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Oztan O, Del Rosso LA, Simmons SM, Nguyen DKK, Talbot CF, Capitanio JP, Garner JP, Parker KJ. Naturally occurring low sociality in female rhesus monkeys: A tractable model for autism or not? Mol Autism 2024; 15:8. [PMID: 38291493 PMCID: PMC10829375 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-024-00588-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent social interaction impairments and is male-biased in prevalence. We have established naturally occurring low sociality in male rhesus monkeys as a model for the social features of ASD. Low-social male monkeys exhibit reduced social interactions and increased autistic-like trait burden, with both measures highly correlated and strongly linked to low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentration. Little is known, however, about the behavioral and neurochemical profiles of female rhesus monkeys, and whether low sociality in females is a tractable model for ASD. METHODS Social behavior assessments (ethological observations; a reverse-translated autistic trait measurement scale, the macaque Social Responsiveness Scale-Revised [mSRS-R]) were completed on N = 88 outdoor-housed female rhesus monkeys during the non-breeding season. CSF and blood samples were collected from a subset of N = 16 monkeys across the frequency distribution of non-social behavior, and AVP and oxytocin (OXT) concentrations were quantified. Data were analyzed using general linear models. RESULTS Non-social behavior frequency and mSRS-R scores were continuously distributed across the general female monkey population, as previously found for male monkeys. However, dominance rank significantly predicted mSRS-R scores in females, with higher-ranking individuals showing fewer autistic-like traits, a relationship not previously observed in males from this colony. Females differed from males in several other respects: Social behavior frequencies were unrelated to mSRS-R scores, and AVP concentration was unrelated to any social behavior measure. Blood and CSF concentrations of AVP were positively correlated in females; no significant relationship involving any OXT measure was found. LIMITATIONS This study sample was small, and did not consider genetic, environmental, or other neurochemical measures that may be related to female mSRS-R scores. CONCLUSIONS Dominance rank is the most significant predictor of autistic-like traits in female rhesus monkeys, and CSF neuropeptide concentrations are unrelated to measures of female social functioning (in contrast to prior CSF AVP findings in male rhesus monkeys and male and female autistic children). Although preliminary, this evidence suggests that the strong matrilineal organization of this species may limit the usefulness of low sociality in female rhesus monkeys as a tractable model for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Oztan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 1201 Welch Rd., MSLS P-104, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Laura A Del Rosso
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Sierra M Simmons
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Duyen K K Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 1201 Welch Rd., MSLS P-104, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Catherine F Talbot
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- School of Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne, FL, 32901, USA
| | - John P Capitanio
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of California, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, 95616, USA
| | - Joseph P Garner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 1201 Welch Rd., MSLS P-104, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Dr., Edwards R348, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Karen J Parker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 1201 Welch Rd., MSLS P-104, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Dr., Edwards R348, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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Granat FA, Trumel C, Braun JPD, Bourgès-Abella NH. Quality of hematology and clinical chemistry results in laboratory and zoo nonhuman primates: Effects of the preanalytical phase. A review. J Med Primatol 2023; 52:414-427. [PMID: 37612808 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Most errors in clinical pathology originate in the preanalytical phase, which includes all steps from the preparation of animals and equipment to the collection of the specimen and its management until analyzed. Blood is the most common specimen collected in nonhuman primates. Other specimens collected include urine, saliva, feces, and hair. The primary concern is the variability of blood hematology and biochemistry results due to sampling conditions with the effects of capture, restraint, and/or anesthesia. Housing and diet have fewer effects, with the exception of food restriction to reduce obesity. There has been less investigation regarding the impact of sampling conditions of nonblood specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny A Granat
- Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Université de Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS U5077, Toulouse, France
- Laboratoire central de biologie médicale, ENVT, Toulouse, France
| | - Catherine Trumel
- Laboratoire central de biologie médicale, ENVT, Toulouse, France
- CREFRE, Université de Toulouse, Inserm, ENVT, UPS, Toulouse, France
