Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Marmosets
Kinds of Marmosets Terms modified by Marmosets Selected AbstractsNeuroprotective effect of riluzole in a primate model of Parkinson's disease: Behavioral and histological evidenceMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 1 2002Maria C. Obinu PhD Abstract Our study aimed to determine whether riluzole, which has shown efficacy as a disease-modifying agent in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is neuroprotective in a marmoset model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Reduction of energy demand by riluzole could be a rational neuroprotective strategy with good tolerability. The efficacy of riluzole was evaluated in marmosets by testing its ability to reduce MPTP-induced behavioral deficits and loss of dopaminergic nigral neurons. Marmosets were divided into two groups of four animals each: animals in Group 1 were injected twice with MPTP (2 mg/kg subcutaneous) and treated with riluzole (10 mg/kg per os b.i.d.), animals in Group 2 (controls) were injected with MPTP and with the vehicle of riluzole. A third group of marmosets which did not receive MPTP or riluzole drug was introduced for neurohistopathological studies (normal animals). Marmosets treated with riluzole preserved a better motor function and neurological performance through the 26 days of assessment when compared with the controls. Histologically, there was sparing of TH- and Nissl-stained nigral neurons and of TH-stained terminals in the striatum and the putamen in the group treated with riluzole compared to the controls. We conclude that riluzole protects dopaminergic neurons and reduces behavioral deficits in a marmoset model of PD. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society. [source] The functional correlates of jaw-muscle fiber architecture in tree-gouging and nongouging callitrichid monkeysAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Andrea B. Taylor Abstract Common (Callithrix jacchus) and pygmy (Cebuella pygmaea) marmosets and cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) share broadly similar diets of fruits, insects, and tree exudates. Marmosets, however, differ from tamarins in actively gouging trees with their anterior dentition to elicit tree exudates flow. Tree gouging in common marmosets involves the generation of relatively wide jaw gapes, but not necessarily relatively large bite forces. We compared fiber architecture of the masseter and temporalis muscles in C. jacchus (N = 18), C. pygmaea (N = 5), and S. oedipus (N = 13). We tested the hypothesis that tree-gouging marmosets would exhibit relatively longer fibers and other architectural variables that facilitate muscle stretch. As an architectural trade-off between maximizing muscle excursion/contraction velocity and muscle force, we also tested the hypothesis that marmosets would exhibit relatively less pinnate fibers, smaller physiologic cross-sectional areas (PCSA), and lower priority indices (I) for force. As predicted, marmosets display relatively longer-fibered muscles, a higher ratio of fiber length to muscle mass, and a relatively greater potential excursion of the distal tendon attachments, all of which favor muscle stretch. Marmosets further display relatively smaller PCSAs and other features that reflect a reduced capacity for force generation. The longer fibers and attendant higher contraction velocities likely facilitate the production of relatively wide jaw gapes and the capacity to generate more power from their jaw muscles during gouging. The observed functional trade-off between muscle excursion/contraction velocity and muscle force suggests that primate jaw-muscle architecture reflects evolutionary changes related to jaw movements as one of a number of functional demands imposed on the masticatory apparatus. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Substrate determines asymmetrical gait dynamics in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Jesse W. Young Abstract Studies of skeletal pathology indicate that injury from falling accounts for most long bone trauma in free-ranging primates, suggesting that primates should be under strong selection to manifest morphological and behavioral mechanisms that increase stability on arboreal substrates. Although previous studies have identified several kinematic and kinetic features of primate symmetrical gaits that serve to increase arboreal stability, very little work has focused on the dynamics of primate asymmetrical gaits. Nevertheless, asymmetrical gaits typify the rapid locomotion of most primates, particularly in smaller bodied taxa. This study investigated asymmetrical gait dynamics in growing marmosets and squirrel monkeys moving on terrestrial and simulated arboreal supports (i.e., an elevated pole). Results showed that monkeys used several kinematic and kinetic adjustments to increase stability on the pole, including reducing peak vertical forces, limiting center of mass movements, increasing substrate contact durations, and using shorter and more frequent strides (thus limiting disruptive whole-body aerial phases). Marmosets generally showed greater adjustment to pole locomotion than did squirrel monkeys, perhaps as a result of their reduced grasping abilities and retreat from the fine-branch niche. Ontogenetic increases in body size had relatively little independent influence on asymmetrical gait dynamics during pole locomotion, despite biomechanical theory suggesting that arboreal instability is exacerbated as body size increases relative to substrate diameter. Overall, this study shows that 1) symmetrical gaits are not the only stable way to travel arboreally and 2) small-bodied primates utilize specific kinematic and kinetic adjustments to increase stability when using asymmetrical gaits on arboreal substrates. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Neighbor effects in marmosets: social contagion of agonism and affiliation in captive Callithrix jacchusAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2010Claire F.I. Watson Abstract Researchers have demonstrated the neighbor effect for affiliative and agonistic neighbor vocalizations in captive chimpanzees. We extend the investigation of the neighbor effect to New World monkeys, Callithrix jacchus. We collected data on vocalizations and behaviors of 31 focal individuals and concurrent neighbor vocalization within three behavioral categories: intragroup and intergroup aggression and intragroup affiliation. We investigated whether there was an influence of neighbor vocalizations on focal behavior within the same behavioral category. For data analysis we used approximate randomization of paired-sample t -tests. We found that marmosets performed intergroup aggressive behavior (bristle, anogenital present for neighbor loud shrill only) for significantly longer, and emitted significantly more intergroup agonistic vocalizations (twitter, loud shrill), at a high frequency of intergroup agonistic neighbor vocalizations (twitter, loud shrill) than at low. The marmosets were also significantly more likely to engage in bristle behavior immediately after hearing a neighbor intergroup aggressive call (twitter, loud shrill) than directly beforehand. High neighbor intragroup agonistic calls (chatter) were associated with significantly longer spent in related behavior (composite of: attack, chase, steal food). Affiliative behaviors (share food, grooming invite) were engaged in by marmosets for significantly longer at higher frequencies of affiliative neighbor chirp calls than at low. Marmosets were also significantly more likely to perform food sharing and active affiliative contact immediately after rather than before hearing a neighbor chirp call. Our findings suggest that neighbor vocalizations influence marmoset behavior through social contagion and indicate that the neighbor effect for affiliation and aggression generalizes to the marmoset. Am. J. Primatol. 72:549,558, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Digestion in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a gummivore,frugivoreAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 12 2009Michael L. Power Abstract Wild common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) feed on fruits, insects, and gums, all of which provide different digestive challenges. Much of the ingested mass of fruits consists of seeds. In general, seeds represent indigestible bulk to marmosets and could inhibit feeding if they are not eliminated rapidly. In contrast, gums are ,-linked polysaccharides that require microbial fermentation. Their digestion would benefit from an extended residence time within the gut. Earlier research found that mean retention time (MRT) for a liquid digestive marker (cobalt EDTA) was significantly longer than MRT for a particulate marker (chromium-mordanted fiber), suggesting that common marmosets preferentially retain liquid digesta. We conducted two four-day-long digestion trials on 13 individually housed adult common marmosets fed a single-item, purified diet in order to examine the relations among MRT of cobalt EDTA and chromium-mordanted fiber, food dry matter intake (DMI), and apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM). We compared the MRT values with the data from the previous study mentioned above and a study using polystyrene beads. There were no significant correlations among MRT, ADDM, or DMI, although increases in DMI between trials were associated with decreases in MRT. ADDM was consistent within individuals between trials; but the mean values ranged from 75.0 to 83.4% among individuals. We found no difference in MRT between the liquid (17.5±1.6,hr) and particulate (17.9±1.4 hr) markers. Although these values were not significantly different than found previously, the MRT for chromium-mordanted fiber tended to be longer. This probably reflects the relatively small size of the chromium-mordanted fiber particles used in this study. An inverse relationship between particle size and MRT was evident; the mean MRT of polysterene beads, the largest marker, was only 8.3±1.5,hr. Marmosets appear to retain liquids and small particles within the gut longer than large particles. Am. J. Primatol. 71:957,963, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Production and perception of sex differences in vocalizations of Wied's black-tufted-ear marmosets (Callithrix kuhlii)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Adam S. Smith Abstract Males and females from many species produce distinct acoustic variations of functionally identical call types. Social behavior may be primed by sex-specific variation in acoustic features of calls. We present a series of acoustic analyses and playback experiments as methods for investigating this subject. Acoustic parameters of phee calls produced by Wied's black-tufted-ear marmosets (Callithrix kuhlii) were analyzed for sex differences. Discriminant function analyses showed that calls contained sufficient acoustic variation to predict the sex of the caller. Several frequency variables differed significantly between the sexes. Natural and synthesized calls were presented to male,female pairs. Calls elicited differential behavioral responses based on the sex of the caller. Marmosets became significantly more vigilant following the playback of male phee calls (both natural and synthetic) than following female phee calls. In a second playback experiment, synthesized calls were modified by independently manipulating three parameters that were known to differ between the sexes (low-, peak-, and end-frequency). When end-frequency-modified calls were presented, responsiveness was differentiable by sex of caller but did not differ from responses to natural calls. This suggests that marmosets did not use end-frequency to determine the sex of the caller. Manipulation of peak-and low-frequency parameters eliminated the discrete behavioral responses to male and female calls. Together, these parameters may be important features that encode for the sex-specific signal. Recognition of sex by acoustic cues seems to be a multivariate process that depends on the congruency of acoustic features. Am. J. Primatol. 71:324,332, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Contact calls of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus): influence of age of caller on antiphonal calling and other vocal responsesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009H.-C. Chen Abstract Marmosets, as do many other primates, live in forest environments, are group living and constantly at risk of predation. Retaining contact with one another is therefore a matter of survival. We ask here whether their contact calls (phee and twitter vocalizations) are in some way ordered acoustically by sex or age and whether the calls of older marmosets elicit different responses than those of younger marmosets. In our study, marmosets (2,14 years) were visually isolated from conspecifics and the vocal responses to each isolated caller by other marmosets in the colony were recorded. Vocal responses to phee calls largely consisted of phee calls and, less commonly, twitter calls. No differences between the responses to calls by males and females were apparent. However, we found a strong positive and significant correlation between the caller's age and the percentage of its phee calls receiving a phee response, and a significant negative correlation between the caller's age and the percentage of its phee calls receiving a twitter response. The older the marmoset, the more antiphonal calling occurred. Two-syllable phee calls were emitted more often by older marmosets (10,14 years) than by younger ones (2,6 years). Hence, we have found age-dependent differences in phee-call production and a consistent change in the response received across the adult life-span. This age-dependent effect was independent of kinship relations. This is the first evidence that marmosets distinguish age by vocal parameters alone and make social decisions based on age. Am. J. Primatol. 