respond in an ecological scenario where food were not limiting, foraging effort were negligible, and they were thermally stressed during the cold winter. This study analyzes a 30-year database of conceptions, births, resumptions of postlactational ovarian activity, menarches, and prenatal and early postnatal reproductive failures recorded in a food-provisioned colony of hamadryas baboons located in a temperate zone (40°25′N) to search for seasonal patterns in their life-history patterns and explore its fitness consequences. The results show that the study females exhibited moderate seasonality and behaved like capital breeders; ovarian activity peaked during the period of benign weather conditions (spring and early summer) and births and lactation peaked during the period when they were thermally stressed and faced a negative energy balance (winter). Mistimed conceptions were more likely to fail than timed conceptions were, although this association could be artefactual due to the difficulty to accurately detect prenatal losses. Insolation and, to a lesser extent, temperature were positively associated with conceptions, resumptions of postlactational ovarian activity and onsets of menarche, and negatively associated with births. These findings highlight the extent of plasticity (width of peaks) and resiliency (retention of a capital breeding tactic even under highly seasonally thermally stressful cold conditions) in how primates can adjust their life history patterns and solve tradeoffs in a scenario of strong seasonal variation. Am. J. Primatol. 78:1149-1164, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the correlation between the rank and age of baboons (n=12) with their cognitive abilities. A positive correlation was found between performances of different tests by male. The ability to solve the tests related to bait placement depended on the age of the males and age-related hierarchical status. Four-year-old males performed these tests in 52% of cases, whereas five-year-old males, who reached a higher hierarchical status by this age solved with them in 93% of cases. In the tests for exploratory activity and the ability to learn skills, the differences between the four-year-olds and the five-year-old males are not received. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of hamadryas baboons ( Papio hamadryas) to inhibit a fixed conditioned reflex was studied. Experiments were performed using immature animals of two ages: 18 months (six males and five females) and three years (seven males and seven females), these two age groups belonging to different categories of adolescents. Abilities were assessed using a modified Piaget A-not-B error test. Only four monkeys were able to solve the test. This ability appeared in females, to similar extents in the two age groups. The results also demonstrated a significant spread in activity on solution of the task by animals of different gender and age. Animals demonstrating the ability to inhibit the fixed conditioned reflex are interpreted as demonstrating conscious selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outcomes of postconflict interactions between victims of aggression and third members of the group not involved in the conflict were studied in hamadryas baboons ( Papio hamadryas) in a reserve. Studies were performed at the Adler Primatology Center of the Research Institute of Medical Primatology in 1996-7. We present here results obtained from analysis of redirected aggression, affiliative behavior of victims with third individuals, and consolation - the joining of third parties with the victim. A total of 445 pairs were studied, these consisting of different social categories of animals (pairs: male and female from the same harem, females from the same harem, relatives, females from different harems, males, female and almost adult male). The attracted pairs method and the time-rule method were used. Redirection of aggression was found mostly to be practiced only by males acting as victims of aggression. Both male victims and female victims typically initiated affiliative interactions with third individuals immediately after conflicts. Consolation was practiced by hamadryas baboons, but only in pairs of males and females from the same harem. Consoling males used specific forms of affiliative behavior. This is the first description of affiliation in baboons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A community of hamadryas baboons ( Papio hamadryas) consists of a unique organization with four structural levels and marked hierarchical relationships between males and females. This makes it an ideal system for testing the hypothesis that relationship quality influences reconciliation between individuals. Post-conflict reconciliation was studied in hamadryas baboons. The behavior of 436 conflicting pairs was studied. Reconciliation was found to be characteristic of pairs of different composition, including: 1) pairs consisting of a male and a female from his harem; 2) pairs consisting of two females from the same harem; 3) pairs consisting of two related animals; 4) pairs consisting of two males; 5) pairs including a female and a young (almost adult) male. Significant differences in reconciliatory tendencies were seen in different pair categories, along with a high level of selectivity of the interactions between former antagonists, evidencing that the probability of reconciliation between hamadryas baboon individuals depends on the quality of the relationships between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilevel or modular societies characterize a range of mammalian taxa, allowing social groups to fission and fuse in response to ecological factors. The modular society of hamadryas baboons has previously been shown to consist of 4 levels: troop, band, clan, and one-male unit (OMU). A recent study by Hill et al. (Biology Letters 4:748-751, ) revealed a mean scaling ratio across successive levels of multilevel societies of ca. 3; this was consistent across elephants, orca, geladas, and hamadryas baboons. Here we reanalyze the scaling ratio for hamadryas baboons with previously unavailable data from Filoha. Our analysis revealed a mean scaling ratio for hamadryas of 3.28 without data on the hamadryas clan layer of organization at Filoha, but a ratio of 6.17 with these data included. This discrepancy