Analysis of the Ability to Skill Formation and Stability of the Formed Skill in Mature Male Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and Hamadryas Baboons (Papio hamadryas).

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.

Seasonal Variability of Biochemical Parameters in Female Cynomolgus Macaques (Macaca fascicularis).

We study of seasonal variability of biochemical parameters of blood serum in female cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in the Adler nursery of the Research Institute of Medical Primatology kept under conditions of free access to the open enclosure. It was found that in the most favorable season for monkeys (from June to September) the serum levels of sodium, phosphorus, creatinine were significantly increased and cholesterol and calcium concentrations and lactate dehydrogenase activity were significantly reduced. There was no seasonal variability in the content of triglycerides, urea, potassium, activity of γ-glutamyltransferase, ALT, and AST.

Study the Differences between the Parameters of Learning and Exploratory Activities in Adult Male Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and Baboon Hamadryas (Papio hamadryas).

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.

Body Weight and Anxiety in Cynomolgus Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) Males.

We studied the relationship between body weight and behavioral characteristics (anxiety, social status, aggressive and exploratory behavior, and sociability) of socially housed adult male cynomolgus macaques. Of the studied parameters, only anxiety showed pronounced relationship with body weight. It is noteworthy that state anxiety demonstrated stronger relationship with body weight than trait anxiety.

Study of Relationship between Learning and Behavioral Parameters in Mature Male Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

A study of mature male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) was carried out to determine the relationships between learning ability, and behavioral parameters. In individuals with low behavioral scores of aggression, sociability, and mobility, the levels of learning, training, and skill retention were significantly higher than in individuals with higher behavioral scores. At the same time, individuals with a high level of anxiety were characterized with enhanced level of learning, training and skill stability.

Parameters of Experimental Activity in the Study of the Cognitive Abilities of Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and Baboons (Papio hamadryas).

We compared experimental activity, behavioral activity in the experiment, of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and baboons (Papio hamadryas). Baboons showed higher levels of experimental activity. The contrast in the activity between the species is probably associated with species-specific characteristics of the behavior and different ability to adapt under new conditions. In particular, they may be the result of lower plasticity of rhesus monkeys with respect to experimental conditions.

Correlation of Cognitive Abilities of Male Hamadryas Baboon with Age and Hierarchical Status.

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.

Relationship between Serum Biochemistry in Macaca Mulatta Males and the Duration of Stay in Individual Cage.

A relationship between transfer of monkeys from yard to individual cage and duration of stay in individual cage and the serum biochemical parameters is detected in Macaca mulatta males.

[BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BLOOD SERA IN DOMINANT AND SUBORDINATE RHESUS MONKEY MALES].

Study of relationship between the biochemical characteristics of blood serum from rhesus monkeys and their social rank was carried out. Some biochemical characteristics, first of all the content of urea and creatinine, the activity of aspartateaminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were positively correlated with a relative rank of males, and negatively - with their weight. The body weight of dominant males was significantly lower than that of subordinate males. The data obtained show a significant variation in the characteristics of biochemical metabolism in subordinate and dominant males whose origin is determined by the features of feeding of high and low rank males, as well as by different level of stress experienced by the animals with different social rank.

Study of Hamadryas Baboons (Papio Hamadryas) Ability to Solve Object Manipulation Tasks.

Cognitive ability to solve object manipulation tasks was evaluated by "string pulling" and "transparent tube" tests. The string pulling task was solved by 7 of 11 animals. The task of object extraction from the tube was too difficult, not a single animal solved it. The authors conclude that Hamadryas baboons demonstrated rather poor ability to solve object manipulation tasks.

[The ability of hamadryas baboons' adolescents to decide the modified Piaget's A-not-B error test].

We investigated the ability to the inhibition of a forced instrumental food-procuring reflex in hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas). The subjects of the study were immature animals of the two age groups: the eighteen-month-old group (six males and five females) and three-year-old group (seven males and seven females). To determine the capability we used the modified Piaget's A-not-B error test. Four monkeys correctly decided the test only. The inhibition of the forced conditioned reflex occurred in females only and in the equal degree in each age group. The findings also show the big variation in an activity among the individuals of the different sex and age during the decision of the task. Regarding animals have shown the ability to inhibit consolidation of the conditioned reflex, we tend to treat it as a manifestation of conscious choice, but more research is needed.

[Redirection and consolation in hamadryas baboons].

Post-conflict interactions between victims and non-involved group members was investigated in the troop of hamadryas baboons, Papio hamadryas. Observations were done in the Russian Primate Center, Adler in 1996-1997. Redirected aggression, initiation of affiliation from the side of victims towards third parties and consolation were registered during this study. The analyses was done on 445 PC-MC pairs of animals, represented different social classes (harem male-female pairs, harem females, relations, females from different harems, male-male pairs, female-subadult pairs). The attracted-pairs method and the time-rule method were used. Redirected aggression was practiced mainly by male aggressees. It was typical for victims, both males and females, to initiate affiliative interactions with third parties soon after the conflict. Consolation was practiced by hamadryas baboons, but it was limited to harem male-female pairs only. Special affiliative patterns were used by male-consoler. This is the first case, when consolation was demonstrated in baboons.