71:165,170, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Diurnal cycle in salivary cortisol levels in common marmosetsDEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2004Nicola Cross Abstract A noninvasive method of saliva sampling was used to assess the diurnal cortisol rhythm from 0900 to 1700 hr in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). The levels of cortisol were highest in the morning and declined significantly over the day. Individual marmosets varied in the magnitude of the cycle, and the greatest individual variability occurred in the morning levels. The decrease in cortisol levels was more rapid after than before the midday feeding period in subordinate marmosets (aged 53,63 months) compared to dominant marmosets (aged 79,80 months), and overall, the levels of cortisol were higher in the subordinate marmosets. We found no effect of sex on cortisol levels across the cycle. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 45: 134-139, 2004. [source] Haematopoietic progenitor cells from the common marmoset as targets of gene transduction by retroviral and adenoviral vectorsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2001Hitoshi Hibino Abstract: To establish a new non-human primate model for human cytokine and gene therapy, we characterized lymphocytes and haematopoietic progenitor cells of the small New World monkey, the common marmoset. We first assessed the reactions of marmoset bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) cells to mouse anti-human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the purpose of isolating marmoset lymphocytes and haematopoietic progenitor cells. Both cell fractions stained with CD4 and CD8 mAbs were identified as lymphocytes by cell proliferation assay and morphological examination. Myeloid-specific mAbs such as CD14 and CD33 did not react with marmoset BM and PB cells. No available CD34 and c-kit mAbs could be used to purify the marmoset haematopoietic progenitor cells. Furthermore, we studied the in vitro transduction of the bacterial ,-galactosidase (LacZ) gene into CFU-GM derived from marmoset BM using retroviral and adenoviral vectors. The transduction efficiency was increased by using a mixed culture system consisting of marmoset BM stromal cells and retroviral producer cells. It was also possible to transduce LacZ gene into marmoset haematopoietic progenitor cells with adenoviral vectors as well as retroviral vectors. The percentage of adenovirally transduced LacZ-positive clusters was 15% at day 4 (multiplicity of infection=200), but only 1,2% at day 14. The differential use of viral vector systems is to be recommended in targeting different diseases. Our results suggested that marmoset BM progenitor cells were available to examine the transduction efficiency of various viral vectors in vitro. [source] Characterization and synaptic connectivity of melanopsin-containing ganglion cells in the primate retinaEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 10 2007Patricia R. Jusuf Abstract Melanopsin is a photopigment expressed in retinal ganglion cells, which are intrinsically photosensitive and are also involved in retinal circuits arising from rod and cone photoreceptors. This circuitry, however, is poorly understood. Here, we studied the morphology, distribution and synaptic input to melanopsin-containing ganglion cells in a New World monkey, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). The dendrites of melanopsin-containing cells in marmoset stratify either close to the inner nuclear layer (outer stratifying), or close to the ganglion cell layer (inner stratifying). The dendritic fields of outer-stratifying cells tile the retina, with little overlap. However, the dendritic fields of outer-stratifying cells largely overlap with the dendritic fields of inner-stratifying cells. Thus, inner-stratifying and outer-stratifying cells may form functionally independent populations. The synaptic input to melanopsin-containing cells was determined using synaptic markers (antibodies to C-terminal binding protein 2, CtBP2, for presumed bipolar synapses, and antibodies to gephyrin for presumed amacrine synapses). Both outer-stratifying and inner-stratifying cells show colocalized immunoreactive puncta across their entire dendritic tree for both markers. The density of CtBP2 puncta on inner dendrites was about 50% higher than that on outer dendrites. The density of gephyrin puncta was comparable for outer and inner dendrites but higher than the density of CtBP2 puncta. The inner-stratifying cells may receive their input from a type of diffuse bipolar cell (DB6). Our results are consistent with the idea that both outer and inner melanopsin cells receive bipolar and amacrine input across their dendritic tree. [source] Heteromodal connections supporting multisensory integration at low levels of cortical processing in the monkeyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 11 2005Céline Cappe Abstract While multisensory integration is thought to occur in higher hierarchical cortical areas, recent studies in man and monkey have revealed plurisensory modulations of activity in areas previously thought to be unimodal. To determine the cortical network involved in multisensory interactions, we performed multiple injections of different retrograde tracers in unimodal auditory (core), somatosensory (1/3b) and visual (V2 and MT) cortical areas of the marmoset. We found three types of heteromodal connections linking unimodal sensory areas. Visuo-somatosensory projections were observed originating from visual areas [probably the ventral and dorsal fundus of the superior temporal area (FSTv and FSTd), and middle temporal crescent (MTc)] toward areas 1/3b. Somatosensory projections to the auditory cortex were present from S2 and the anterior bank of the lateral sulcus. Finally, a visuo-auditory projection arises from an area anterior to the superior temporal sulcus (STS) toward the auditory core. Injections in different sensory regions allow us to define the frontal convexity and the temporal opercular caudal cortex as putative polysensory areas. A quantitative analysis of the laminar distribution of projecting neurons showed that heteromodal connections could be either feedback or feedforward. Taken together, our results provide the anatomical pathway for multisensory integration at low levels of information processing in the primate and argue against a strict hierarchical model. [source] Experimental respiratory anthrax infection in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Mark S. Lever Summary Inhalational anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal infection in man. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) was evaluated as a small non-human primate (NHP) model of inhalational anthrax infection, as an alternative to larger NHP species. The marmoset was found to be susceptible to inhalational exposure to Bacillus anthracis Ames strain. The pathophysiology of infection following inhalational exposure was similar to that previously reported in the rhesus and cynomolgus macaque and humans. The calculated LD50 for B. anthracis Ames strain in the marmoset was 1.47 × 103 colony-forming units, compared with a published LD50 of 5.5 × 104 spores in the rhesus macaque and 4.13 × 103 spores in the cynomolgus macaque. This suggests that the common marmoset is an appropriate alternative NHP and will be used for the evaluation of medical countermeasures against respiratory anthrax infection. [source] Molecular cloning of three nonhuman primate follicle stimulating hormone ,-subunit cDNAsJOURNAL OF MEDICAL PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2001M.J. Wolfgang The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ,-subunit cDNAs were cloned and sequenced for an old world primate, the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta), and two New World primates, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea). The cDNA and predicted amino acid sequences of the rhesus monkey FSH ,-subunit were related most closely to the human FSH , -subunit (>96% identity). The common and pygmy marmosets have identical FSH , -subunit cDNAs, whereas the marmoset FSH , -subunit diverges from the rhesus and human molecules with less than 93% identity. These results have significance for the implementation of assisted reproductive technologies in the nonhuman primate as well as the evolution of genes encoding reproductive hormones. [source] Novel antiepileptic drug levetiracetam decreases dyskinesia elicited by L -dopa and ropinirole in the MPTP-lesioned marmosetMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 11 2003Michael P. Hill PhD Abstract Long-term dopamine replacement therapy of Parkinson's disease leads to the occurrence of dyskinesias. Altered firing patterns of neurons of the internal globus pallidus, involving a pathological synchronization/desynchronization process, may contribute significantly to the genesis of dyskinesia. Levetiracetam, an antiepileptic drug that counteracts neuronal (hyper)synchronization in animal models of epilepsy, was assessed in the MPTP,lesioned marmoset model of Parkinson's disease, after coadministration with (1) levodopa (L -dopa) or (2) ropinirole/L -dopa combination. Oral administration of levetiracetam (13,60 mg/kg) in combination with either L -dopa (12 mg/kg) alone or L -dopa (8 mg/kg)/ropinirole (1.25 mg/kg) treatments was associated with significantly less dyskinesia, in comparison to L -dopa monotherapy during the first hour after administration. Thus, new nondopaminergic treatment strategies targeting normalization of abnormal firing patterns in basal ganglia structures may prove useful as an adjunct to reduce dyskinesia induced by dopamine replacement therapy without affecting its antiparkinsonian action. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society [source] Quantitative MRI-pathology correlations of brain white matter lesions developing in a non-human primate model of multiple sclerosisNMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 2 2007Erwin L. A. Blezer Abstract Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced with recombinant human myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein in the common marmoset is a useful preclinical model of multiple sclerosis in which white matter lesions can be well visualized with MRI. In this study we characterized lesion progression with quantitative in vivo MRI (4.7,T; T1 relaxation time,±,Gd-DTPA; T2 relaxation time; magnetization transfer ratio, MTR, imaging) and correlated end stage MRI presentation with quantitative ex vivo MRI (formaldehyde fixed brains; T1 and T2 relaxation times; MTR) and histology. The histopathological characterization included axonal density measurements and the numeric quantification of infiltrated macrophages expressing markers for early active [luxol fast blue (LFB) or migration inhibition factor-related protein-14 positive] or late active/inactive [periodic acid Schiff (PAS) positive] demyelinating lesion. MRI experiments were done every two weeks until the monkeys were sacrificed with severe EAE-related motor deficits. Compared with the normal appearing white matter, lesions showed an initial increase in T1 relaxation times, leakage of Gd-DTPA and decrease in MTR values. The progressive enlargement of lesions was associated with stabilized T1 values, while T2 initially increased and stabilized thereafter and MTR remained decreased. Gd-DTPA leakage was highly variable throughout the experiment. MRI characteristics of the cortex and (normal appearing) white matter did not change during the experiment. We observed that in vivo MTR values correlated positively with the number of early active (LFB+) and negatively with late active (PAS+) macrophages. Ex vivo MTR and relaxation times correlated positively with the number of PAS-positive macrophages. None of the investigated MRI parameters correlated with axonal density. