Rearing condition may alter neonatal development of captive Bolivian squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis).

Nursery rearing has well-known consequences for primate species. Relative to some other primate species, research has indicated a reduced impact of nursery rearing on squirrel monkeys, particularly in terms of rates, severity, and persistence of abnormal behavior. We administered the Primate Neonatal Neurobehavioral Assessment to 29 dam-reared and 13 nursery-reared squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis) at 2 and 6 weeks of age. Mixed-model ANOVAs comparing composite scores and individual assessment items across age, rearing status, and sex revealed a number of developmental differences. Dam-reared infants scored higher on all four composite measures compared to nursery-reared infants (p < .05) indicating that nursery-reared animals had slower motor development, were less active and attentive, and were more passive than their dam-reared counterparts. Consistent with infant rhesus macaques, nursery-reared squirrel monkeys showed an increased sensitivity to tactile stimulation (p < .05). Altogether, these results suggest a disruption of species-typical development when squirrel monkey infants are reared in a nursery setting, with activity, orientation, and state control areas most affected, though experimental research is needed to determine if this is a causal relationship. Contrary to previous behavioral research, there are likely developmental differences between dam-reared infant squirrel monkeys and those reared in a nursery setting.

Neonatal activity and state control differences among three squirrel monkey subspecies (Saimiri sciureus sciureus, S. boliviensis boliviensis, and S. boliviensis peruviensis).

Squirrel monkeys are a long-standing biomedical model, with multiple species and subspecies housed in research facilities. Few studies have examined the developmental differences between these subspecies, which may affect research outcomes. The primate neonatal neurobehavioral assessment was completed at 2 weeks of age with 279 dam-reared squirrel monkeys (188 Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis, 45 S. b. peruviensis, and 46 Saimiri. sciureus sciureus). Activity, orientation to stimuli, state control, and motor maturity scores, as well as startle responses and number of vocalizations were compared across subspecies and sex using factorial analysis of covariance (ANCOVAs) controlling for birthweight. There were no differences in orientation or motor maturity scores (p > .05) among the three subspecies or between sexes; however, there were significant subspecies differences in motor activity and state control scores. Of the three subspecies, S. s. sciureus has the lowest state control and activity scores (p < .05). They also had the most exaggerated startle response/aversion to a sudden loud noise, vocalized significantly less, and were less likely to resist restraint during the assessment (p < .05). The three subspecies of squirrel monkeys did not differ in motor development and attention to external stimuli but were significantly different in state control and activity levels. Overall S. s. sciureus were less active, agitated, irritable, and easier to console compared to S. b. boliviensis and S. b. peruviensis. This supports field research on socioecology which documented different social structure and behavior in wild populations of S. s. sciureus compared to S. b. boliviensis and S. b. peruviensis.

Ontogeny of limb force distribution in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis): insights into the mechanical bases of primate hind limb dominance.

The distribution of peak vertical forces between the forelimbs and the hind limbs is one of the key traits distinguishing primate quadrupedal locomotion from that of other mammals. Whereas most mammals generate greater peak vertical forelimb forces, primates generate greater peak vertical hind limb forces. At the ultimate level, hind limb dominance in limb force distribution is typically interpreted as an adaptation to facilitate fine-branch arboreality. However, the proximate biomechanical bases for primate limb force distribution remain controversial. Three models have been previously proposed. The Center of Mass (COM) Position model attributes primates' unique mode of limb loading to differences in the position of the whole-body COM relative to the hands and feet. The Active Weight Shift model asserts that primates actively redistribute body weight to their hind limbs by pitching the trunk up via the activation of hind limb retractor muscles. Finally, the Limb Compliance model argues that primates selectively mitigate forelimb forces by maintaining a compliant forelimb and a flat shoulder trajectory. Here, a detailed dataset of ontogenetic changes in morphology and locomotor mechanics in Bolivian squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis) was employed as a model system to evaluate each of these proposed models in turn. Over the first 10 months of life, squirrel monkeys transitioned from forelimb dominant infants to hind limb dominant juveniles, a change that was precipitated by decreases in peak vertical forelimb forces and increases in peak vertical hind limb forces. Results provided some support for all three of the models, although the COM Position and Active Weight Shift models were most strongly supported by the data. Overall, this study suggests that primates may use a variety of biomechanical strategies to achieve hind limb dominance in limb force distribution.

Integration of field and captive studies for understanding the behavioral ecology of the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sp.).