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López-Segoviano G, Arenas-Navarro M, Nuñez-Rosas LE, Arizmendi MDC. Implications of dominance hierarchy on hummingbird-plant interactions in a temperate forest in Northwestern Mexico. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16245. [PMID: 37868051 PMCID: PMC10588686 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The structuring of plant-hummingbird networks can be explained by multiple factors, including species abundance (i.e., the neutrality hypothesis), matching of bill and flower morphology, phenological overlap, phylogenetic constraints, and feeding behavior. The importance of complementary morphology and phenological overlap on the hummingbird-plant network has been extensively studied, while the importance of hummingbird behavior has received less attention. In this work, we evaluated the relative importance of species abundance, morphological matching, and floral energy content in predicting the frequency of hummingbird-plant interactions. Then, we determined whether the hummingbird species' dominance hierarchy is associated with modules within the network. Moreover, we evaluated whether hummingbird specialization (d') is related to bill morphology (bill length and curvature) and dominance hierarchy. Finally, we determined whether generalist core hummingbird species are lees dominant in the community. We recorded plant-hummingbird interactions and behavioral dominance of hummingbird species in a temperate forest in Northwestern Mexico (El Palmito, Mexico). We measured flowers' corolla length and nectar traits and hummingbirds' weight and bill traits. We recorded 2,272 interactions among 13 hummingbird and 10 plant species. The main driver of plant-hummingbird interactions was species abundance, consistent with the neutrality interaction theory. Hummingbird specialization was related to dominance and bill length, but not to bill curvature of hummingbird species. However, generalist core hummingbird species (species that interact with many plant species) were less dominant. The frequency of interactions between hummingbirds and plants was determined by the abundance of hummingbirds and their flowers, and the dominance of hummingbird species determined the separation of the different modules and specialization. Our study suggests that abundance and feeding behavior may play an important role in North America's hummingbird-plant networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel López-Segoviano
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores (ENES), Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, México
| | - Maribel Arenas-Navarro
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad (IIES), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Laura E. Nuñez-Rosas
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - María del Coro Arizmendi
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, Mexico
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Garner JP, Talbot CF, Del Rosso LA, McCowan B, Kanthaswamy S, Haig D, Capitanio JP, Parker KJ. Rhesus macaque social functioning is paternally, but not maternally, inherited by sons: potential implications for autism. Mol Autism 2023; 14:25. [PMID: 37480043 PMCID: PMC10360241 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00556-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quantitative autistic traits are common, heritable, and continuously distributed across the general human population. Patterns of autistic traits within families suggest that more complex mechanisms than simple Mendelian inheritance-in particular, parent of origin effects-may be involved. The ideal strategy for ascertaining parent of origin effects is by half-sibling analysis, where half-siblings share one, but not both, parents and each individual belongs to a unique combination of paternal and maternal half-siblings. While this family structure is rare in humans, many of our primate relatives, including rhesus macaques, have promiscuous breeding systems that consistently produce paternal and maternal half-siblings for a given index animal. Rhesus macaques, like humans, also exhibit pronounced variation in social functioning. METHODS Here we assessed differential paternal versus maternal inheritance of social functioning in male rhesus macaque offspring (N = 407) using ethological observations and ratings on a reverse-translated quantitative autistic trait measurement scale. Restricted Maximum Likelihood mixed models with unbounded variance estimates were used to estimate the variance components needed to calculate the genetic contribution of parents as the proportion of phenotypic variance (σ2P) between sons that could uniquely be attributed to their shared genetics (σ2g), expressed as σ2g/σ2P (or the proportion of phenotypic variance attributable to genetic variance), as well as narrow sense heritability (h2). RESULTS Genetic contributions and heritability estimates were strong and highly significant for sons who shared a father but weak and non-significant for sons who shared a mother. Importantly, these findings were detected using the same scores from the same sons in the same analysis, confirmed when paternal and maternal half-siblings were analyzed separately, and observed with two methodologically distinct behavioral measures. Finally, genetic contributions were similar for full-siblings versus half-siblings that shared only a father, further supporting a selective paternal inheritance effect. LIMITATIONS These data are correlational by nature. A larger sample that includes female subjects, enables deeper pedigree assessments, and supports molecular genetic analyses is warranted. CONCLUSIONS Rhesus macaque social functioning may be paternally, but not maternally, inherited by sons. With continued investigation, this approach may yield important insights into sex differences in autism's genetic liability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P. Garner
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Edwards R348, Stanford, CA 94305-5342 USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 1201 Welch Road, MSLS, P-104, Stanford, CA 94305-5485 USA
| | - Catherine F. Talbot
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616 USA
- Department of Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901 USA
| | - Laura A. Del Rosso
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Brenda McCowan
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616 USA
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 4205 VM3B, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Sreetharan Kanthaswamy
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616 USA