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Upregulation of immunoreactivity of endothelin-1 and ,-SMA in PDL microvasculature following acute tooth loading: an immunohistochemical study in the marmosetORTHODONTICS & CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2003MR Sims Structured Abstract Authors , Sims MR, Ashworth JF, Sampson WJ Objectives , To test the hypothesis that a continuous mechanical tooth load would elevate immunoreactivity of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (,-SMA) in the periodontal ligament (PDL) microvasculature. Design , A randomized control study employing 1.5 h of loading to first molars. Setting and Sample Population , Orthodontic Research Laboratory, Dental School, Adelaide University. Four young adult, male marmoset monkeys were consecutively anaesthetized and treated. Experimental Variable , An external telescoping frame applied a jaw closing load (120,200 g) transmitted occlusally, via a rubber pad, to randomly assigned mandibular left or right first molars. Contralateral molars were used as controls. Outcome Measure , Undemineralized, midsagittal, mandibular molar slices, ,150 ,m thick were immunolabelled with ET-1 and ,-SMA antibodies and examined in a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) for vascular endothelium and smooth muscle immunolabelling. Results , Three categories of post-capillary-sized venule endothelial cell immunolabelling occurred: endothelium labelled solely with ET-1; endothelium labelled solely with ,-SMA; endothelium labelled with both ET-1 and ,-SMA. In endothelial cells, the ,-SMA showed a moderate cytoplasmic distribution with dense peripheral concentration. Loading increased arteriole ,-SMA actin labelling. Conclusion , Scattered expression of ET-1 is the default state in primate PDL endothelial cells. Increased antigenicity of endothelial cells to both ET-1 and ,-SMA, and of arteriolar smooth muscle to ,-SMA, is a response to shear and compression loads. [source] Variations in male parenting behavior and physiology in the common marmosetAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Toni E. Ziegler Infant survival and wellbeing is dependent upon good parenting skills. In some species of primates, fathers are necessary to ensure both positive developmental and social outcomes for their offspring. Common marmosets and the related cotton-top tamarin monkeys provide extensive paternal care of multiple offspring and are essential for infant survival. However, we have found significant variation in a father's motivation to respond to infant stimuli. Additionally, marmoset males who are experienced fathers are significantly more motivated to respond to infants and infant stimuli than adult males who have yet to be fathers. Expectant fathers appear to be preparing for their energetic role in infant care by responding with increases in multiple reproductive hormones and showing weight gain during their mate's pregnancy. Male marmosets have been shown to be hormonally responsive to scent signals. Males show increased testosterone shortly after smelling periovulatory scents and lower levels of testosterone following presentation of their own infant's scent. These two inverse testosterone responses combined indicate that paternal males have a flexible system of responding to socially relevant odor cues. Thus males can be ready to mate when their mate is fertile while continuing to be responsive to their infants when these two events occur simultaneously. A male's hormonal and physical responsiveness to parenting may be due to pair bonding between the male and his mate. Examining the variability between males in their behavioral, physical, and hormonal responses to their mate's pregnancy, and infant stimuli provides the means for determining the mechanisms of good parenting in fathers. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Distribution of olfactory epithelium in the primate nasal cavity: Are microsmia and macrosmia valid morphological concepts?THE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Timothy D. Smith Abstract The terms "microsmatic" and "macrosmatic" are used to compare species with greater versus lesser olfactory capabilities, such as carnivores compared to certain primates. These categories have been morphologically defined based on the size of olfactory bulb and surface area of olfactory epithelium in the nasal fossa. The present study examines assumptions regarding the morphological relationship of bony elements to the olfactory mucosa, the utility of olfactory epithelial surface area as a comparative measurement, and the utility of the microsmatic concept. We examined the distribution of olfactory neuroepithelium (OE) across the anteroposterior length of the nasal fossa (from the first completely enclosed cross-section of the nasal fossa to the choanae) in the microsmatic marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) compared to four species of nocturnal strepsirrhines (Otolemur crassicaudatus, O. garnetti, Microcebus murinus, and Cheirogaleus medius). Adults of all species were examined and infant C. jacchus, O. crassicaudatus, M. murinus, and C. medius were also examined. All specimens were serially sectioned in the coronal plane and prepared for light microscopic study. Distribution of OE across all the turbinals, nasal septal surfaces, and accessory spaces of the nasal chamber was recorded for each specimen. The right nasal fossae of one adult C. jacchus and one neonatal M. murinus were also three-dimensionally reconstructed using Scion Image software to reveal OE distribution. Findings showed OE to be distributed relatively more anteriorly in adult C. jacchus compared to strepsirrhines. It was also distributed more anteriorly along the nasal septal walls and recesses in neonates than adults. Our findings also showed that OE surface area was not a reliable proxy for receptor neuron numbers due to differing OE thickness among species. Such results indicate that nasal cavity morphology must be carefully reconsidered regarding traditional functional roles (olfaction versus air conditioning) assigned to various nasal cavity structures. At present, the microsmatic concept itself lacks a basis in nasal chamber morphology, since OE may have varying patterns of distribution among different primates. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Neighbor effects in marmosets: social contagion of agonism and affiliation in captive Callithrix jacchusAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2010Claire F.I. Watson Abstract Researchers have demonstrated the neighbor effect for affiliative and agonistic neighbor vocalizations in captive chimpanzees. We extend the investigation of the neighbor effect to New World monkeys, Callithrix jacchus. We collected data on vocalizations and behaviors of 31 focal individuals and concurrent neighbor vocalization within three behavioral categories: intragroup and intergroup aggression and intragroup affiliation. We investigated whether there was an influence of neighbor vocalizations on focal behavior within the same behavioral category. For data analysis we used approximate randomization of paired-sample t -tests. We found that marmosets performed intergroup aggressive behavior (bristle, anogenital present for neighbor loud shrill only) for significantly longer, and emitted significantly more intergroup agonistic vocalizations (twitter, loud shrill), at a high frequency of intergroup agonistic neighbor vocalizations (twitter, loud shrill) than at low. The marmosets were also significantly more likely to engage in bristle behavior immediately after hearing a neighbor intergroup aggressive call (twitter, loud shrill) than directly beforehand. High neighbor intragroup agonistic calls (chatter) were associated with significantly longer spent in related behavior (composite of: attack, chase, steal food). Affiliative behaviors (share food, grooming invite) were engaged in by marmosets for significantly longer at higher frequencies of affiliative neighbor chirp calls than at low. Marmosets were also significantly more likely to perform food sharing and active affiliative contact immediately after rather than before hearing a neighbor chirp call. Our findings suggest that neighbor vocalizations influence marmoset behavior through social contagion and indicate that the neighbor effect for affiliation and aggression generalizes to the marmoset. Am. J. Primatol. 72:549,558, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Social dynamics and individual plasticity of infant care behavior in cooperatively breeding cotton-top tamarinsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Sofia Refetoff Zahed Abstract Individual variation in infant caretaking behavior is prevalent among marmoset and tamarin monkeys. Although most group members participate in infant care, the timing and amount provided differs greatly. In this study, we quantified general trends in infant carrying behavior by using a longitudinal database that included 11 years of instantaneous scan observations following 80 births of cotton-top tamarins. Using detailed focal observations on a subset of the same families (10 births) we identified influences that affected expression of infant care at the group and individual levels. Fathers were the primary carriers and paternal carry time gradually decreased with increasing infant age. Paternal carry time also decreased significantly with an increasing number of older sibling helpers. Most fathers began to carry on the first day postpartum. However, we report circumstances in which fathers delayed carrying until almost a month postpartum. Fathers retrieved infants the most, although adult brothers' rates of retrievals peaked and surpassed fathers' rates during week 4 postpartum. Fathers delayed rejection of infants until week 4, whereas mothers rejected infants immediately and throughout the eight weeks. Nonetheless, infants climbed onto their mothers more than onto any other family member. Mothers showed a high initial investment in carrying during the first two weeks, decreasing quickly thereafter. Maternal contributions to infant carrying remained low and relatively consistent regardless of group size. However, mothers dramatically increased their infant carrying behavior in families in which fathers were absent. Older siblings cared for infants more than did younger siblings, and brothers retrieved and carried infants more than did sisters. Individual expression of infant care changed to accommodate infant needs and changed according to varying social dynamics and circumstances across litters. Am. J. Primatol. 72:296,306, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Digestion in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a gummivore,frugivoreAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 12 2009Michael L. Power Abstract Wild common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) feed on fruits, insects, and gums, all of which provide different digestive challenges. Much of the ingested mass of fruits consists of seeds. In general, seeds represent indigestible bulk to marmosets and could inhibit feeding if they are not eliminated rapidly. In contrast, gums are ,-linked polysaccharides that require microbial fermentation. Their digestion would benefit from an extended residence time within the gut. Earlier research found that mean retention time (MRT) for a liquid digestive marker (cobalt EDTA) was significantly longer than MRT for a particulate marker (chromium-mordanted fiber), suggesting that common marmosets preferentially retain liquid digesta. We conducted two four-day-long digestion trials on 13 individually housed adult common marmosets fed a single-item, purified diet in order to examine the relations among MRT of cobalt EDTA and chromium-mordanted fiber, food dry matter intake (DMI), and apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM). We compared the MRT values with the data from the previous study mentioned above and a study using polystyrene beads. There were no significant correlations among MRT, ADDM, or DMI, although increases in DMI between trials were associated with decreases in MRT. ADDM was consistent within individuals between trials; but the mean values ranged from 75.0 to 83.4% among individuals. We found no difference in MRT between the liquid (17.5±1.6,hr) and particulate (17.9±1.4 hr) markers. Although these values were not significantly different than found previously, the MRT for chromium-mordanted fiber tended to be longer. This probably reflects the relatively small size of the chromium-mordanted fiber particles used in this study. An inverse relationship between particle size and MRT was evident; the mean MRT of polysterene beads, the largest marker, was only 8.3±1.5,hr. Marmosets appear to retain liquids and small particles within the gut longer than large particles. Am. J. Primatol. 