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

A comparative study of the ability to form a skill, the dynamics of its formation, and repeatability in sexually mature male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) was carried out. It was found that male hamadryas baboons of the study group demonstrate higher learning ability, training level, and repeatability of the formed skill compared to the studied male rhesus monkeys. At the same time, animals of both species demonstrated similar dynamics of skill formation.

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

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

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

We studied exploratory activity and learning ability in sexually mature male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas). The interspecies differences were analyzed by the following parameters: the level of exploratory activity, diversity of exploratory activity, concentration on the object, learning ability, training levels, and dynamics of learning. The studied group of hamadryas baboons showed higher levels of exploratory activity and learning ability than the group of rhesus monkeys.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We studied the correlation between the rank and age of baboons (n=12) with their cognitive abilities. A positive correlation was found between performances of different tests by male. The ability to solve the tests related to bait placement depended on the age of the males and age-related hierarchical status. Four-year-old males performed these tests in 52% of cases, whereas five-year-old males, who reached a higher hierarchical status by this age solved with them in 93% of cases. In the tests for exploratory activity and the ability to learn skills, the differences between the four-year-olds and the five-year-old males are not received.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The causes of intragroup aggression in rhesus macaques.

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

Aggression and the composition of conflicting pairs in green monkeys.

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

Studies of reconciliation in anubis baboons.

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

Cardiovascular responses in anticipation of changes in posture and locomotion.

Measurements were made in 29 adult baboons that were housed in social groups, allowing the occurrence of the full range of species-specific behavioral interactions. The cardiovascular variables measured included blood pressure, heart rate, renal blood flow, lower limb blood flow, and occasionally mesenteric blood flow. The data were telemetered from backpacks worn by the animals and were recorded in analogue form on a polygraph, digitally on a computer and were also recorded on the audio channels of videotape being made of the behavior and social interactions of the baboons. The video and the computer recordings were synchronized by a timing system that made it possible to relate the cardiovascular responses to the behavioral responses. A numerically based behavioral code was developed that allowed the categorization of the totality of the behavior, including postural and locomotor changes. Comparisons between baseline cardiovascular values and those occurring 1 s before the initiation of a movement or posture change gave no evidence of anticipatory cardiovascular responses unless the movement was associated with behavior that included emotional content. Hypothalamic perifornical lesions reduced or eliminated these anticipatory changes.

Integrating behavior and cardiovascular responses: posture and locomotion. I. Static analysis.

Heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and renal and mesenteric or femoral blood flow were telemetered from 11 Papio hamadryas in an untethered free-ranging situation. The animals' behavior was recorded on videotape, and the cardiovascular (CV) data were recorded on the audio channels of the tape. The behavior was coded, and the codes were linked to the CV data via a time-code generator and computer control. The CV data were digitized into 1-s intervals, and the static relations between CV measures and the postures/locomotions (P/Ls) associated with the behavior were analyzed. The total frequency distributions for heart rate, blood pressure, and renal conductance approximated Gaussian distributions, whereas femoral conductance was positively skewed. The distribution for renal conductance suggested that during normal waking conditions the kidney is not maximally dilated and may increase or decrease its blood flow. All distributions were highly influenced by the Sit category, which occupied 80% of the total time. The CV measures for all P/Ls had wide ranges, and the CV values associated with each P/L overlapped those for the other P/Ls. The heart rate and renal conductance associated with the various P/Ls showed the largest deviations from the grand means and therefore contributed the most to the ability to discriminate one P/L from another. Blood pressure varied little from one P/L to another. The patterns of CV variables served to distinguish particular P/Ls very effectively. The frequency distributions were separated best when they were parceled on the basis of the intensity of behavior associated with a particular P/L. These variations in intensity were the major cause of the overlaps in the frequency distributions associated with P/Ls.

Integrating behavior and cardiovascular responses: the code.

The next revolution in biology is predicted to be in the integrative domain, and the need to involve physiologists in this kind of research has been recognized. This paper represents an approach to providing some of the tools required for dealing with integrative physiology at the behavioral level. Video tape recordings are made of the activities of a group of five baboons (Papio hamadryas) while simultaneous recordings of arterial blood pressure, heart rate, renal blood flow, and mesenteric or iliac blood flow are telemetered from two of the members of the group. The telemetered cardiovascular information is recorded on the two audio channels of the videotape. Subsequently the videotape is viewed, and a two-dimensional code is used to record the behavior of the two animals with the telemetry equipment. The first dimension of the code categorizes the behavior changes precisely regarding those aspects of behavior that are related to cardiovascular dynamics and does so with an accuracy of 16 ms. The second dimension codes relevant environmental changes. The paper describes the code and presents illustrations of how the code reflects the cardiovascular dynamics associated with the behavioral changes.