Anthropology of Primates

Why is studying primates important in anthropology?

Studying primates can illuminate general principles about the evolution of behavior in humans and other animals.

What are homologies in the context of primates?

Homologies refer to the shared characteristics between primates and humans, providing insights into the traits of our recent common ancestors.

What role do analogies play in studying primates?

Analogies help us understand the evolution of social traits, as primates live in complex social organizations and face similar selective pressures as humans.

What is convergent evolution?

Convergent evolution is when different organisms independently evolve similar adaptations due to exposure to similar selective pressures.

What is the comparative method in primatology?

The comparative method allows researchers to examine the relationships between specific selective pressures and traits while controlling for phylogeny.

What is a typical activity of a primatologist?

A primatologist may engage in field research, observing and recording the behavior of primates in their natural habitat.

What is the significance of the 'Lomas Barbudal Monkey Project'?

The project provides insights into the social dynamics of capuchin monkeys and is documented through video clips and research.

What resource can students refer to for a day in the life of an infant monkey?

Students can visit howtobeamonkey.org to see how researchers record the daily activities of an infant monkey.

What is the focus of the book 'Manipulative Monkeys'?

The book discusses the social behaviors and dynamics of capuchin monkeys, particularly in the context of Abby's group.

How do primates adapt to selective pressures?

Primates adapt through complex social behaviors that help them navigate their environments and social structures.

What is the purpose of the short films related to the 'Lomas Barbudal Monkey Project'?

The films illustrate the social dynamics of capuchin monkeys and provide visual context for the behaviors described in the course readings.

What type of insights can be gained from studying complexly social creatures like primates?

Insights into the evolution of social traits and behaviors that may also apply to humans.

What is the significance of curiosity in studying primates?

Curiosity drives research and exploration into primate behavior, leading to greater understanding of their social structures.

What does the field research of capuchins typically involve?

Field research involves observing, recording, and analyzing the behaviors and interactions of capuchin monkeys in their natural habitat.

What can students expect from the course related to primatology?

Students will engage with various resources, including videos and readings, to understand primate behavior and social dynamics.

Science

The strength of science is in its properties as a social institution: ideas must be testable, replicable methods, and peer review.

Theory

A general model of how the world works.

Hypothesis

A statement about how two or more variables relate to one another, leading to specific predictions about data if supported or falsified.

Methods

The procedures used to collect data and test hypotheses, which can be either experimental or observational.

Data

Information that has been systematically collected in order to test a hypothesis or describe a phenomenon.

Analysis

Systematic processing of data in order to test a hypothesis or describe a phenomenon.

Inductive reasoning

The scientist notices patterns in the data, leading to the formulation of a hypothesis to test.

Deductive reasoning

Prior to collecting data, the scientist derives a hypothesis based on theory, which is then tested with data.

Observational research

The scientist systematically records the natural behavior of the organism without interfering.

Advantages of observational research

Ethical considerations are not a problem; animals operate in their natural context; richness of social context is preserved.

Disadvantages of observational research

Time-consuming; lack of experimental control.

Experimental research

The scientist manipulates the animal's environment to control key variables in an experimental procedure.

Advantages of experimental research

Isolates the particular context of interest; some variables can be controlled; ease of data analysis.

Disadvantages of experimental research

Can distress animals; experimenter may alter behavior in unintended ways; conditions may be unnatural.

History of primatology

Started in Japan with studies of Japanese macaques; initiated by Louis Leakey with studies of chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans.

Field research techniques

Mapping, census, habituation, capture techniques (e.g., darting, trapping), biomedical measurements.

Marking techniques

Tattoos, ear tags, collars, radio-collars, anklets, ear notches, hair dye.

Ethogram

An inventory of behaviors performed by the species and/or relevant to your hypotheses.

Behavioral records

Records of activities, social interactions, and associations.

Behavioral sampling methods

Scan sampling, instantaneous sampling, focal animal sampling, ad lib sampling.