Captive and field studies both provide valuable and complementary information that lead to a better understanding of a species' behavioral ecology. Here, we review studies from wild, captive, and semi-free ranging populations of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sp.), in order to (a) provide a more current (1985-2010) review of Saimiri behavioral ecology and (b) illustrate that integrating data collected in a variety of settings is an effective approach to addressing ecological questions in primates. Captive environments, such as zoological facilities and research colonies, can be advantageous to researchers by allowing longitudinal studies of behavior and reproduction, as well as providing opportunities for gathering data on life history, because physiological and life history data are known for individual animals. Studies of field populations can provide contextual information regarding the adaptive nature of behaviors that are studied in captivity. Squirrel monkeys are small, neotropical primates that have extensively been used in captive research. As the last in-depth review of Saimiri biology was published in 1985 [Rosenblum & Coe, The squirrel monkey. New York: Academic Press], we review studies since conducted on Saimiri ecology, life history, social behavior, reproduction, and conservation. Our review indicates that there is much variation in socioecology and life history traits between Saimiri species and, surprisingly, also between populations of the same species studied at different locales. In addition, much is known about squirrel monkey reproductive physiology, basic ecology, and vocal communication, but data are still lacking in the fields of life history and some adaptive components and social behavior. In particular, longitudinal studies in the field would be particularly relevant for a genus with a slow life history such as Saimiri. Finally, few data (captive or wild) are available on S. ustus and S. vanzolinii, though at least one of these species is threatened.

Irregular xenoantibodies against human red blood cells in Papio anubis, P ursinus, P hamadryas, P papio, Saimiri sciureus, and Macaca mulatta: possible effect on xenotransplantation results.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the presence of irregular xenoantibodies against human red blood cells (RBCs) in 6 primate species used in xenotransplantation and other experimental procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum samples from 109 baboons of 4 different species (olive, chacma, sacred, and Guinea), 38 rhesus macaques, and 30 squirrel monkeys were tested for irregular xenoantibodies using an agglutination test using human RBCs of known phenotype for Rh, Kell, Kidd, Lewis, Lutheran, P1, and Duffy antigens, commercially available as RBC I, II, and III. RESULTS: We found hemagglutination for RBC I in 49%, 22%, 100%, 57%, 32%, and 33% of olive, chacma, sacred, and Guinea baboons, rhesus macaques, and squirrel monkey, respectively. The frequency for RBC II was 49%, 50%, 100%, 57%, 37%, and 33%, respectively, and for RBC III was 56%, 37%, 100%, 79%, 34%, and 33%, respectively. There were differences in frequency depending on the sex of the rhesus macaques; all 3 RBCs tested were higher in the females: 44% vs 0%, P = .008; 48% vs 1%, P = .02, and 44% vs 9.1%, P = .04 for RBC I, II, and III, respectively. There were differences due to age in only olive baboons, and a higher frequency in younger animals compared with juvenile, subadult, and adult animals for all 3 human RBCs. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of irregular antibodies in the presence of primate serum should be taken into account during any experimental xenotransplantation protocol.

Ontogeny of joint mechanics in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis): functional implications for mammalian limb growth and locomotor development.

Juvenile animals must often compete against adults for common resources, keep pace during group travel and evade common predators, despite reduced body size and an immature musculoskeletal system. Previous morphometric studies of a diverse array of mammals, including jack rabbits, cats and capuchin monkeys, have identified growth-related changes in anatomy, such as negative allometry of limb muscle mechanical advantage, which should theoretically permit young mammals to overcome such ontogenetic limits on performance. However, it is important to evaluate the potential impact of such ;compensatory' growth trajectories within the context of developmental changes in locomotor behavior. I used standard kinematic and kinetic techniques to investigate the ontogenetic scaling of joint postures, substrate reaction forces, joint load arm lengths and external joint moments in an ontogenetic sample of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis). Results indicated that young squirrel monkeys were frequently able to limit forelimb and hind limb joint loading via a combination of changes in limb posture and limb force distribution, potentially compensating for limited muscularity at younger ages. These results complement previous morphometric studies and suggest that immature mammals may utilize a combination of behavioral and anatomical mechanisms to mitigate ontogenetic limits on locomotor performance. However, ontogenetic changes in joint posture, not limb length per se, explained most of the variation in load arm lengths and joint loading in growing squirrel monkeys, indicating the importance of incorporating both anatomical and performance measures when studying the ontogeny of limb joint mechanics.

