Overview
Research Internship
For my capstone project, I worked with Dr. Sian Evans at the Dumond Conservancy at Monkey Jungle for two years. While at the Conservancy I had the opportunity to assist Dr. Evan’s team on three different research projects, two of which were collaborations with out-of-state researchers and universities. I got to work with many of my classmates and two different types of primates one of which is seen to the left.
Lateralization in Owl Monkeys
The first study I assisted with focused on recording and collecting data on handedness in owl monkeys (Aotus spp.). In order to conduct the study, containers with grapes were prepared with openings large enough for the chosen subject to be able to comfortably reach in and grab a grape. Once ready, we would present the container to the subjects within their enclosure and record with which hand the monkeys would grab the grapes. This data was collected for a predetermined amount of time and the container was subsequently removed. At the time of the study, no published reports had been done on handedness in owl monkeys though studies have been conducted on chimpanzees and bonobos. The study aimed to examine whether a captive population would show hand preference. We found that most of the individuals seemed to prefer using their left hand to reach for the food item. Humans show about 90% bias for right-handedness. This is conjectured to be linked to lateralization in the brain and was previously thought to be unique to humans as a species. Research is being conducted on other species, specifically non-human primates, to investigate handedness and lateralization. Lateralization studies are not just linked to studies on handedness either. It is believed that lateralization is a part of nervous system organization. Understanding lateralization of other species helps us understand the evolution of lateralization in humans. This can ultimately help us to understand a multitude of human evolutionary characteristics and can help us understand brain lateralization in humans and processes linked to lateralization such as speech, psychiatric disorders, and emotional processing. This study was presented at the Undergraduate Research Conference hosted at FIU in March 2017. Below is a picture of the poster my classmates and I presented as well as a link to the abstract submitted for the conference.
Owl Monkeys Cortisol levels and Subcaudal Glands
The second study I was a part of was also conducted on owl monkeys (Aotus spp.). In this study, I was required to collect urine samples and subcaudal gland swabs from a select number of mated and unmated female owl monkeys. The subcaudal gland is located near the base of the tail and is thought to be used in olfactory communication which may play a role in social interactions within the family groups and in avoiding inbreeding. To the right is a picture of one of the family groups found at the Dumond Conservancy where the study took place.
The research question here was in two parts first we wanted to examine cortisol levels in different monkeys in their family groups using urine samples and second examine the subcaudal swabs and determine what role the microbiome and microbial content of the subcaudal play in relation to scent gland secretions.
Link Between Social Stress and Health in Java Macaques
The third and final study I participated in was conducted on java macaques (Macaca fascicularis) on behalf of Dr. Massimo Bardi at Randolph Macon College. In this study, I helped collect saliva samples from different individuals who were part of one of two of the troops found within Monkey Jungle’s compound. To collect the samples we would sew a dental chew onto a piece of yarn, soak the chews in clear Gatorade, and freeze them. When ready, the dental chew would be taken out of the freezer and placed into a cooler for transport. My partner and I would enter the java macaques enclosure and present the dental chew to one of the individuals selected for the study. The individual would be allowed to chew on the dental chew for a set amount of time before it was removed and stored. The subject was then given a food reward.