is due to the large clan and band sizes at Filoha yielding a larger than average gap between the OMU and the clan. Further analysis revealed subsets of OMUs within clans, suggesting a 5th level of society in this population. When this 5th layer of social structure is included in the analysis, the scaling ratio at Filoha is consistent with that of other hamadryas populations and other taxa. These results suggest that a consistent mammalian scaling ratio can be used to detect previously hidden levels of organization within societies and to predict their sizes in taxa for which detailed behavioral data are not available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results from three years of observations of a corralled group of hamadryas baboons at the Adler Primatology Center (Tuapse reservation) are presented. Studies of the social function of grooming in baboons showed that grooming is not only an important means of maintaining the integrity and unity of the group, but also played an important role in forming and maintaining a unique four-level organization in these animals. In particular, grooming frequency in pairs of individuals consisting of a 'bachelor' and a female belonging to the harem of another male determined the prospects of forming new one-male units. Grooming between adult males, along with other types of amiable behavior, supported the necessary level of mutual tolerance of males and contributed to the formation of new clans and bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hamadryas baboons possess salivary proline-rich proteins (PRP), as indicated by the presence of pinkstaining protein bands using 1D SDS gel electrophoresis and Coomassie R250 staining. The ability of these protein bands to interact with tannic acid was further examined. In a tannin-binding assay using 5 μg tannic acid mixed with hamadryas whole saliva, we recently found four distinct protein bands of apparently 72, 55, 20, and 15 kDa that were precipitated during the experiments. In this work, we were able to identify these protein bands in a follow-up analysis using MS/MS mass spectrometry after excising such bands out of air-dried gels. Albumin and α-amylase were present in the tannic acid-protein complexes, with albumin already known to nonspecifically interact with a great diversity of chemical compounds. More interesting, we also identified a basic PRP and a cystatin precursor protein. This was the first successful attempt to identify a PRP from precipitated tannin-protein complexes in hamadryas baboons using MS/MS mass spectrometry. On the other hand, the role of cystatins in tannin binding is not yet well understood. However, there are recent reports on cystatin expression in saliva of rats responding to astringent dietary compounds. In conclusion, the follow-up data on tannin-binding proteins present in salivary secretions from hamadryas baboons adds important knowledge to primate physiology and feeding ecology, in order to shed light on the establishment and development of food adaptations in primates. It also demonstrates that tannin binding is characteristic for PRP, but might not be restricted to this particular group of proteins in primate species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hamadryas baboons are known for their complex, multi-level social structure consisting of troops, bands, and one-male units (OMUs) [Kummer, 1968. Social organization of hamadryas baboons. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. 189p]. Abegglen [1984. On socialization in hamadryas baboons: a field study. Lewisburg, PA: Bucknell University Press. 207p.] observed a fourth level of social structure comprising several OMUs that rested near one another on sleeping cliffs, traveled most closely together during daily foraging, and sometimes traveled as subgroups independently from the rest of the band. Abegglen called these associations “clans” and suggested that they consisted of related males. Here we confirm the existence of clans in a second wild hamadryas population, a band of about 200 baboons at the Filoha site in lowland Ethiopia. During all-day follows from December 1997 through September 1998 and March 2005 through February 2006, data were collected on activity patterns, social interactions, nearest neighbors, band fissions, and takeovers. Association indices were computed for each dyad of leader males, and results of cluster analyses indicated that in each of the two observation periods this band comprised two large clans ranging in size from 7 to 13 OMUs. All band fissions occurred along clan lines, and most takeovers involved the transfer of females within the same clan. Our results support the notion that clans provide an additional level of flexibility to deal with the sparse distribution of resources in hamadryas habitats. The large clan sizes at Filoha may simply be the largest size that the band can split into and still obtain enough food during periods of food scarcity. Our results also suggest that both male and female relationships play a role in the social cohesion of clans and that males exchange females within clans but not between them. Am. J. Primatol. 71:948–955, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Female hormonal contraception is considered here as an alternative to vasectomy for population control in social groups of captive hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas). While female hormonal contraceptive methods have been successful, behavioural effects of such agents represent a potential welfare concern. This study examined the effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA; 3.5mg/kg) on perineal tumescence and behaviour in three social groups (total of 3 males, 22 females) of captive hamadryas baboons. The agent had little effect on social interactions such as grooming relationships, aggression and affiliation (all P >0.05), but did cause a reduction in sexual behaviour (P <0.001). Females-mounting-females and females receiving mounting was decreased during MPA treatment compared with the minimal tumescence phase (P <0.001). Age strongly influenced the contraceptive''s duration: there was a significant correlation between age and latency of return to oestrus post-MPA (r =0.832, P <0.001) with the latency increasing by 2.61 days per year of age on average. Age also influenced the frequency of