When size makes a difference: allometry, life-history and morphological evolution of capuchins (Cebus) and squirrels (Saimiri) monkeys (Cebinae, Platyrrhini).

BACKGROUND: How are morphological evolution and developmental changes related? This rather old and intriguing question had a substantial boost after the 70s within the framework of heterochrony (changes in rates or timing of development) and nowadays has the potential to make another major leap forward through the combination of approaches: molecular biology, developmental experimentation, comparative systematic studies, geometric morphometrics and quantitative genetics. Here I take an integrated approach combining life-history comparative analyses, classical and geometric morphometrics applied to ontogenetic series to understand changes in size and shape which happen during the evolution of two New World Monkeys (NWM) sister genera. RESULTS: Cebus and Saimiri share the same basic allometric patterns in skull traits, a result robust to sexual and ontogenetic variation. If adults of both genera are compared in the same scale (discounting size differences) most differences are small and not statistically significant. These results are consistent using both approaches, classical and geometric Morphometrics. Cebus is a genus characterized by a number of peramorphic traits (adult-like) while Saimiri is a genus with paedomorphic (child like) traits. Yet, the whole clade Cebinae is characterized by a unique combination of very high pre-natal growth rates and relatively slow post-natal growth rates when compared to the rest of the NWM. Morphologically Cebinae can be considered paedomorphic in relation to the other NWM. Geometric morphometrics allows the precise separation of absolute size, shape variation associated with size (allometry), and shape variation non-associated with size. Interestingly, and despite the fact that they were extracted as independent factors (principal components), evolutionary allometry (those differences in allometric shape associated with intergeneric differences) and ontogenetic allometry (differences in allometric shape associated with ontogenetic variation within genus) are correlated within these two genera. Furthermore, morphological differences produced along these two axes are quite similar. Cebus and Saimiri are aligned along the same evolutionary allometry and have parallel ontogenetic allometry trajectories. CONCLUSION: The evolution of these two Platyrrhini monkeys is basically due to a size differentiation (and consequently to shape changes associated with size). Many life-history changes are correlated or may be the causal agents in such evolution, such as delayed on-set of reproduction in Cebus and larger neonates in Saimiri.

Cranial growth in normal and low-protein-fed Saimiri. An environmental heterochrony.

Protein malnutrition has a significant and measurable effect on the rate and timing of growth. Heterochrony is generally viewed as the study of evolutionary changes in the relative rates and timing of growth and development. Although changes in growth commonly result from experimental manipulations of diet, nobody has previously attempted to explain such changes from a heterochronic perspective. We use a heterochronic perspective to compare a group of squirrel monkeys fed a low-protein diet to individuals on a high-protein diet, but, in contrast to previous works, we focus particularly on the effects of environmental and not genetic factors. In the present study, Gould's (1977) and Godfrey and Sutherland's (1996) methodologies for studying heterochrony, as well as geometric morphometrics, are used to compare two groups of Saimiri sciureus boliviensis. Two groups of Saimiri were constructed on the basis of the protein content in their diets: a high-protein group (HP) (N=12) and a low-protein group (LP) (N=12). All individuals are males born in captivity. Two major functional components of the skull, the neurocranium and the face, were analysed. Four minor components were studied in each major component. Comparison of craniofacial ontogeny patterns based on major and minor components suggests that changes in the skull of LP animals can be explained by heterochrony. The skull of LP animals exhibits isomorphism produced by proportioned dwarfism. Our results suggest that heterochrony can be environmentally, rather than exclusively genetically, induced. The study of genetic assimilation (Waddington, 1953, 1956; see Scharloo, 1991; Hallgrimsson et al., 2002) has demonstrated that environmentally induced phenotypes often have a genetic basis, and thus parallel changes can be easily induced genetically. It is possible that proportioned dwarfism is far more common than currently appreciated.

Biologic data of Macaca mulatta, Macaca fascicularis, and Saimiri sciureus used for research at the Fiocruz primate center.