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University West Campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale, AZ 85306 USA
| | - David Haig
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - John P. Capitanio
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616 USA
- Department of Psychology, University of California, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Karen J. Parker
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Edwards R348, Stanford, CA 94305-5342 USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 1201 Welch Road, MSLS, P-104, Stanford, CA 94305-5485 USA
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616 USA
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McCowan B, Vandeleest J, Balasubramaniam K, Hsieh F, Nathman A, Beisner B. Measuring dominance certainty and assessing its impact on individual and societal health in a nonhuman primate model: a network approach. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20200438. [PMID: 35000448 PMCID: PMC8743881 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The notion of dominance is ubiquitous across the animal kingdom, wherein some species/groups such relationships are strictly hierarchical and others are not. Modern approaches for measuring dominance have emerged in recent years taking advantage of increased computational power. One such technique, named Percolation and Conductance (Perc), uses both direct and indirect information about the flow of dominance relationships to generate hierarchical rank order that makes no assumptions about the linearity of these relationships. It also provides a new metric, known as 'dominance certainty', which is a complimentary measure to dominance rank that assesses the degree of ambiguity of rank relationships at the individual, dyadic and group levels. In this focused review, we will (i) describe how Perc measures dominance rank while accounting for both nonlinear hierarchical structure as well as sparsity in data-here we also provide a metric of dominance certainty estimated by Perc, which can be used to compliment the information dominance rank supplies; (ii) summarize a series of studies by our research team reflecting the importance of 'dominance certainty' on individual and societal health in large captive rhesus macaque breeding groups; and (iii) provide some concluding remarks and suggestions for future directions for dominance hierarchy research. This article is part of the theme issue 'The centennial of the pecking order: current state and future prospects for the study of dominance hierarchies'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda McCowan
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jessica Vandeleest
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Krishna Balasubramaniam
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Fushing Hsieh
- Department of Statistics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Amy Nathman
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Brianne Beisner
- Colony Management Department, Yerkes National Primate Research Center Field Station, Lawrenceville, GA, USA
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6
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Sadoughi B, Lacroix L, Berbesque C, Meunier H, Lehmann J. Effects of social tolerance on stress: hair cortisol concentrations in the tolerant Tonkean macaques ( Macaca tonkeana) and the despotic long-tailed macaques ( Macaca fascicularis). Stress 2021; 24:1033-1041. [PMID: 34756152 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2021.1998443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Group living is a source of stress and an individuals' social environment has been shown to have a significant effect on its health and well-being. However, little is known about how different social organizations affect the stress levels of their members. Is living in a hierarchical society more or less stressful than living in a more tolerant structure? Here, we assess cortisol concentrations in the hair of two macaque species with radically different dominance styles: the egalitarian Tonkean macaque (Macaca Tonkeana) and the despotic long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Hair was sampled in winter and again in late spring in two mixed-sex groups of 22 Tonkean macaques and 9 long-tailed macaques; Hair cortisol concentrations were significantly higher in the egalitarian Tonkean macaques than in the despotic long-tailed macaques, ranging from 161.13 to 938.8 pg/mg (mean ± SD 349.67 ± 126.22) and from 134.46 to 339.86 pg/mg (mean ± SD 231.2 ± 44.24), respectively. There was no difference between male and female cortisol concentrations, but hair cortisol increased with age in males. Dominance rank certainty was lower among female Tonkean macaques compared to long-tailed macaques. Our results suggest that species differences in dominance styles may translate into differences in long-term cortisol concentrations. We suggest that the higher cortisol concentrations in Tonkean macaques could be linked to the instability and lack of predictability and control around social relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Sadoughi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, UK
- Oniris - Nantes Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, Nantes, France
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, Primate Centre of Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
- Centre de Primatologie de l'Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Department of Behavioral Ecology, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology & Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Laurent Lacroix
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, UK
| | | | - Hélène Meunier
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, Primate Centre of Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
- Centre de Primatologie de l'Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Julia Lehmann
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, UK
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7
