Diet for a small primate: insectivory and gummivory in the (large) patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas pyrrhonotus)

A 17 month field study of unprovisioned patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas pyrrhonotus) in Laikipia, Kenya, using both ad libitum and scan sampling techniques, revealed that the diet of patas monkeys consists primarily of gum of Acacia drepanolobium, arthropods (both free-living and concentrated in the swollen thorns of A. drepanolobium), and other animals. This type of diet is normally found only in smaller-bodied primates. Results from vegetational transects suggest that the larger-bodied patas monkey can subsist on such a diet because gum and arthropods are relatively easily found in their habitat, thereby minimizing search time. Patas monkeys also spend more time moving and less time feeding (while not moving) than other Old World primates. The characteristic long limbs of patas may have evolved in response to feeding on small, nonusurpable, and widely distributed foods, in which access to foods is maximized while time and energy spent in terrestrial travel between food sites are minimized.     

Comparisons of feeding behavior in captive squirrel and titi monkeys (Saimiri sciureus and Callicebus moloch).

In view of behavioral differences observed in natural environments, one might expect that feeding and foraging patterns draw on different behavioral tendencies in squirrel and titi monkeys. Some of these tendencies were identified in the present 4 studies. In the home cage and in the presence of abundant food, squirrel monkeys were rapid, wasteful, and relatively asocial feeders. Titis in the same setting were slower, more selective, thorough, and socially involved feeders. Passive sharing of food between titi pair-mates was common. When competition was increased by presenting a single food item, titis continued to rely on positive social interactions to obtain food; squirrel monkeys still relied mainly on asocial stratagems to obtain food. The species' food preferences in paired-comparison tests were quite similar, although their patterns of obtaining and consuming the foods were not. Squirrel monkeys took food more quickly but consumed less than titis. When the same foods were presented repetitively, squirrel monkeys remained more wasteful consumers and were satiated more quickly than titis, even with highly preferred foods. These differences are discussed in terms of their probable contributions to each species' modal foraging patterns in natural environments. The findings are placed in an adaptive profile framework for each species, based on data accumulated in a series of studies conducted over the last decade. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Feeding behaviour and predation of a bat by Saimiri sciureus in a semi-natural Amazonian environment

A free-ranging group of Saimiri sciureus was studied in a semi-natural forest habitat in eastern Amazonia, where behaviour patterns were broadly similar to those recorded for the species in the wild. According to focal-animal samples, the monkeys spent the vast majority of their time foraging and feeding, in particular for arthropod prey, which contributed almost half of identified food items. The predation of a small-bodied bat was also observed, although the study animals did not appear to forage systematically for chiropterans in the manner recorded for Saimiri oerstedi.     

Use of olfactory cues in foraging by owl monkeys (Aotus nancymai) and capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella).

The authors tested free-ranging New World monkeys (nocturnal owl monkeys [Aotus nancymai] and diurnal capuchin monkeys [Cebus apella]) to determine the extent to which they use olfactory cues to locate food hidden in containers at 2 of 6 feeding sites within a 1?-ha forested enclosure. These 2 sites were selected randomly for each trial and then were baited with banana and banana peel residue. The 4 other sites were unbaited and unscented. In trials in which the food was not visible to the monkeys, Aotus monkeys located the baited sites at a level greater than expected by chance, whereas Cebus monkeys did not. Use of olfactory information by Aotus monkeys in foraging may be an adaptation for nocturnal foraging because olfactory cues are more salient than visual cues at low light levels. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus jacchus) spatial memory in a foraging task: Win-stay versus win-shift strategies.

The spatial memory of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus jacchus) was explored in 3 experiments with a simulated foraging task. In Experiment 1, individual monkeys foraged among 8 baited food sites. They appeared to use spatial memory to accurately avoid revisiting previously depleted sites. There was no difference in accuracy between the adult monkeys and a juvenile monkey tested on the same task. In Experiment 2, a win–stay paradigm was used. The adult monkey subject very accurately remembered locations that had previously contained food. The monkey tended to visit adjacent correct sites when retrieving food and thus minimized the total distance travelled. In Experiment 3, a win–shift paradigm was used with 2 adult monkeys. Although both monkeys performed at above-chance levels of accuracy on the win–shift task, they made many errors. These results suggest that marmosets may prefer tasks that require a win–stay strategy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of d-amphetamine on the reinforcing effects of food and fluid using a novel procedure combining self-administration and location preference