Physiological parameters of laboratory animals used for biomedical research is crucial for following several experimental procedures. With the intent to establish baseline biologic parameters for non-human primates held in closed colonies, hematological and morphometric data of captive monkeys were determined. Data of clinically healthy rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) were collected over a period of five years. Animals were separated according to sex and divided into five age groups. Hematological data were compared with those in the literature by Student's t test. Discrepancies with significance levels of 0.1, 1 or 5% were found in the hematological studies. Growth curves showed that the sexual dimorphism of rhesus monkeys appeared at an age of four years. In earlier ages, the differences between sexes could not be distinguished (p < 0.05). Sexual dimorphism in both squirrel monkeys and cynomolgus monkeys occurred at an age of about 32 months. Data presented in this paper could be useful for comparative studies using primates under similar conditions.

Prospective investigation of stress inoculation in young monkeys.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective studies in humans have identified characteristics that promote stress resistance, including childhood exposure to moderately stressful events (ie, stress inoculation). OBJECTIVE: Because of limited opportunities for prospective studies in children, we tested whether exposure to moderate stress early in life produces later stress resistance in a primate model. DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Twenty squirrel monkeys were randomized to intermittent stress inoculation (IS; n = 11) or a nonstress control condition (NS; n = 9) from postnatal weeks 17 to 27. At postnatal week 35, each mother-offspring dyad underwent testing in a moderately stressful novel environment for inferential measures of offspring anxiety (ie, maternal clinging, mother-offspring interactions, object exploration, and food consumption) and stress hormone concentrations (corticotropin [ACTH] and cortisol). At postnatal week 50, after acclimation to an initially stressful wire-mesh box attached to the home cage, independent young monkeys underwent testing for inferential measures of anxiety (ie, voluntary exploration and play) in the box. RESULTS: In the novel environment test, IS compared with NS offspring demonstrated diminished anxiety as measured by decreased maternal clinging (P =.02), enhanced exploratory behavior (P =.005), and increased food consumption (P =.02). Mothers of IS offspring accommodated offspring-initiated exploration (P =.009) and served as a secure base more often compared with NS mothers (P =.047). Compared with NS offspring, IS offspring had lower basal plasma ACTH (P =.001) and cortisol (P =.001) concentrations and lower corticotropin (P =.04) and cortisol (P =.03) concentrations after stress. In the subsequent home-cage wire-box test, IS offspring demonstrated enhanced exploratory (P<.001) and play (P =.008) behaviors compared with NS offspring. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide the first prospective evidence that moderately stressful early experiences strengthen socioemotional and neuroendocrine resistance to subsequent stressors. This preclinical model offers essential opportunities to improve our understanding and enhance prevention of human stress-related psychiatric disorders by elucidating the etiology and neurobiology of stress resistance.

Growth of skeletal components in the young squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus boliviensis): a longitudinal experiment.

A functional skeletal criterion, as an extension of the van der Klaauw's cranial theory, was adopted in the present study. The null hypothesis tested was: "The major skeletal components of the platyrrhine body grow linearly, regardless of their functional dependence to different demands." The acceptance of the hypothesis will imply that all Saimiri skeletal growth may be satisfactorily explained by independent variables in a single equation. The rejection will suggest that such skeletal growth patterns have to be explained by variables in several different equations, and perhaps these equations may vary with the effect of sex and undernutrition. Control and undernourished squirrel monkeys were radiographed monthly for 2 years; they were also measured; and their volumetric and morphometric neurocranial, facial, and pelvic indices were calculated. The curves that best described each of the 24-point sequences were obtained. Three main growth patterns were observed: 1) Simple linear (femur length for all groups, and pelvic index for control and undernourished females), for which the simple regression equation explained more than 95% of the variation; 2) Complex linear (pelvic index for control and undernourished males, and neurocranial and facial indices for all of the groups), for which more than 95% of the variation was explained by one of the four four-function type equations; and 3) Noncorrelated with age (neurofacial index for undernourished males, and pelviofemoral index for control females and undernourished males and females), which showed nonsignificant correlations with respect to age. The food intake and the oscillations of the environmental temperature might help to explain the undulating growth trajectory observed in the complex linear components.

Growth of functional cranial components in Saimiri sciureus boliviensis (Cebidae): a longitudinal study.