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Oztan O, Talbot CF, Argilli E, Maness AC, Simmons SM, Mohsin N, Del Rosso LA, Garner JP, Sherr EH, Capitanio JP, Parker KJ. Autism-associated biomarkers: test-retest reliability and relationship to quantitative social trait variation in rhesus monkeys. Mol Autism 2021; 12:50. [PMID: 34238350 PMCID: PMC8268173 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-021-00442-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) exhibit pronounced individual differences in social traits as measured by the macaque Social Responsiveness Scale-Revised. The macaque Social Responsiveness Scale was previously adapted from the Social Responsiveness Scale, an instrument designed to assess social and autistic trait variation in humans. To better understand potential biological underpinnings of this behavioral variation, we evaluated the trait-like consistency of several biological measures previously implicated in autism (e.g., arginine vasopressin, oxytocin, and their receptors, as well as ERK1/2, PTEN, and AKT(1–3) from the RAS-MAPK and PI3K-AKT pathways). We also tested which biological measures predicted macaque Social Responsiveness Scale-Revised scores. Methods Cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples were collected from N = 76 male monkeys, which, as a sample, showed a continuous distribution on the macaque Social Responsiveness Scale-Revised. In a subset of these subjects (n = 43), samples were collected thrice over a 10-month period. The following statistical tests were used: “Case 2A” intra-class correlation coefficients of consistency, principal component analysis, and general linear modeling. Results All biological measures (except AKT) showed significant test–retest reliability within individuals across time points. We next performed principal component analysis on data from monkeys with complete biological measurement sets at the first time point (n = 57), to explore potential correlations between the reliable biological measures and their relationship to macaque Social Responsiveness Scale-Revised score; a three-component solution was found. Follow-up analyses revealed that cerebrospinal fluid arginine vasopressin concentration, but no other biological measure, robustly predicted individual differences in macaque Social Responsiveness Scale-Revised scores, such that monkeys with the lowest cerebrospinal fluid arginine vasopressin concentration exhibited the greatest social impairment. Finally, we confirmed that this result held in the larger study sample (in which cerebrospinal fluid arginine vasopressin values were available from n = 75 of the subjects). Conclusions These findings indicate that cerebrospinal fluid arginine vasopressin concentration is a stable trait-like measure and that it is linked to quantitative social trait variation in male rhesus monkeys. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13229-021-00442-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Oztan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 1201 Welch Rd., MSLS P-104, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Catherine F Talbot
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Emanuela Argilli
- Department of Neurology, University of California, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Alyssa C Maness
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Sierra M Simmons
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Noreen Mohsin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 1201 Welch Rd., MSLS P-104, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Laura A Del Rosso
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Joseph P Garner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 1201 Welch Rd., MSLS P-104, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Dr., Edwards R348, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Elliott H Sherr
- Department of Neurology, University of California, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - John P Capitanio
- California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of California, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, 95616, USA
| | - Karen J Parker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 1201 Welch Rd., MSLS P-104, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. .,California National Primate Research Center, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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8
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Myers AK, Talbot CF, Del Rosso LA, Maness AC, Simmons SMV, Garner JP, Capitanio JP, Parker KJ. Assessment of medical morbidities in a rhesus monkey model of naturally occurring low sociality. Autism Res 2021; 14:1332-1346. [PMID: 33847078 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit a variety of medical morbidities at significantly higher rates than the general population. Using an established monkey model of naturally occurring low sociality, we investigated whether low-social monkeys show an increased burden of medical morbidities compared to their high-social counterparts. We systematically reviewed the medical records of N = 152 (n = 73 low-social; n = 79 high-social) rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) to assess the number of traumatic injury, gastrointestinal, and inflammatory events, as well as the presence of rare medical conditions. Subjects' nonsocial scores, determined by the frequency they were observed in a nonsocial state (i.e., alone), and macaque Social Responsiveness Scale-Revised (mSRS-R) scores were also used to test whether individual differences in social functioning were related to medical morbidity burden. Medical morbidity type significantly differed by group, such that low-social monkeys incurred higher rates of traumatic injury compared to high-social monkeys. Nonsocial scores and mSRS-R scores also significantly and positively predicted traumatic injury rates, indicating that monkeys with the greatest social impairment were most impacted on this health measure. These findings from low-social monkeys are consistent with well-documented evidence that people with ASD incur a greater number of traumatic injuries and receive more peer bullying than their neurotypical peers, and add to growing evidence for the face validity of this primate model. LAY SUMMARY: People with autism exhibit multiple medical problems at higher rates than the general population. We conducted a comprehensive medical record review of monkeys that naturally exhibit differences in sociality and found that low-social monkeys are more susceptible to traumatic injuries than high-social monkeys. These results are consistent with reports that people with autism also incur greater traumatic injury and peer bullying and add to growing evidence for the validity of this monkey model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam K Myers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Catherine F Talbot
