Of apples and oranges? The evolution of “monogamy” in non-human primates

Behavioral ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and anthropologists have been long fascinated by the existence of “monogamy” in the animal kingdom. Multiple studies have explored the factors underlying its evolution and maintenance, sometimes with contradicting and contentious conclusions. These studies have been plagued by a persistent use of fuzzy terminology that often leads to researchers comparing “apples with oranges” (e.g., comparing a grouping pattern or social organization with a sexual or genetic mating system). In this review, we provide an overview of research on “monogamy” in mammals generally and primates in particular, and we discuss a number of problems that complicate comparative attempts to understand this issue. We first highlight why the muddled terminology has hindered our understanding of both a rare social organization and a rare mating system. Then, following a short overview of the main hypotheses explaining the evolution of pair-living and sexualmonogamy, we critically discuss various claims about the principal drivers of “monogamy” that have been made in several recent comparative studies.We stress the importance of using only high quality and comparable data. We then propose that a productive way to frame and dissect the different components of pair-living and sexual or genetic monogamy is by considering the behavioral and evolutionary implications of those components from the perspectives of all participants in a species’ social system. In particular, we highlight the importance of integrating the perspective of “floater” individuals and considering their impacts on local operational sex ratios, competition, and variance in reproductive success across a population. We stress that pair-living need not imply a reduced importance of intrasexual mate competition, a situation that may have implications for the sexual selection potential that have not yet been fully explored. Finally, we note that there is no reason to assume that different taxa and lineages, even within the same radiation, should follow the same pathway to or share a unifying evolutionary explanation for “monogamy”. The study of the evolution of pair-living, sexual monogamy, and genetic monogamy remains a challenging and exciting area of research.Fieldwork related to the data discussed and presented here was supported through grants awarded to AD, EF-D, and their students by the Wenner-Gren Foundation, the L.S.B. Leakey Foundation, the J. William Fulbright Scholar Program, Primate conservation, Inc., Idea Wild, the National Geographic Society, as well by the New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York University, the Zoological Society of San Diego, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Texas at Austin, and Yale University, as well as through grants awarded to Eckhard W. Heyman and MH by the Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft (HE 1870/10-1,2,3, HU1746-2/1). The Owl Monkey Project of Argentina was supported through the following grants to EFD: NSF-BCS-0621020, 1232349, 1503753 and 1848954; NSF-REU 0837921, 0924352 and 1026991; NSFRAPID-1219368; NIA- P30 AG012836-19, and NICHD R24 HD-044964-11

Nutritional status and socioeconomic change among Toba and Wichí populations of the Argentinean Chaco

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is growing at an accelerated pace in disadvantaged populations. Indigenous populations all over the world, whose lifestyle is changing rapidly and drastically, seem to be particularly prone to show an increased prevalence of overweight and its co-morbidities among adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between socioeconomic and nutritional statuses in adults of two indigenous populations of the Argentine Gran Chaco: the Toba and Wichí of the province of Formosa. Originally hunter-gatherers, they are now more settled and engage in temporary wage labor and local political positions. A total of 541 adults (>20 years old) participated in the study. Almost 50% of the adult Toba and 34% of the adult Wichí were overweight and 10% of adults in both populations were obese. Socioeconomic status was positively associated with body mass index in both populations. Furthermore, political connectedness with the non-indigenous sector, as in the case of community leaders, was highly correlated with obesity. Differences within and between groups can be explained by biocultural factors that include gender, diet (foraged vs store-bought), lifestyle (sedentary vs more active), and history of political power. Our study highlights the interactions among social, cultural, and political economic variables, such as political hierarchies within the group or degree of social connectedness with community leaders. By making these variables an integral part of our analysis and interpretation, we hope to improve our understanding of the situation of indigenous populations in transition. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fil: Valeggia, Claudia Rita. University of Pennsylvania; Estados UnidosFil: Burke, Kevin M.. University of Pennsylvania; Estados UnidosFil: Fernandez Duque, Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; Argentina. University of Pennsylvania; Estados Unido

Tamaño y orientación de cuevas de tatú carreta (Priodontes maximus) en el oeste de la provincia de Formosa, Argentina

Giant armadillos (Priodontes maximus) are one of the most endangered mammals in the Gran Chaco. They are largely nocturnal, highly fossorial and solitary, characteristics that have limited the understanding of their behavior and ecology. We report on the results of a study of the structure of 32 giant armadillo burrows in 25,000 ha of semi-arid forest owned by Toba aborigines of Formosa, Argentina. Burrow entrances were on average 43 cm wide and 36 cm high and more likely to be facing west (24) than east (8).Los tatú carreta (Priodontes maximus) son uno de los mamíferos en mayor peligro de extinción del Gran Chaco. Son animales principalmente nocturnos, fosoriales y solitarios, características que han limitado el conocimiento sobre su comportamiento y ecología. Presentamos en este trabajo los resultados de un estudio para caracterizar la estructura de 32 cuevas de tatú carreta en 25,000 ha de bosques semi-áridos propiedad de comunidades Toba de Formosa, Argentina. Las entradas de las cuevas eran, en promedio, de 43 cm de ancho y 36 cm de alto, y estaban más frecuentemente orientadas hacia el oeste (24) que hacia el este (8).Fil: Ceresoli, Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Duque, Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; Argentina. University of Pennsylvania; Estados Unido