Ten male Saimiri sciureus boliviensis (Cebidae) born at the Centro Argentino de Primates (CAPRIM) were divided into a control group (five animals fed ad libitum on a 20% protein diet) and an undernourished group (five animals fed ad libitum on a 5% protein diet) at weaning (seven months old). Each animal was radiographed monthly from both later-lateral and dorsal-ventral views, from the first to the third year of age. The length, width and height of the optic, respiratory, and masticatory components of the face and anterior neural, middle neural, and posterior neural components were measured in the radiographs. Volumetric (VI) and morphometric (MI) indices were calculated for each component. Correlations and simple linear regressions with respect to age were performed. In the face, two components -respiratory and masticatory- showed the greatest growth rate. In the neurocranium, the middle neural component grew most, approaching the rate observed for the component of the lowest growth in the face (optic). The anterior neural and posterior neural components showed the lowest -although significant- growth rates of the skull. The determination coefficients showed that linearity explained from 12% (posterior neural component) to 74% (masticatory component) of the variation, the remainder being attributed to shape changes and noise effects. The neurofacial rate showed a high level (80%) of nonlinearity since the neurocranium grew almost 1/3 with respect to the face. The morphometric indices showed that only the masticatory component was linear to the face. While the respiratory component grew more, the optic one grew less than the whole face. Only the anterior neural component kept linearity with the neurocranium. While the middle neural component grew more, the posterior neural one grew less than the whole neurocranium. Significant alterations due to undernutrition were seen in both major components. While the three facial and the anterior neural components showed correlation coefficients lower -but significant- than in controls, in the remaining indices -morphometrics included- the correlation values were abruptly broken. The slopes of the regressions which remained significant showed that undernutrition affected mainly the components with greater growth rates (respiratory, masticatory, and middle neural). Secondarily affected were those with lower growth rates (optic, anterior neural and posterior neural), despite their function and according to the histology of the organs they support and protect.

Postnatal foraging demands alter adrenocortical activity and psychosocial development.

Mother squirrel monkeys stop carrying infants at earlier ages in high-demand (HD) conditions where food is difficult to find relative to low-demand (LD) conditions. To characterize these transitions in psychosocial development, from 10- to 21-weeks postpartum we collected measures of behavior, adrenocortical activity, and social transactions coded for initiator (mother or infant), goal (make-contact or break-contact), and outcome (success or failure). Make-contact attempts were most often initiated by HD infants, but mothers often opposed these attempts and less than 50% were successful. Break-contact attempts were most often initiated by LD infants, but mothers often opposed these attempts and fewer LD than HD infant break-contact attempts were successful. Plasma levels of cortisol were significantly higher in HD than LD mothers, but differences in adrenocortical activity were less consistent in their infants. HD and LD infants also spent similar amounts of time nursing on their mothers and feeding on solid foods. By rescheduling some transitions in development (carry-->self-transport), and not others (nursing-->self-feeding), mothers may have partially protected infants from the immediate impact of an otherwise stressful foraging task.

Cranial growth in Saimiri sciureus (Cebidae) and its alteration by nutritional factors: a longitudinal study.

Ten male Saimiri sciureus boliviensis (Cebidae), born at the Centro Argentino de Primates (CAPRIM), were grown in captivity. At weaning (6 months old), five individuals were fed ad libitum on a 20% protein diet (controls). The other five animals were fed ad libitum on a 5% protein diet (malnourished). Animals were radiographed monthly. The length, width, and height of the anterior, middle, and posterior components of the neurocranium, and those of the masticatory, respiratory, and optic components of the face were measured. A pattern of high growth rate was observed in both the three facial and the middle neural components. The anterior and posterior neural components showed a pattern of low rate of growth. The growth behavior of each variable was also different. Lengths grew more than widths and heights in the facial components, whereas widths grew more than heights and lengths in the neurocranium. Malnutrition delayed growth in size and altered the normal shape changes. High-patterned variables, such as masticatory and respiratory lengths, and the anterior and middle neural widths were particularly affected. The masticatory and the middle neural components underwent the greatest growth arrest. The optic and the respiratory components suffered a mild effect. The anterior and the posterior neural components were affected to a lesser degree.

Effect of life history on the squirrel monkey (Platyrrhini, Saimiri) cranium.

Among primates, squirrel monkeys uniquely possess an interorbital fenestra, in which the midline bony orbitosphenoid septum is largely absent and the soft tissues of the orbits are separated only by a thin membrane. Neural development may contribute to the approximation of the orbits to the midline in Saimiri, insofar as other platyrrhines with relatively large brains also have relatively narrow interorbital spaces compared to their near relatives. In Saimiri the narrow spacing of the orbits is further exacerbated by intense predation pressure on infants that may select for precocial neonates. The result is a large-headed neonate that is subject to unusual parturition constraints. These parturition constraints apply to the size and dolichocephalic shape of the squirrel monkey head in general, and to the relatively large eyes and approximated orbits in particular. The unique interorbital condition in Saimiri is an example of the effects of life history on skeletal morphology.