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Laura A Del Rosso
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Alyssa C Maness
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Sierra M V Simmons
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Joseph P Garner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - John P Capitanio
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Karen J Parker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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9
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Talbot CF, Maness AC, Capitanio JP, Parker KJ. The factor structure of the macaque social responsiveness scale-revised predicts social behavior and personality dimensions. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23234. [PMID: 33529400 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Most primate species are highly social. Yet, within species, pronounced individual differences in social functioning are evident. In humans, the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) measures variation in social functioning. The SRS provides a quantitative measure of social functioning in natural social settings and can be used as a screening tool for autistic traits. The SRS was previously adapted for use in chimpanzees and recently refined for rhesus macaques, resulting in the macaque Social Responsiveness Scale-Revised (mSRS-R). Here, we performed an exploratory factor analysis on the mSRS-R in a large sample of male rhesus macaques (N = 233). We investigated the relationships of the resulting mSRS-R factors to quantitative social behavior (alone, proximity, contact, groom, and play) and to previously-established personality dimensions (Sociability, Confidence, Irritability, and Equability). Factor analysis yielded three mSRS-R factors: Poor Social Motivation, Poor Social Attractiveness, and Inappropriate Behavior. mSRS-R factors mapped closely to social behavior and personality dimensions in rhesus macaques, providing support for this instrument's convergent and discriminant validity. Animals with higher Poor Social Motivation were more likely to be observed alone and less likely to be observed in contact and grooming with conspecifics. Animals with higher Poor Social Attractiveness were less likely to be observed playing but more likely to be observed grooming with conspecifics. Inappropriate Behavior did not predict any behavioral measure. Finally, animals with higher Poor Social Motivation and higher Poor Social Attractiveness had less sociable personalities, whereas animals with more Inappropriate Behavior were more confident and more irritable. These findings suggest that the mSRS-R is a promising, psychometrically robust tool that can be deployed to better understand the psychological factors contributing to individual differences in macaque social functioning and, with relevant species-specific modification, the SRS may hold promise for investigating variation in social functioning across diverse primate taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine F Talbot
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Alyssa C Maness
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - John P Capitanio
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Karen J Parker
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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Lutz CK, Meyer JS, Novak MA. Hair cortisol in captive corral-housed baboons. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 302:113692. [PMID: 33301757 PMCID: PMC8098999 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs) are measures of long-term hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) activity and can be used as indicators of chronic stress. However, intrinsic factors such as an animal's age and sex can also have an impact on resulting HCCs. Although baboons are commonly studied in captivity, little is known about baseline HCC in this population. Here we measured HCC in two same-sex groups of captive olive (Papio hamadryas anubis) baboons and olive/yellow baboon (Papio hamadryas cynocephalus) crosses housed in large outdoor corrals, and we assessed the impact of age and sex on HCC as major variables of interest. Hair was gently shaved from the back of the neck when the animals were sedated for routine physicals. Subjects were divided into three age categories: juvenile (2-4 years), adult (9-12 years), and senior (13-19 years). The "senior" category contained only males. Results confirm an effect of sex and age on HCCs. Females had higher levels of hair cortisol than males, and juveniles had higher levels than adults. There was also a significant sex × age interaction. There were no sex differences in HCCs in juveniles, but there was a greater decline in HCCs in adult males than in adult females. Within males, there was a significant difference in levels of hair cortisol across the three age categories. Juveniles had higher levels than did adults and seniors, but adults and seniors were not significantly different from one another. These results provide baseline measures of hair cortisol in captive baboons and demonstrate effects of sex and age on HCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrine K Lutz
- Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, 8715 W. Military Drive, San Antonio, TX 78227, United States.
