Group Differences in Mother-Infant Macaca fascicularis Behavior, Parasite Load, and Body Condition within an Anthropogenically Altered Forest

Author

Elizabeth M.C. Coggeshall, Central Washington UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2020

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Primate Behavior

Committee Chair

Jessica Mayhew

Second Committee Member

Lori Sheeran

Third Committee Member

Gabrielle Stryker

Abstract

This study aimed to establish preliminary health and behavioral data, as well as understand group variation for a large population of Macaca fascicularis individuals within an anthropogenically altered monkey forest. A parasitic analysis of 40 mother and infant individuals showed that M. fascicularis carried 13 different parasitic taxa, and that there was parasitic variation between groups. Body condition scores were determined using a newly created and adapted body condition scale from 146 sampled mother macaques. Body condition scores were significantly different between groups, specifically the pond group when compared to the three other groups. Mother-infant behavioral differences were seen between every group of macaques. Health and behavioral variations are likely influenced by the high population density, contaminated food and water sources, human activity, or unquantifiable variables such as age and rank.

Recommended Citation

Coggeshall, Elizabeth M.C., "Group Differences in Mother-Infant Macaca fascicularis Behavior, Parasite Load, and Body Condition within an Anthropogenically Altered Forest" (2020). All Master's Theses. 1370.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/etd/1370