Banded leaf monkeys in Singapore preliminary data on taxonomy, feeding, ecology, reproduction and population size

Master'sMASTER OF SCIENC

Global online trade in primates for pets

The trade in primates as pets is a global enterprise and as access to the Internet has increased, so too has the trade of live primates online. While quantifying primate trade in physical markets is relatively straightforward, limited insights have been made into trade via the Internet. Here we followed a three-pronged approach to estimate the prevalence and ease of purchasing primates online in countries with different socioeconomic characteristics. We first conducted a literature review, in which we found that Malaysia, Thailand, the USA, Ukraine, South Africa, and Russia stood out in terms of the number of primate individuals being offered for sale as pets in the online trade. Then, we assessed the perceived ease of purchasing pet primates online in 77 countries, for which we found a positive relationship with the Internet Penetration Rate, total human population and Human Development Index, but not to Gross Domestic Product per capita or corruption levels of the countries. Using these results, we then predicted the levels of online primate trade in countries for which we did not have first-hand data. From this we created a global map of potential prevalence of primate trade online. Finally, we analysed price data of the two primate taxa most consistently offered for sale, marmosets and capuchins. We found that prices increased with the ease of purchasing primates online and the Gross Domestic Product per capita. This overview provides insight into the nature and intricacies of the online primate pet trade and advocates for increased trade regulation and monitoring in both primate range and non-range countries where trade has been substantially reported. © 2023 The Author

Genetic Variability, Diet Metabarcoding, and Conservation of Colobine Primates in Vietnam

This dissertation examines the genetic variability and diet of three colobine species across six sites in Vietnam: the endangered black-shanked douc (Pygathrix nigripes, BSD) in Ta Kou Nature Reserve, Cat Tien National Park, Nui Chua National Park, and Hon Heo Mountain; endangered Indochinese silvered langur (Trachypithecus germaini, ISL) in Kien Luong Karst Area (specifically Chua Hang, Khoe La, Lo Coc and Mo So hills); and critically endangered Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus, TSNM) in Khau Ca Area. A total of 395 fecal samples were collected (July 2012-October 2014) and genomic DNA was extracted. This research provides the first information on their mitochondrial hypervariable region I variability and also pioneers the characterization of their diet using DNA metabarcoding in association with next-generation sequencing. BSDs exhibit high variability but no gene flow between populations. Similarly, ISLs showed high variability but only the subpopulation in Khoe La, the site under mining disturbance, retains most of the remaining genetic diversity in the species. Zero mitochondrial variability was found in TSNMs, the lowest ever reported for primate species in the wild. Diet sequences of colobines were matched to plant databases for identifications. Forty plant families were recorded for BSDs, including new records from 18 families, 15 genera and 13 species. There was little overlap in their diet with only six taxa found across four populations. They were also selective by feeding on less abundant species. Twenty-five families were recorded for ISLs, including new records from nine families, 18 genera and 14 species. Moraceae dominated their diet as retrieved from fecal samples, and was also the top family as revealed by field observations, demonstrating the significance of this plant family in their diet. Eighteen families were identified for TSNMs, including new records from three families, five genera and three species. The dominant taxon belonged to Polyalthia (Annonaceae) and they were also the dominant genus and family respectively within Khau Ca Area. This research highlights the importance of using genetic methods to complement field observations so as to better understand population viability and dietary profiles in order to identify priority actions for the conservation of colobine primates

Additional file 1: of Fecal metagenomics for the simultaneous assessment of diet, parasites, and population genetics of an understudied primate

Supplementary methods, figures and tables. (DOCX 66 kb

Global online trade in primates for pets

The trade in primates as pets is a global enterprise and as access to the Internet has increased, so too has the trade of live primates online. While quantifying primate trade in physical markets is relatively straightforward, limited insights have been made into trade via the Internet. Here we followed a three-pronged approach to estimate the prevalence and ease of purchasing primates online in countries with different socioeconomic characteristics. We first conducted a literature review, in which we found that Malaysia, Thailand, the USA, Ukraine, South Africa, and Russia stood out in terms of the number of primate individuals being offered for sale as pets in the online trade. Then, we assessed the perceived ease of purchasing pet primates online in 77 countries, for which we found a positive relationship with the Internet Penetration Rate, total human population and Human Development Index, but not to Gross Domestic Product per capita or corruption levels of the countries. Using these results, we then predicted the levels of online primate trade in countries for which we did not have first-hand data. From this we created a global map of prevalence of primate trade online. Finally, we analysed price data of the two primate taxa most consistently offered for sale, marmosets and capuchins. We found that prices increased with the ease of purchasing primates online and the Gross Domestic Product per capita. This overview provides insight into the nature and intricacies of the online primate pet trade and advocates for increased trade regulation and monitoring in both primate range and non-range countries where trade has been substantially reported

Platform for the interdisciplinary study of cardiovascular, metabolic and neurovascular diseases (PICMAN) protocol

Abstract Through extensive multisystem phenotyping, the central aim of Project PICMAN is to correlate metabolic flexibility to measures of cardiometabolic health, including myocardial diastolic dysfunction, coronary and cerebral atherosclerosis, body fat distribution and severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This cohort will form the basis of larger interventional trials targeting metabolic inflexibility in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Participants aged 21–72 years with no prior manifest atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) are being recruited from a preventive cardiology clinic and an existing cohort of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in an academic medical centre. A total of 120 patients will be recruited in the pilot phase of this study and followed up for 5 years. Those with 10-year ASCVD risk ≥ 5% as per the QRISK3 calculator are eligible. Those with established diabetes mellitus are excluded. Participants recruited undergo a detailed assessment of health behaviours and physical measurements. Participants also undergo a series of multimodality clinical phenotyping comprising cardiac tests, vascular assessments, metabolic tests, liver and neurovascular testing. Blood samples are also being collected and banked for plasma biomarkers, ‘multi-omics analyses’ and for generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Extensive evidence points to metabolic dysregulation as an early precursor of cardiovascular disease, particularly in Asia. We hypothesise that quantifiable metabolic inflexibility may be representative of an individual in his/her silent, but high-risk progression towards insulin resistance, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The platform for interdisciplinary cardiovascular-metabolic-neurovascular diseases (PICMAN) is a pilot, prospective, multi-ethnic cohort study

Tropical field stations yield high conservation return on investment

Conservation funding is currently limited; cost-effective conservation solutions are essential. We suggest that the thousands of field stations worldwide can play key roles at the frontline of biodiversity conservation and have high intrinsic value. We assessed field stations’ conservation return on investment and explored the impact of COVID-19. We surveyed leaders of field stations across tropical regions that host primate research; 157 field stations in 56 countries responded. Respondents reported improved habitat quality and reduced hunting rates at over 80% of field stations and lower operational costs per km2 than protected areas, yet half of those surveyed have less funding now than in 2019. Spatial analyses support field station presence as reducing deforestation. These ‘earth observatories’ provide a high return on investment; we advocate for increased support of field station programs and for governments to support their vital conservation efforts by investing accordingly