Preliminary study on the ecology, behaviour and demography of the Bare-faced Curassow (Crax fasciolata) in the gallery forest of the Pilagá River, Formosa, Argentina

En Argentina se encuentran seis especies de crácidos, de las cuales el Muitú (Crax fasciolata) es la más amenazada y la de distribución más restringida en el país. Debido a que sus principales poblaciones parecen existir a lo largo de los riachos del este formoseño, se trabajó en la selva en galería del riacho Pilagá en la Estancia Guaycolec para (1) realizar la primera evaluación sistemática y cuantitativa en Argentina de una población de Muitú, y (2) evaluar la eficacia relativa de muestreos por tierra y agua, cámaras trampa y emisión de vocalizaciones grabadas (“playback”) como técnicas para el relevamiento poblacional de la especie. Durante 20 días se realizaron 22 muestreos en transectas terrestres y 8 en transectas sobre el curso de agua que resultaron en la detección de Muitú en 22 ocasiones (39 individuos). Las 10 cámaras trampa generaron 227 fotos de Muitú entre octubre de 2010 y julio de 2012 (4007 días-cámara). Tres de las 10 pruebas de emisión de vocalizaciones resultaron en contacto con un individuo. Los individuos fueron registrados solos o en grupos pequeños de 2–5 individuos, exclusivamente durante el día, más frecuentemente con temperaturas bajas e intermedias y principalmente en sitios cercanos al riacho. Dada la ausencia de reservas nacionales y provinciales que protejan las selvas en galería del este formoseño, resulta imperativo implementar estrategias de conservación de la especie que incorporen a las estancias privadas características de la zona.In Argentina there are six species of cracids, the Bare-faced Curassow (Crax fasciolata) being the most endangered and geographically restricted. Given that the main populations of the Barefaced Curassow apparently exist along the rivers of eastern Formosa, the study was conducted in the gallery forests of the Pilagá River in the Guaycolec Ranch to (1) produce the first systematic and quantitative study of a Bare-faced Curassow population in the country, and (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of population assessments conducted through land, water, camera traps, and playbacks as techniques for assessing the population status of the species. During 20 days, 22 assessments were conducted on land and 8 by water, which resulted in the detection of Barefaced Curassow on 22 separate occasions (39 individuals). The camera traps produced 227 pictures of Bare-faced Curassow between October 2010 and July 2012 (4007 camera-days). Contact was made with an individual following 3 of the 10 playback sessions. The Bare-faced Curassow was always sighted as single individuals or in small groups of 2–5 individuals, exclusively during the day, more frequently with low and mild temperatures and in close proximity to the river. Due to the lack of national and provincial areas that can protect the gallery forests of eastern Formosa, it is imperative to develop conservation strategies for the species that consider the private ranches characteristic of the regionFil: Fernández Duque, Facundo. Universidad Nacional de Formosa; ArgentinaFil: Huck, Maren. University of Derby; Reino UnidoFil: Dávalos, Víctor. University of Pennsylvania; Estados Unidos. Universidad Nacional de Formosa; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Duque, Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Invest.cientif.y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnol.conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecologia Aplicada del Litoral (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Formosa; Argentina. University of Pennsylvania; Estados Unido

A secure additive protocol for card players

Consider three players Alice, Bob and Cath who hold a, b and c cards, respectively, from a deck of d=a+b+c cards. The cards are all different and players only know their own cards. Suppose Alice and Bob wish to communicate their cards to each other without Cath learning whether Alice or Bob holds a specific card. Considering the cards as consecutive natural numbers 0,1,..., we investigate general conditions for when Alice or Bob can safely announce the sum of the cards they hold modulo an appropriately chosen integer. We demonstrate that this holds whenever a,b>2 and c=1. Because Cath holds a single card, this also implies that Alice and Bob will learn the card deal from the other player's announcement

Sexual dimorphism in the loud calls of Azara’s owl monkeys (Aotus azarae): evidence of sexual selection?

