Male Reproductive Strategies in Black and Gold Howler Monkeys (Alouatta caraya)

Behavioral and demographic factors such as group size, social structure, dispersal patterns, and mating systems affect male reproductive success. In the present study, we analyze the relationship between social structure, genetic relatedness of adult males and offspring paternity in one population of Alouatta caraya inhabiting a continuous forest in Northern Argentina. After 14 months of behavioral studies and genotyping 11 microsatellites, we found that dominant or central males achieved greater mating success and fathered all the offspring conceived during our study in two multimale?multifemale groups (both including three adult males). Although skewed toward the dominant males, females copulated with almost all resident males and with extra group males. We found significantly fewer agonistic interactions between adult males in the group with fewer females and where males were more genetically related to each other (average relatedness R-0.237; 0.015 int/ind/hr vs. r-0.02; 0.029 int/ ind/hr). Paternity was also analyzed in two other neighboring groups which also showed strong skew to one male over a 2 year period. These results reveal that even though female black and gold howlers mate with many males, infants are typically fathered by one dominant male. Am. J. Primatol. 76:43-55, 2014.Fil: Oklander, Luciana Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical; ArgentinaFil: Kowalewski, Miguel Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ; ArgentinaFil: Corach, Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Servicio de Huellas Digitales Genéticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Primate research and conservation in northern Argentina: the field station Corrientes (Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples – EBCo)

En Argentina encontramos cinco especies de primates: Alouatta guariba and Aotus Azarai Alouatta caraya, Cebus nigritus, and Cebus paraguayanus. Dos especies se encuentran en peligro de extinción (A. guariba and A. azarai). La mayor parte de los bosques que estas especies habitan se encuentran bajo una continua alteración antropogénica y la mayoría de las poblaciones de primates viven en zonas de bosque no protegidas. La Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples de Corrientes (EBCo) es una institución académica y de investigación establecida en 2001. Sus metas principales son la protección de la flora y fauna en la Provincia de Corrientes, al norte de Argentina, y el desarrollo de un plan de educación ambiental en el área que rodea la estación. Presentamos en este trabajo una revisión de la historia de la EBCo, de los objetivos, y de los proyectos de investigación. Estos ultimos están vinculados a estudios de demografía, comportamiento y ecología de primates. Otros versan sobre el estudio sobre el estado de salud de los ecosistemas y sobre la mejora de la capacidad de conservacionistas y políticos para tomar decisiones mas informadas acerca de la explotación de los bosques, la conservación de la fauna y flora, y el estado de salud de las poblaciones humanas en la zona.In Argentina two (Alouatta guariba and Aotus Azarai) out of five species of non-human primates are endangered (Alouatta caraya, Cebus nigritus, and Cebus paraguayanus). However, most of the forests these species inhabit are under continuous anthropogenic alteration and many are not protected. The Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples de Corrientes (EBCo) is an academic and research institution established in 2001, and its main goals are to ensure the protection of plant and animal species living in the province of Corrientes, northern Argentina, and to develop environmental education in the area surrounding the station. We present a short review of the history of the EBCO, its goals, research, and conservation projects. The main research projects are related to the study of demography, ecology, and behavior of primates in northern Argentina and to the study of ecosystem health aimed at identifying risk factors for disease transmission. Conservation-oriented activities are aimed at improving the ability of conservationists and policy-makers regarding timber exploitation, wildlife conservation, and human health.Fil: Zunino, Gabriel Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Kowalewski, Miguel Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. University of Illinois; Estados Unido

The parasite behavior hypothesis and the use of sleeping sites by black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) in a discontinuous forest