71:957,963, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Placental insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) and its relation to litter size in the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 12 2009Julienne N. Rutherford Abstract The primate placenta produces a wide variety of hormones throughout gestation that regulate placental function and fetal growth. One such hormone is insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II), a peptide implicated in cell division, differentiation, and amino acid transport. IGF-II concentrations were measured in 23 common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) term placentas from twin and triplet litters in order to determine whether previously described differences in fetoplacental phenotype such as placental and litter mass and placental surface area were related to differences in endocrine function. IGF-II was extracted from frozen tissue samples and measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit designed for human tissue, which was validated for marmoset placenta. IGF-II concentrations were not related to placental or litter mass, and twin and triplet placentas did not differ in total concentration. However, per individual fetus, triplets were associated with a significant 42% reduction in IGF-II concentration (P=0.03), and IGF-II concentration per gram of fetal mass was a third lower in triplet litters. The triplet placenta exhibits a global expansion of the surface area which was contrasted by a per unit area reduction in IGF-II concentration (r=,0.75, P=0.01), a pattern that explains why twin and triplet placentas overall did not differ in concentration. Per fetus, triplet pregnancies are associated with relatively less maternal mass, placental mass and microscopic surface area suggesting that the intrauterine growth of triplets is supported by systems that increase the efficiency of nutrient transfer. The finding that individual triplet fetuses are also associated with significantly lower IGF-II concentrations is consistent with the view that the marmoset fetoplacental unit exhibits a flexible pattern of placental allocation and metabolism. Plasticity in placental endocrine and metabolic function is likely to play an important role in the ability of the fetus to sense and accommodate the intrauterine environment and, by extension, the external ecology. Am. J. Primatol. 71:969,975, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Development of microsatellite DNA markers and their chromosome assignment in the common marmosetAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 11 2009Hideki Katoh Abstract This study was performed to develop microsatellite DNA markers, which are useful for linkage analyses, gene mapping and blood chimera analyses in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). We searched 153 of 295 bacterial artificial clone DNA sequences of the common marmoset that were archived in the NCBI database in 2004. On the basis of the search, we designed 186 PCR primer sets. When tested using 5 unrelated individuals, we successfully detected 154 markers with PCR products, of which 80 (52%) were polymorphic and 74 (48%) were monomorphic. We assigned each of the 154 markers to a human chromosome based on BLAST searches, which was achieved by searching the entire human genome sequences using an ,3,kb section of each forward primer sequence, including ,1.5,kb of the upstream and ,1.5,kb of the downstream sequences. Combining our assignment data and the chromosome painting-assisted karyotype of the common marmoset [Sherlock et al., Genomics 33:214,219, 1996], we prepared a list of 154 microsatellite DNA markers that were assigned to human chromosomes, except for the Y chromosome, which is equivalent to a chromosome map. Using five microsatellite DNA markers, we have established a fragment analysis method with a sequencer, which can be routinely used for blood chimera analysis, parentage diagnosis and individual identification. Am. J. Primatol. 71:912,918, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Contact calls of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus): influence of age of caller on antiphonal calling and other vocal responsesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009H.-C. Chen Abstract Marmosets, as do many other primates, live in forest environments, are group living and constantly at risk of predation. Retaining contact with one another is therefore a matter of survival. We ask here whether their contact calls (phee and twitter vocalizations) are in some way ordered acoustically by sex or age and whether the calls of older marmosets elicit different responses than those of younger marmosets. In our study, marmosets (2,14 years) were visually isolated from conspecifics and the vocal responses to each isolated caller by other marmosets in the colony were recorded. Vocal responses to phee calls largely consisted of phee calls and, less commonly, twitter calls. No differences between the responses to calls by males and females were apparent. However, we found a strong positive and significant correlation between the caller's age and the percentage of its phee calls receiving a phee response, and a significant negative correlation between the caller's age and the percentage of its phee calls receiving a twitter response. The older the marmoset, the more antiphonal calling occurred. Two-syllable phee calls were emitted more often by older marmosets (10,14 years) than by younger ones (2,6 years). Hence, we have found age-dependent differences in phee-call production and a consistent change in the response received across the adult life-span. This age-dependent effect was independent of kinship relations. This is the first evidence that marmosets distinguish age by vocal parameters alone and make social decisions based on age. Am. J. Primatol. 71:165,170, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Distribution of the protein IMPACT, an inhibitor of GCN2, in the mouse, rat, and marmoset brainTHE JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY, Issue 5 2008Simone Bittencourt Abstract IMPACT is an inhibitor of GCN2, a kinase that phosphorylates the alpha subunit of the translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2,). GCN2 has been implicated in regulating feeding behavior and learning and memory in mice. IMPACT is highly abundant in the brain, suggesting its relevance in the control of GCN2 activation in the central nervous system. We describe here the distribution of IMPACT in the brain of rodents (mice and rats) and of a primate (marmoset) using highly specific antibodies raised against the mouse IMPACT protein. Neurons expressing high levels of IMPACT were found in most areas of the brain. In the hippocampal formation the lack of IMPACT in the dentate gyrus granule cells was striking. The hypothalamus is exceptionally rich in neurons expressing high levels of IMPACT, particularly in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The only exception to this pattern was the ventromedial nucleus. The thalamic neurons are mostly devoid of IMPACT, with the exception of the paraventricular, reuniens and reticular nuclei, and intergeniculate leaf. The brainstem displayed high levels of IMPACT. For the marmoset, IMPACT expression in the brain is not as prominent when compared to other organs. In the marmoset brain the pattern of IMPACT expression was similar to rodents in most areas, except for the very strong labeling of the Purkinje cells, the lack of