Primates use different types of vocalizations in a variety of contexts. Some of the most studied types have been the long distance or loud calls. These vocalizations have been associated with mate defense, mate attraction, and resource defense, and it is plausible that sexual selection has played an important role in their evolution. Focusing on identified individuals of known sex and age, we evaluated the sexual dimorphism in a type of loud calls (hoots) in a population of wild owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) in Argentina. We found evidence of sexual dimorphism in call structure, with females and males only emitting one type of call, each differing in dominant frequency and Shannon entropy. In addition, both age-related and sex-specific differences in call usage were also apparent in response to the removal of one group member. Future acoustic data will allow us to assess if there are individual characteristics and if the structure of hoot calls presents differences in relation to the social condition of owl monkeys or specific sex responses to variants of hoot calls’ traits. This will provide deeper insights into the evolution of vocal mechanisms regulating pair bonding and mate choice strategies in this and other primate species.Leakey Foundation, Wenner-Gren Foundation, National Geographic Society, NSF, National Institute on Aging, University of Pennsylvania Research Foundation, Zoological Society of San Dieg

Validation d'un modèle de substituts cutanés pathologiques pour des études dermopharmacologiques

Il est présentement difficile de tester les médicaments anti-psoriasiques sur de nombreux échantillons de peaux pathologiques en raison de problèmes éthiques, de disponibilité et de variations interindividuelles. Ainsi, les formulations de médicaments proposées à la population atteinte de psoriasis ne sont pas bien adaptées à leur situation réelle. La pénétration cutanée de drogues est une méthode qui offre un grand potentiel et qui plus est particulièrement attrayante comparativement aux méthodes conventionnelles d'injection ou d'administration orale. Le principal objectif de notre étude est de présenter un nouveau modèle de substituts cutanés pathologiques faits à partir de cellules de patients psoriasiques et selon la méthode d'auto-assemblage, afin de tester la pénétration de différentes molécules et de vérifier si le substitut est similaire au tissu pathologique in vivo. En comparaison à la peau normale humaine et à la peau de souris, une fonction barrière efficiente a été observée pour les substituts de peau faits à partir de cellules de patients sains lorsque les molécules suivantes ont été appliquées: l'acide benzoïque, la caféine et l'hydrocortisone. Il est connu dans la littérature que les peaux de patients psoriasiques sont plus perméables. Cette même caractéristique a été observée pour les substituts cutanés préparés à partir de cellules de patients psoriasiques. Ces tests de pénétration cutanée sont un premier pas vers la validation d'un modèle de substituts cutanés pathologiques, précisément psoriasiques, en vue de pouvoir le considérer en tant qu'outil efficace pour des études dermopharmacologiques d'agents anti-psoriasiques

Till death (or an intruder) do us part: intrasexual-competition in a monogamous Primate

Polygynous animals are often highly dimorphic, and show large sex-differences in the degree of intra-sexual competition and aggression, which is associated with biased operational sex ratios (OSR). For socially monogamous, sexually monomorphic species, this relationship is less clear. Among mammals, pair-living has sometimes been assumed to imply equal OSR and low frequency, low intensity intra-sexual competition; even when high rates of intra-sexual competition and selection, in both sexes, have been theoretically predicted and described for various taxa. Owl monkeys are one of a few socially monogamous primates. Using long-term demographic and morphological data from 18 groups, we show that male and female owl monkeys experience intense intra-sexual competition and aggression from solitary floaters. Pair-mates are regularly replaced by intruding floaters (27 female and 23 male replacements in 149 group-years), with negative effects on the reproductive success of both partners. Individuals with only one partner during their life produced 25% more offspring per decade of tenure than those with two or more partners. The termination of the pair-bond is initiated by the floater, and sometimes has fatal consequences for the expelled adult. The existence of floaters and the sporadic, but intense aggression between them and residents suggest that it can be misleading to assume an equal OSR in socially monogamous species based solely on group composition. Instead, we suggest that sexual selection models must assume not equal, but flexible, context-specific, OSR in monogamous species.Wenner-Gren Foundation, L.S.B. Leakey Foundation, the National Geographic Society, National Science Foundation (BCS- 0621020), the University of Pennsylvania Research Foundation and the Zoological Society of San Diego, German Science Foundation (HU 1746-2/1

Discussing the Feasibility of Acoustic Sensors for Side Channel-aided Industrial Intrusion Detection: An Essay

The fourth industrial revolution leads to an increased use of embedded computation and intercommunication in an industrial environment. While reducing cost and effort for set up, operation and maintenance, and increasing the time to operation or market respectively as well as the efficiency, this also increases the attack surface of enterprises. Industrial enterprises have become targets of cyber criminals in the last decade, reasons being espionage but also politically motivated. Infamous attack campaigns as well as easily available malware that hits industry in an unprepared state create a large threat landscape. As industrial systems often operate for many decades and are difficult or impossible to upgrade in terms of security, legacy-compatible industrial security solutions are necessary in order to create a security parameter. One plausible approach in industry is the implementation and employment of side-channel sensors. Combining readily available sensor data from different sources via different channels can provide an enhanced insight about the security state. In this work, a data set of an experimental industrial set up containing side channel sensors is discussed conceptually and insights are derived