The selection of high trees to sleep is a common pattern in primates (Anderson, 1984). In this study howlers slept in tall trees characterized by a closed crown, possibly related to a reduction in predation. We also found selectivity in the trees used as sleeping sites because these trees were not the most abundant in the forest. Selection of sleeping trees was consistent with a predator avoidance hypothesis: Ficus and Tabeuia were the tallest trees in the forest and possibly provided protection against. We also found evidence in support of a thermoregulation hypothesis: they always slept huddled as a group, a social hypothesis: the large crowns of the selected trees allowed the groups to sleep together all the times, a safety hypothesis: trees selected offered large branches and crowns to accommodate the individuals, and a feeding site hypothesis: Ficus trees constituted the most important species in howlers' diet. Although the selection of sleeping trees was consistent with several alternative hypotheses, it was not consistent with parasite avoidance. Parasite avoidance did not appear to have exerted a strong selective pressure on the use of sleeping trees.Fil: Kowalewski, Miguel Martin. University of Illinois; Estados UnidosFil: Zunino, Gabriel Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentin

Postural behavior of howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata, A. macconnelli, and A. caraya) during sleep: an assessment across the genus range

Sleep is the longest and most continuous behavioral phase in the 24 h cycle of mammals. However, selection of postures, substrates, and tree parts during sleep has not been adequately explored, as well as their evolutionary consequences. The present study investigates postural behavior, substrate, and tree part use during sleep in three howler species (A. palliata, A. macconnelli, and A. caraya) in Nicaragua, French Guiana, and Argentina. All three species were consistent in the use of a crouched ball-like sit-in posture on large, horizontal, unramified, or bifurcated substrates, and in avoiding the periphery of tree crowns. The regularities of these sleeping patterns are very likely functionally associated with protection from potential predators and extreme weather conditions, biomechanical stability, thermoregulation, and enhancement of the digestive process of hard-to-decompose plant material.Fil: Urbani, Bernardo. Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas; VenezuelaFil: Youlatos, Dionisios. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; GreciaFil: Kowalewski, Miguel Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples (Sede Corrientes); Argentin

Test-Case Generation for Embedded Binary Code Using Abstract Interpretation

This paper describes a framework for test-case generation for microcontroller binary programs using abstract interpretation techniques. The key idea of our approach is to derive program invariants a priori, and then use backward analysis to obtain test vectors that are executed on the target microcontroller. Due to the structure of binary code, the abstract interpretation framework is based on propositional encodings of the program semantics and SAT solving

Evidencias de infanticidio en el mono caí negro (Sapajus nigritus) en un remanente de Bosque Atlántico Argentino

Los infanticidios son eventos raros que tienen gran impacto en las poblaciones de primates. El mono caí negro, Sapajus nigritus, es una especie nativa del Bosque Atlántico. Los registros previos de infanticidios en la especie han sido explicados por la teoría de selección sexual, y ocurren en grandes grupos luego del recambio de los machos dominantes. En este trabajo, describimos un nuevo caso de infanticidio producido por un miembro no identificado de un grupo silvestre de S. nigritus, en un remanente del Bosque Atlántico que se encuentra bajo disturbio antrópico. El grupo de estudio (de 30-35 individuos) tiene un área de acción que se superpone con grupos de monos de otras especies en un fragmento de bosque aislado de 570 ha. Esta superpoblación de primates en un área pequeña podría resultar en un aumento de la intolerancia y agresiones. De esta forma, el infanticidio podría ser explicado de manera no-adaptativa como la teoría de la patología social.An infanticide is a rare event but has important impact in primate populations. The black-horned capuchin monkey, Sapajus nigritus, is a native species from the Atlantic Forest. Previous reports of infanticide in this species are explained with the ‘sexual-selection’ hypothesis, and occur in large groups and after a dominant male replacement. Here we provide evidence of a new case of infanticide by a non-identified member of a wild group of S. nigritus, in a remnant of the Atlantic Forest under anthropogenic disturbance. Our study group (30-35 individuals) overlapped its home range with other species’ groups in an isolated forest fragment (570 ha). This primate overcrowding in a small area may have increased social intolerance and aggression. In this regard, this infanticide event may be associated to a non-adaptive explanation such as the social pathology hypothesis.Fil: Illia, Gimena Anahi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; ArgentinaFil: Kowalewski, Miguel Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples (Sede Corrientes); ArgentinaFil: Oklander, Luciana Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentin

Relationship between age-sex classes and prevalence of Giardia spp. and Blastocistys spp. in black and gold howler monkeys inhabiting fragmented forests

Algunos estudios han demostrado que a medida que aumenta la edad, el parasitismo también podría aumentar, por otro lado, la falta de inmunidad puede incrementar el riesgo de infección en individuos más jóvenes. En cuanto al sexo, existe una tendencia general a que los machos estén más parasitados que las hembras, en el caso de los primates, esto está relacionado al esfuerzo que realizan los machos para alcanzar y mantener un alto rango, implicando niveles elevados de testosterona, una hormona con efectos inmunosupresores. Efectos inmunosupresores de las hormonas del estrés también pueden incrementar la susceptibilidad en individuos dominantes o subordinados, sin embargo, en un estudio, el nivel de exposición a parásitos parece ser más importante que los efectos inmunosupresores del estrés para explicar por qué las hembras dominantes tienen más infecciones por parásito. En este estudio, investigamos la relación entre la prevalencia de Giardia spp. y Blastocystis spp. y las categorías de edad y sexo en monos aulladores negros y dorados (Alouatta caraya) de Argentina. Se analizaron 375 muestras fecales de 27 individuos (juveniles y adultos de ambos sexos), mediante microscopia y técnicas de flotación y sedimentación. Para analizar la relación entre edad, sexo y prevalencia de infección se utilizó un Modelo Lineal Generalizado Mixto. En adultos, la prevalencia de infección fue del 78.5 %, mientras que, en los juveniles, todos los individuos (100 %) estuvieron infectados con ambos protozoos. Los machos tuvieron una prevalencia de infección de 84.6 %, y las hembras 92.8 %. Al comparar la prevalencia de infección entre edades y entre sexos, no se encontraron diferencias significativas (P > 0.05). Investigaciones sugieren que las tasas de infección parasitaria pueden ser afectadas por la forma de transmisión, en este sentido, estos protozoos, se transmiten a través de la ingestión de quistes, lo cuales son infecciosos inmediatamente después de la defecación. Por otro lado, todos los miembros del grupo tienden a defecar simultáneamente, contribuyendo a la presencia de áreas contaminadas con heces, dejando a todos los miembros del grupo expuestos a la infección. Por lo tanto, sugerimos que los factores fisiológicos o de comportamiento no parecen ser importantes en el riesgo de infección por protozoos.Studies have shown that as age increases, parasitism could also be more frequent, on the other hand, the lack of immunity can increase the risk of infection in younger individuals. Regarding sex, there is a general tendency for males to be more parasitized than females, in the case of primates, this is related to the effort made by males into attaining and maintain a high rank, implying high levels of testosterone, a hormone with immunosuppressive effects. Immunosuppressive effects of stress hormones can also increase susceptibility in dominant or subordinate individuals, nevertheless, in a study, the level of exposure to parasites seems to be more important than the immunosuppressive effects of stress in explaining why dominant females have more infections from directly transmitted parasites. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the prevalence of Giardia spp. and Blastocystis spp. and the categories of age and sex in black and golden howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) of Argentina. We analyzed 375 fecal samples from 27 individuals (juveniles and adults of both sexes), using microscopy and techniques of flotation and sedimentation. To analyze the relationship between age, sex, and infection prevalence, a Generalized Linear Mixed Model was used. In adults, the prevalence of infection was 78.5 % while in juveniles, all individuals (100 %) were infected with both protozoa. Males had a infection prevalence 84.6%, in females it was 92.8 %. When comparing infection prevalence between ages and between sexes, no significant differences were found (P > 0.05). Research suggests that parasite infection rates may be influenced by specific form of transmission, in this sense, these protozoa, are transmitted through ingestion of cysts which are infectious immediately after defecation has occurred. On the other hand, all members of the group tend to defecate simultaneously, leaving all the members of the group exposed to infection. Therefore, we suggest that physiological or behavioral factors do not appear to be important in the risk of protozoan infection.Fil: Alegre, Rumelsilda Eliana. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; ArgentinaFil: Gennuso, María Sol. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples (Sede Corrientes); ArgentinaFil: Milano, Francisca. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; ArgentinaFil: Kowalewski, Miguel Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples (Sede Corrientes); Argentin