Dimensions of behavioral sampling methods

Focus on one individual at a time or collect information about everyone; continuous recording or collecting snapshots.

Scan sampling

Record behavior of all individuals in group at particular point in time

Advantages of scan sampling

Good way to assess synchrony of activity; Efficient way to obtain information about multiple individuals

Disadvantages of scan sampling

No information about sequence of activity; There are biases in observability of peripheral animals if group spread is high; Brief or uncommon behaviors generally missed

Instantaneous sampling (point sampling)

Focus on behavior of single individual, and record behavior at predetermined intervals

Advantages of instantaneous sampling

Systematic record of activity of individual; Provides information about frequency of activities, interactions; Relatively easy to collect

Disadvantages of instantaneous sampling

Can't compute duration of activities; Often miss behaviors of short duration; Sequence information is incomplete

Focal animal sampling

Continuous record of activity of single individual over fixed period of time

Advantages of focal animal sampling

Complete record of activity of individual; Preserves information about initiation, termination of behavior; Provides sequence information; Provides duration information; Provides information about brief behaviors

Disadvantages of focal animal sampling

Time consuming; Can keep track of only one individual at a time; Rare events are not well represented in focal dataset because only one individual monitored at a time and usually not all individuals are focal subjects

Ad lib sampling

Record any occurrence of particular kind of behavior

Advantages of ad lib sampling

Valuable for behaviors that are brief and/or uncommon

Disadvantages of ad lib sampling

Subject to bias; More likely to record conspicuous events; More likely to record events that occur in the center of the group; More likely to record events that involve individuals that are easy to recognize; Likely to miss initiation of interactions

Technology for recording behavior

Check sheets; Microcassette recorders (narration); Palmtops (e.g. Psion) using codes; Audio recording (e.g. SONY pro walkman, Sennheiser mike); Video tapes

Interobserver reliability

If multiple observers are working on the same project, they must collect data in exactly the same way

Training for interobserver reliability

Codes, ids, syntax, vocalization recognition; Team data collection (spotting & typing; shadowing); Statistical analysis to detect sloppy data collection

Observational methods complemented by naturalistic experiments

Field playback experiments

Field playback experiments

Tape record vocalizations; Play back tape-recorded vocalization to animals; Record responses

Examples of questions addressed with playbacks

Do monkeys recognize own infants screams?; Do monkeys know rank relationships of others?; Can animals count?

Observational methods supplemented by physiological data

Proximate substrate of behavior

Proximate substrate of behavior

Stress (cortisol); Aggressiveness (testosterone); Nutritional stress (ketones); Attachment (prolactin); Female endocrine profiles

Genetic relationships

Maternal kin relationships; Paternity; Paternal kin relationships

Noninvasive methods

Collect feces or urine; Extract DNA; Extract MtDNA; Extract testosterone, cortisol, prolactin, etc; Extract ketones

Data analysis, statistics

A variable is anything that varies (e.g. height, dominance rank, offspring produced per year....); Independent variable determines the outcome of the dependent variable (e.g. smoking & lung cancer example)

Statistical tests

Tell us if some observed relationship between 2 or more variables is too strong to be dismissed as a product of chance.

Practice scenarios for choosing a behavioral sampling technique

How much does your roommate sleep in a 24-hour period?; Is there sex-biased sorting regarding who eats dinner together in the dorm cafeteria?; Where does your dog stand in the neighborhood dog dominance hierarchy?; Are men or women more likely to talk on the cell phone while driving?; Is your dog, or the neighbor's dog, more likely to initiate play bouts?; What is the rate of infanticide?; Which monkeys are the most efficient foragers?; Which foods require the most handling time?; What proportion of time is spent foraging on each type of plant food?; Do monkeys have a ***-for-tat grooming strategy? (i.e. strict turn-taking); Which individuals are most likely to lead group movement?