IMPACT-positive neurons in the nucleus reuniens, and weak labeling of interneurons in the hippocampus. GCN1, the activator of GCN2 to which IMPACT binds, is widely distributed in all neuronal populations, and all IMPACT-positive cells were also GCN1-positive. The data presented herein suggest that IMPACT may be involved in biochemical homeostatic mechanisms that would prevent GCN2 activation and therefore ATF4 (CREB-2) synthesis in neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 507:1811,1830, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Polymorphic microsatellite loci for the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) designed using a cost- and time-efficient methodAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2008M. Raveendran Abstract We describe a cost- and time-efficient method for designing new microsatellite markers in any species with substantial genomic DNA sequence data available. Using this technique, we report 14 new polymorphic dinucleotide microsatellite loci isolated from the common marmoset. The relative yield of new polymorphisms was higher with less labor than described in previous marmoset studies. Of 20 loci initially evaluated, 14 were polymorphic and amplified reliably (70% success rate). The number of alleles ranged from 3 to 9 with heterozygosity varying from 0.48 to 0.83. Am. J. Primatol. 70:906,910, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Cross-genus adoption of a marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) by wild capuchin monkeys (Cebus libidinosus): case reportAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2006Patrícia Izar Abstract We report a case of interspecies adoption of an infant marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) by wild capuchin monkeys (Cebus libidinosus). The marmoset was an infant when it was first observed in the capuchin group on 3 March 2004. Since it first appeared it has been observed informally and frequently. In January 2005 systematic observations were made of the marmoset and a capuchin of similar age. Throughout its period of adoption the marmoset appeared to be socially integrated into the group, benefiting from nurturant behaviors exhibited by two successive adoptive "mothers" and pronounced tolerance from all members of the group. This case highlights the flexibility of both Callithrix and Cebus in accommodating variable social behaviors and other characteristics (including size) of social partners. Am. J. Primatol. 68:692,700, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Chromatic and spatial properties of parvocellular cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)THE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Esther M. Blessing The parvocellular (PC) division of the afferent visual pathway is considered to carry neuronal signals which underlie the red,green dimension of colour vision as well as high-resolution spatial vision. In order to understand the origin of these signals, and the way in which they are combined, the responses of PC cells in dichromatic (,red,green colour-blind') and trichromatic marmosets were compared. Visual stimuli included coloured and achromatic gratings, and spatially uniform red and green lights presented at varying temporal phases and frequencies. The sensitivity of PC cells to red,green chromatic modulation was found to depend primarily on the spectral separation between the medium- and long-wavelength-sensitive cone pigments (20 or 7 nm) in the two trichromatic marmoset phenotypes studied. The temporal frequency dependence of chromatic sensitivity was consistent with centre,surround interactions. Some evidence for chromatic selectivity was seen in peripheral PC cells. The receptive field dimensions of parvocellular cells were similar in dichromatic and trichromatic animals, but the achromatic contrast sensitivity of cells was slightly higher (by about 30%) in dichromats than in trichromats. These data support the hypothesis that the primary role of the PC is to transmit high-acuity spatial signals, with red,green opponent signals appearing as an additional response dimension in trichromatic animals. [source] Immunomodulatory activity of a methionine aminopeptidase-2 inhibitor on B cell differentiationCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2009R. C. Priest Summary Methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP-2) inhibitors have potent anti-angiogenesis activity and are being developed for the treatment of solid tumours. The recently observed specific expression of MetAP-2 in germinal centre B cells suggests that it has a role in regulating B cell function. We have demonstrated a potent MetAP-2-dependent inhibitory effect on the antibody secretion from B cell receptor and CD40 co-stimulated primary human B cells in the presence of interleukin-21. The effect of MetAP-2 inhibition on antibody secretion was due to a block in differentiation of B cells into plasma cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of germinal centres from human, mouse and marmoset spleen showed a similar expression pattern of MetAP-2 in the marmoset and man, whereas mouse spleen showed no detectable expression. In a marmoset, T dependent immunization model, the MetAP-2 inhibitor suppressed an antigen-specific antibody response. Furthermore, histological analysis showed loss of B cells in the spleen and disrupted germinal centre formation. These results provide experimental evidence to support a novel role for MetAP-2 in immunomodulation. These effects of MetAP-2 are mediated by disruption of the germinal centre reaction and a block in the differentiation of B cells into plasma cells. [source] Diurnal cycle in salivary cortisol levels in common marmosetsDEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2004Nicola Cross Abstract A noninvasive method of saliva sampling was used to assess the diurnal cortisol rhythm from 0900 to 1700 hr in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). The levels of cortisol were highest in the morning and declined significantly over the day. Individual marmosets varied in the magnitude of the cycle, and the greatest individual variability occurred in the morning levels. The decrease in cortisol levels was more rapid after than before the midday feeding period in subordinate marmosets (aged 53,63 months) compared to dominant marmosets (aged 79,80 months), and overall, the levels of cortisol were higher in the subordinate marmosets. We found no effect of sex on cortisol levels across the cycle. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 45: 134-139, 2004. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||