Cranial growth in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus): a quantitative analysis using three dimensional coordinate data.

Improvements in data gathering technology have made it possible to quickly and accurately digitize large numbers of objects. The three dimensional coordinates of 44 homologous landmarks were obtained from a sample of 104 squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) crania. After sorting by sex, the crania were assigned to one of four dental age groups. Two quantitative methods, Euclidean distance matrix analysis (EDMA) and finite element scaling analysis (FESA), were used to study craniofacial form change during growth within each sex. Form differences between the sexes at each developmental age were also examined. Both sexes show a small amount of cranial growth overall; however, there are areas of substantial local growth. These areas include the anterior neurocranium and basicranium, the basioccipital, and the anterior palate. Sexual dimorphism in the craniofacial complex is minimal. The most dimorphic regions are the orbitonasal portion of the lower face, the cranial base, and the palate.

Developmental changes in ECG associated with heart rate are similar in squirrel monkey and human infants.

Interest in refining noninvasive methods of diagnosis and further characterization of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sp.) as a model for pediatric cardiology studies led to this investigation of electrocardiogram (ECG) changes associated with changes in age and position. During a single delivery season, ECGs were performed at 1 day, 1 month, and 1 year of age. For each age group, ECGs were recorded with animals in dorsal, ventral, and right lateral recumbency. The 1-day-old group had the lowest heart rates (271 +/- 10, right lateral recumbency, mean +/- SEM) relative to the other age groups. One-year-old monkeys had heart rates of 333 +/- 18. One-month-old infants had rates significantly higher than the other two age groups (366 +/- 4). The QRS frontal-plane axis showed an age-related leftward change from 1 day (151 +/- 28 degrees) to 1 year of age (121 +/- 44 degrees) while the P-wave frontal plane axis remained nearly constant over a narrow range at all ages. The pattern of heart rate changes with age were similar to those in humans, although the ranges of absolute heart rates were markedly different. These data suggest that factors that influence maturational changes in heart rate, conduction time (as reflected by ECG intervals) and cardiac chamber size and position (inferred from axis and voltage) are similar among primates of widely variant body sizes.

Changes in skull components of the squirrel monkey evoked by growth and nutrition: an experimental study.

Twenty weanling 6-month-old male squirrel monkeys were allotted to the following treatments: 1) first control animals were killed at weaning; 2) second control animals were killed when 24 months old; and 3) malnourished animals were fed on a low-protein diet and killed at age 24 months. Lateral and vertical teleradiographies were taken. Growth of the neurocranial and splanchnocranial components were measured by volumetric (size estimators) and morphometric (shape estimators) indices. All facial components grew. The neurocranial components showed a heterogeneous behavior: The anteroneural component remained stable, and the increase of the midneural component was compensated by a decrease in the posteroneural component. Malnutrition affected the growths of 1) the craniofacial complex, 2) the splanchnocranium, and 3) the respiratory and midneural components. Growth influenced skull shape through 1) increases of the splanchnocranium and the midneural component relative to the neurocranium; 2) decreases of the masticatory and optic components relative to the splanchnocranium, and 3) decreases of the anteroneural and posteroneural components relative to the neurocranium. Malnutrition influenced skull shape through the relationship between the anteroneural component and the neurocranium. These results confirmed the existence of functional interrelationships among the cranial components. A new approach to craniological studies is suggested.

A comparative study of neonatal skeletal development in Cebus and other primates.

Comparisons of hand/wrist radiographs of neonatal Cebus albifrons (n = 14) and Cebus apella (n = 4) with those of Saimiri sciureus boliviensis (n = 9) and Macaca mulatta (n = 63) reveal that the cebid monkeys show much less skeletal ossification at birth than macaques. Differences in gestation time alone cannot account for the differences in skeletal maturity at birth in the two groups of monkeys. The skeletal precocity of the newborn macaques indicates that their ossification either begins earlier in gestation or proceeds at a more rapid rate, or both. This, in turn, raises questions about the timing of organogenesis and gestational comparability in cebid and cercopithecid monkeys. The advanced state of ossification seen in macaques at birth is not typical of other groups of anthropoid primates, including Cebus, Saimiri, Pan and Homo, and may represent an ontogenetic specialization.