behaviours such as affiliation and aggression (P <0.001 and P =0.044, respectively). The absence of adverse behavioural effects further supports the use of MPA in the hamadryas baboon, and its potential use in other non-human primates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hamadryas baboons sleep on cliffs throughout their range, and this can be attributed to the safety cliffs provide against predators in the absence of tall trees. In this paper, we report the first documented occurrence of hamadryas baboons sleeping in doum palm trees rather than on cliffs. Data derive from a study of hamadryas baboons at the Filoha site in lowland Ethiopia. During all-day follows, data were collected on travel patterns, band activity, and location. Variation in the baboons' home range was characterized using vegetation transects. We discovered that one band in this population, Band 3, occasionally slept in doum palm trees (Hyphaene thebaica). The palm tree sleeping site differed from other palm fragments in the baboons' home range in that it contained a higher density of palm trees. Possible factors influencing this unique use of palm trees as a sleeping site include access to palm fruit, avoiding contact with Afar nomads, avoiding sharing sleeping cliffs with other bands, protection from predators, and the lack of cliffs in a section of the baboons' home range. Evidence from this study suggests that the palm tree sleeping site is used because it affords better protection from predators than other palm fragments in an area of the band's home range that does not contain cliffs. Am. J. Primatol. 70:107–113, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to characterise the amount of variation on the mammalian Y chromosome in order to assess its potential for use in evolutionary studies. We report very low levels of polymorphism on the Y chromosome of Saudi-Arabian hamadryas baboons, Papio hamadryas hamadryas. We found no segregating sites on the Y, despite sequence analysis of 3 kb noncontiguous intron sequence in 16 males with divergent autosomal microsatellite genotypes, and a further analysis of 1.1 kb intron sequence in 97 males from four populations by SSCP. In addition, we tested seven human-derived Y-linked microsatellites in baboons. Only four of these loci were male-specific and only one was polymorphic in our 97 male sample set. Polymorphism on the Y chromosome of Arabian hamadryas appears to be low compared to other primate species for which data are available (eg humans, chimpanzees and bonobos). Low effective population size (Ne) of paternal genes due to polygyny and female-biased adult sex ratio is a potential reason for low Y chromosome variation in this species. However, low Ne for the Y should be counterbalanced to some extent by the species' atypical pattern of male philopatry and female-biased dispersal. Allelic richness averaged over seven loci was not significantly different between an African and an Arabian population, suggesting that loss of variation during the colonisation of Arabia does not explain low Y variation. Finally, in the absence of nucleotide polymorphism, it is unclear to what extent selection could be responsible for low Y variation in this species.Heredity (2006) 96, 298–303. doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6800803; published online 1 March 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many animals will work for food even if food is freely available or the animal is satiated, suggesting that foraging behaviour is inherently rewarding and that there is a behavioural need to forage. We investigated whether members of a hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas hamadryas) troop at the Johannesburg Zoo, South Africa would forage in non-provisioned areas of their enclosure when excluded from a high quality, clumped, monopolisable food source by another member of the troop. We studied foraging behaviour during two baseline treatments when enclosures were not altered, and during four experimental treatments in which we introduced either an empty small box (SBE), a small box containing food (SBF), an empty big box (BBE), or a big box containing food (BBF). We also recorded aggressive interactions during all treatments. During the SBF treatment, individuals excluded from the device by the dominant male increased foraging elsewhere, without any concomitant increase in aggressive behaviour compared with baseline values. In contrast, foraging rates at the device increased during the BBF treatment, as did incidences of aggression. We suggest that the redirected foraging behaviour provided by the SBF treatment could be exploited as a form of environmental enrichment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Previous researchers of hamadryas baboons have described a star-shaped sociogram, whereby the strongest social bonds within hamadryas one-male units are between a leader male and his females and bonds among females are weak by comparison. This type of social organization is also known as cross-bonding to distinguish it from the female-bonding found in most papionin monkeys. Models of female primate socioecology suggest that hamadryas baboons lack female bonding due to their reliance on scarce, widely-dispersed food resources. Here, I report observational data from a wild population of hamadryas baboons in Ethiopia indicating that, while females varied widely in their frequency of social interaction with other females, most females spent about as much social time with other females as they did with the leader male and some females even crossed unit boundaries to interact with one another. The size of a unit was positively correlated with the tendency of its females to interact with other females and was negatively correlated with the tendency of its females to interact with the leader male. Females were equally likely to spend social time with other females whether or not the leader male was available for social interaction at the time. Overall, this study suggests that a star-shaped sociogram does not characterize all hamadryas baboons and that female hamadryas may be, to some extent, female-bonded as well as cross-bonded. The lack of more pronounced female bonding in hamadryas is probably due to the behavior of males rather than to ecological factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]