Habitat Fragmentation and Population Size of the Black and Gold Howler Monkey (Alouatta caraya) in a Semideciduous Forest in Northern Argentina

A population of black and gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) living near the southern limit of its distribution in a semideciduous forest located in northern Argentina was studied in 2003 to evaluate the possible effects of habitat fragmentation - owing to logging - on its density and social organization within it. Aerial photographs taken in 1982, 1992, and 2001 were used to compare maps of vegetation. These maps were used to evaluate changes in the area covered by forest fragments. From March to June 2003, 10-day monthly surveys of howlers were made in each fragment. A total of 232 individual howlers were counted, belonging to 34 groups plus a solitary adult female. Groups ranged from 2 to 19 individuals (mean = 6.82, SD = 4.23), and 21% of the groups contained more than one adult male. Adults accounted for 55% of the individuals, immatures for 45%, and infants represented 13% of the total. Data obtained were compared with information available for the same population for 1982 and 1995. Results revealed no significant changes in the area of fragments, the crude and ecological density of howlers, and group composition. Group sizes and group composition of howlers suggest that the population remained stable over the past 22 years. The density, number of groups, and individuals appears not to be affected by fragmentation and logging, but crude density was low compared with other less-disturbed habitats. The status of the population remains uncertain owing to isolation, and because there are no protected areas to ensure its stability for the future.Fil: Zunino, Gabriel Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples (Sede Corrientes); ArgentinaFil: Kowalewski, Miguel Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples (Sede Corrientes); Argentina. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Oklander, Luciana Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples (Sede Corrientes); ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Viridiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples (Sede Corrientes); Argentin

Molecular characterization of trypanosomatid infections in wild howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) in northeastern Argentina

The transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi by vectors is confined to the Americas, and the infection circulates in at least two broadly defined transmission cycles occurring in domestic and sylvatic habitats. This study sought to detect and characterize infection by T. cruzi and other trypanosomes using PCR strategies in blood samples from free-ranging howler monkeys, Alouatta caraya, in the northeastern Argentina. Blood samples were collected at four sites with variable levels of habitat modification by human activity. PCR was conducted using primers for kinetoplast DNA, satellite DNA and ribosomal DNA of the trypanosomatid parasites. Ribosomal and satellite DNA fragments were sequenced to identify the trypanosomatid species and to characterize the discrete typing units (DTUs) of T. cruzi. Overall, 46% (50/109) of the howlers were positive according to the kDNA-PCR assay, but only 7 of the howlers were positive according to the SatDNA-PCR protocol. We sequenced the amplicons of the satellite DNA obtained from five specimens, and the sequences were 99% and 100% similar to T. cruzi. A sequence typical of DTU T. cruzi I was found in one howler monkey from the ?remote? site, while sequences compatible with DTUs II, V, and VI were found in howlers from the ?remote?, ?rural? and ?village? sites. We detected 96% positive samples for RibDNA-PCR, 9 of which were sequenced and displayed 99% identity with Trypanosoma minasense, while none showed identity with T. cruzi. The results demonstrated the presence of T. cruzi and a species closely related to T. minasense in blood samples from free-ranging A. caraya, belonging to different T. cruzi DTUs circulating in these howler monkey populations. The results obtained in this study could help evaluate the role of A. caraya as a reservoir of T. cruzi in regions where Chagas disease is hyper-endemic and where the human-wildlife interface is increasing.Fil: Martínez, Mariela Florencia. Ministerio de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ; ArgentinaFil: Kowalewski, Miguel Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ; ArgentinaFil: Salomón, Oscar Daniel. Ministerio de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Schijman, Alejandro Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular ; Argentin