Using a laboratory animal procedure designed to measure two aspects of behavior related to commodity seeking (self-administration and location preference), five individually housed adult rhesus monkeys lived in three chambers: fluid- (sweetened Kool-Aid solution) related cues and oral fluid self-administration were specific to one end chamber, food pellet-related cues and food self-administration were specific to the other end chamber, and no food cues or fluid cues were available in the middle chamber. Throughout the 10 h experimental day, monkeys experienced multiple food, fluid, choice (food versus fluid), and no-commodity sessions. Oral d-amphetamine (AMPH; 0.5-1.5 mg/kg) or placebo was administered before the sessions to determine if this anorectic drug would differentially alter food and fluid self-administration. The effects of AMPH on the length of time monkeys spent in each chamber, when the stimulus lights indicating commodity availability were not illuminated (location preference) were also determined. AMPH decreased both food and fluid self-administration, but responding for fluid was reduced to a greater extent than responding for food. AMPH, however, increased the length of time monkeys spent in the food chamber, even when no stimulus lights indicating food availability were illuminated. The increase in the length of time spent in the food chamber was predicted by the decrease in the number of fluid deliveries, not the number of food deliveries. These results indicate that the relationship between self-administration and location preference, as measures of reinforcing effects, is not completely concordant. The current procedure may prove useful in comparing these two measures of reinforcing effects with other reinforcers.     

Social transmission of food preferences in Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) after mere exposure or aversion training.

In Experiment 1, 3 mother–child pairs of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) were given simultaneous choice tests between raisins and popcorn. The mothers and offspring showed different choice patterns. Cofeeding opportunities were then alternated with individual choice tests. In Experiment 2, 2 other pairs were added. Each animal was again offered simultaneous choice tests between marshmallows and almonds. Food aversion conditioning was used to create different choice patterns for mothers and offspring. After cofeeding and choice tests, the differences in choice patterns disappeared in both experiments. The changes after contact with the other's eating pattern during cofeeding was as follows: foods consumed by either came to be eaten by both; foods consumed by both continued to be eaten by both; and foods consumed by neither continued to be ignored. The results provide evidence for social transmission of food preferences in this species. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Procoagulant activity of purified protein derivative-stimulated pleural effusion mononuclear cells in tuberculous pleurisy

The authors tested free-ranging New World monkeys (nocturnal owl monkeys [Aotus nancymai] and diurnal capuchin monkeys [Cebus apella]) to determine the extent to which they use olfactory cues to locate food hidden in containers at 2 of 6 feeding sites within a 1 1/2-ha forested enclosure. These 2 sites were selected randomly for each trial and then were baited with banana and banana peel residue. The 4 other sites were unbaited and unscented. In trials in which the food was not visible to the monkeys, Aotus monkeys located the baited sites at a level greater than expected by chance, whereas Cebus monkeys did not. Use of olfactory information by Aotus monkeys in foraging may be an adaptation for nocturnal foraging because olfactory cues are more salient than visual cues at low light levels.     

Defining the role of the bladder-neck sling in the surgical treatment of urinary incontinence in children with neurogenic incontinence

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.     

Uniqueness of limit cycles in models for microparasitic and macroparasitic diseases

Understanding the sources of variation in a community's diet is vital for development work, as well as being a source of anthropological and cultural insights. Previous surveys in the South American Andes suggest that nutrient deficiencies may be widespread; however, such interpretations have remained tentative since variance in Andean populations' diet has not been thoroughly examined. In this paper we consider the variation in diet due to variation in age, sex, and socioeconomic status and variation attributed to inter- and intraindividual variation in the diet. One to six days of dietary data (mean = 3.1) were collected via 24 h recalls from 221 residents of a small, rural community in highland Ecuador. The contribution of various food groups to the diet varied with land holdings and age but not sex. For example, animal-derived foods contribute more and tubers contribute less to the diet of the households with > or = 5 Ha, and sweets contribute more to the diet of children. The interindividual variation in energy and nutrient intake was low and the intraindividual variation high relative to developed countries. The consequence are twofold. First, because interindividual variability is low, group mean intake can be estimated relatively easily, facilitating group comparisons. Second, because intraindividual variation is high, individual nutrient intake cannot be easily estimated, which will decrease the ability to detect associations between nutrient intake and health measures. This knowledge of the sources of dietary variation can lead to better study and survey designs in the rural Andes and elsewhere in the developing world.     