| | - Jerrold S Meyer
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States
| | - Melinda A Novak
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States
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Talbot CF, Garner JP, Maness AC, McCowan B, Capitanio JP, Parker KJ. A Psychometrically Robust Screening Tool To Rapidly Identify Socially Impaired Monkeys In The General Population. Autism Res 2020; 13:1465-1475. [PMID: 32677285 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Naturally low-social rhesus macaques exhibit social impairments with direct relevance to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To more efficiently identify low-social individuals in a large colony, we exploited, refined, and psychometrically assessed the macaque Social Responsiveness Scale (mSRS), an instrument previously derived from the human ASD screening tool. We performed quantitative social behavior assessments and mSRS ratings on a total of N = 349 rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) housed in large, outdoor corrals. In one cohort (N = 116), we conducted inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities, and in a second cohort (N = 233), we evaluated the convergent construct and predictive validity of the mSRS-Revised (mSRS-R). Only 17 of the original 36 items demonstrated inter-rater and test-retest reliability, resulting in the 17-item mSRS-R. The mSRS-R showed strong validity: mSRS-R scores robustly predicted monkeys' social behavior frequencies in home corrals. Monkeys that scored 1.5 standard deviations from the mean on nonsocial behavior likewise exhibited significantly more autistic-like traits, and mSRS-R scores predicted individuals' social classification (low-social vs. high-social) with 96% accuracy (likelihood ratio chi-square = 25.07; P < 0.0001). These findings indicate that the mSRS-R is a reliable, valid, and sensitive measure of social functioning, and like the human SRS, can be used as a high-throughput screening tool to identify socially impaired individuals in the general population. LAY SUMMARY: Variation in autistic traits can be measured in humans using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Here, we revised this scale for rhesus macaques (i.e., the mSRS-R), and showed that macaques exhibit individual differences in mSRS-R scores, and at the behavioral extremes, low-social vs. high-social monkeys exhibit more autistic-like traits. These results suggest that the mSRS-R can be used as a screening tool to rapidly and accurately identify low-social monkeys in the general population. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1465-1475. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine F Talbot
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Joseph P Garner
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Alyssa C Maness
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Brenda McCowan
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - John P Capitanio
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Karen J Parker
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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12
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Wooddell LJ, Beisner B, Hannibal DL, Nathman AC, McCowan B. Increased produce enrichment reduces trauma in socially-housed captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Am J Primatol 2019; 81:e23073. [PMID: 31778253 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Due to primate adaptations for sociality, captive rhesus macaques have optimal welfare and utility as a biomedical model when they can be maintained in outdoor social groups. As a despotic species; however, aggression can result in costly injuries and may result in temporary or permanent removal of specific individuals from social housing. Enrichment items, such as toys, climbing structures, and foraging material, are employed to keep captive animals occupied. We hypothesized that produce enrichment that requires more processing to extract may reduce socially-derived injuries by keeping animals occupied. We tested the effects of additional weekly produce (corn-in-husk, whole melon, or whole squash) on trauma incidence in an outdoor social group of rhesus macaques across two distinct seasons (mating and birthing seasons) at the California National Primate Research Center. Aggression and status behavioral data, food resource use and proximity, and trauma incidence were collected over two 16-week periods, with eight control and treatment conditions alternating biweekly. Mixed-effects regression modeling was used to determine the best predictors of trauma risk and severe aggression at the group level and at an individual level. We found that food resource use was an important predictor of trauma risk at both group and individual levels; greater use of food resources reduced trauma risk. Produce enrichment did not; however, reduce severe aggression. We suggest that other captive social groups of rhesus macaques with high levels of trauma may benefit from supplemental produce enrichment that increases animal engagement with food resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J Wooddell
- Neuroscience and Behavior Unit, California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Brianne Beisner
- Neuroscience and Behavior Unit, California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California.,Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Darcy L Hannibal
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Amy C Nathman
- Neuroscience and Behavior Unit, California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Brenda McCowan
- Neuroscience and Behavior Unit, California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California.,Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California
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