[Reconciliation in hamadryas baboons, Papio hamadryas: testing the relationships quality hypothesis].

Post-conflict interactions between former opponents were investigated in a troop of hamadryas baboons, Papio hamadryas. This species is known for it's multilevel structure with evidently expressed hierarchy between males and females. Due to this fact hamadryas baboons represent an ideal object for testing the "relationship quality" hypothesis. The analyses were done on 436 PC-MC pairs of animals, which represented different social classes (harem male-female pairs, harem females, relatives, females from different harems. Male-male pairs, and female-subadult pairs). Reconciliation was practiced in different social classes of individuals: harem male-female pairs, harem female-female pairs, kin-kin pairs, male-male pairs, female-subadult pairs. Significant differences in the rate of reconciliatory tendency for different categories of interacting animals were found. Interactions between former opponents were highly selective. These may be interpreted as an indicator of the influence of the relation quality on the probability of reconciliation in hamadryas baboons.

The causes of intragroup aggression in rhesus macaques.

The causes of aggression in rhesus macaques kept in a corral are considered with cognizance of the composition of conflicting pairs and the types of aggression. More than 85% of cases of aggressive interactions seen on the background of a peaceful setting in the group were found to occur in the context of avoiding proximity to the unwanted partner, demonstration of hierarchical status, protection of offspring, complications of play, and sexual pursuit.

[The causes of intragroup aggression in rhesus monkeys].

The causes of aggression in coral monkeys have been considered taking into account the composition of conflicting pairs and the forms of aggression. It was established that more than 85% of the aggressive interactions occurring on the background of a group calmness, were noted in a context of avoidance of closeness with an undesirable partner, demonstration of hierarchical status, competition for closeness to a preferable partner, competition for the resources, the defense of an infant, and complications during the play and sexual herding.

Aggression and the composition of conflicting pairs in green monkeys.

Aggressive behavior was studied in green monkeys kept in two groups in corrals in the Adler Primate Center. Studies addressed the effects of the composition of conflicting pairs, the nature of the relationship, relatedness, and hierarchical relationships between antagonists on the intensity and structure of their aggressive interactions. The frequency of contact aggression was found to be essentially independent of the composition of the conflicting pairs. At the same time, the frequency of non-contact aggressive events was sensitive to such factors of the conflicting pairs as the gender assignments of antagonists, membership of one or another maternal line, quality of relationships, and social ranking.

Studies of reconciliation in anubis baboons.

Studies of post-conflict reconciliation were performed on anubis baboons living in corrals. Reconciliation was found to occur after more than a third of the conflicts observed; the mean reconciliatory tendency was 27.3 +/- 2.4. Different categories of conflict pairs showed similar reconciliation frequencies. In 75% of cases, reconciliation occurred within the first 2 min of completion of the conflict. The set of behavioral fragments demonstrated by participants in reconciliation depended on gender and role in the conflict. Differences were seen in the magnitudes of the reconciliatory tendencies of monkeys of high and low rankings.

[Study of reconciliation in anubis baboons]. / Issledovanie primireniia u pavianov anubisov.

The study of post-conflict reconciliation in corral living anubis baboons was carried out. It was established that more than third part of the all the conflicts were followed with reconciliation, and the mean value for the frequency of reconciliation tendency was 27.3 +/- 2.4. The frequency of reconciliation in different categories of conflicting pairs of animals was comparable. 75% of cases of reconciliation occurred during the first 2 minutes after the conflict. Use of definite behavioral patterns by the individuals for demonstration of reconciliation depended on sex of the participants and on their role in the conflict. Differences in the indices of reconciliation tendency in high and low rank monkeys were found.

[Development of a method for creating a colony of Macaca mulatta, free of herpes B virus infection]. / Razrabotka metoda po sozdaniiu kolonii Macaca mulatta, svobodnoi ot gerpes v virusnoi infektsii.

To form the colony of monkeys, free of herpes B virus, the serological study was made with the aim of finding out the carriers of this virus. 482 rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) from the Adler monkey house were examined for the presence of antibodies to herpes B virus by the method of point immunoblotting with the use of Herpes virus simiae as antigen. The contamination of monkeys in different open-air cages varied from 12.5% to 92%. In different age groups, it was 27% in nonpubescent monkeys (49 out of 182 animals), 55% in adolescent monkeys (55 out of 99), 73% in pubescent monkeys (131 out of 179) and 95% in monkeys over 15 years (21 out of 22 animals). 9 groups of rhesus macaques (comprising altogether 81 animals), free of herpes B virus, were selected. The monkeys were repeatedly tested within a year; after that 10-17% of formerly seronegative monkeys were rejected and removed from the selected group. After the third testing 2.5% more of the animals were found to have seroconversion. The colony of rhesus macaques thus created exists at present. The animals are subjected to constant serological observation.