Palatability and foraging cost interact to control caloric intake.

The combined effects of meal cost and food flavor on meal size were studied with a method that avoided the covariation of nutrient composition and caloric density with palatability. As rats (Rattus norvegicus) drank flavored fluids (unpalatable 0.05% sucrose octaacetate [SOA], neutral 0.05% saccharin, and palatable 2% Polycose?+?0.2% saccharin [P?+?S]), liquid diet was infused intragastrically. Relative to saccharin, rats with free access ate 10% more calories in larger meals while consuming P?+?S and initially ate fewer calories in smaller but more frequent meals while drinking SOA. Other rats lever-pressed to begin meals, which halved meal number and doubled meal size relative to the free-access group. Although foraging rats also ate larger P?+?S meals and smaller SOA meals, the changes did not affect total intake. Without the usual differential postingestive effects of foods that differ in palatability, making food more costly blunts rats' response to its flavor. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Modulation of synaptosomal plasma membrane-bound enzyme activity through the perturbation of plasma membrane lipid structure by bupivacaine

To determine whether young capuchin monkeys, Cebus apellaselectively interacted with others concerning novel foods, 11 infants (4.5-12 months) living in two groups were observed following presentation of familiar or novel foods. Foods were presented either to the whole group or to infants in a section of the home cage to which only they had access. Infants showed more frequent interest in others' food and picked up foods more frequently when foods were novel, and they tended to eat novel foods more frequently than familiar foods. The pattern was the same whether the foods were presented to the group or only to infants. Infants expressed interest in others' novel foods equally often before and after sampling these foods themselves. The frequency of interest in others' food correlated positively with age. It is concluded that acceptance of novel foods in these monkeys occurs readily regardless of socially provided information about edibility. Social interactions do not appear to make important contributions to acceptance of novel foods by infant capuchin monkeys.     

Effect of the growth rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms on the susceptibility to antimicrobial agents: beta-lactams and fluoroquinolones

The combined effects of meal cost and food flavor on meal size were studied with a method that avoided the covariation of nutrient composition and caloric density with palatability. As rats (Rattus norvegicus) drank flavored fluids (unpalatable 0.05% sucrose octaacetate [SOA], neutral 0.05% saccharin, and palatable 2% Polycose + 0.2% saccharin [P + S]), liquid diet was infused intragastrically. Relative to saccharin, rats with free access ate 10% more calories in larger meals while consuming P + S and initially ate fewer calories in smaller but more frequent meals while drinking SOA. Other rats lever-pressed to begin meals, which halved meal number and doubled meal size relative to the free-access group. Although foraging rats also ate larger P + S meals and smaller SOA meals, the changes did not affect total intake. Without the usual differential postingestive effects of foods that differ in palatability, making food more costly blunts rats' response to its flavor.     

Mother rats interact differently with male amd female offspring.

60 lactating Long-Evans rats were observed to interact differently with male and female pups during the 1st 18 days postpartum. Differences were related to the gender composition of the home litter (GHL), to the sex of a single introduced pup, and to the sex of individual pups within the litter. Major differences were the greater time spent in licking the anogenital region of own male pups and the greater stimulation of anogenital licking by male foster pups, an effect that did not interact with GHL or age of pup. GHL interacted with day of testing to affect nest building and time spent near pups. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Food choices of 4 to 6-year-old overweight and nonoverweight children while role-playing as adults.

The following study compared the food choices made by overweight and non-overweight preschoolers while role-playing a mother who bought food for a family, and examined the influence of maternal restriction on food choice. After screening 619 children for height and weight, 56 overweight children (equal sex distribution, ages 4-6) and 56 non-overweight children (matched on age, sex, demographics) were selected to participate. Children's purchases of low and high caloric snacks, drinks, and dinner products in a miniature supermarket were recorded. Mother and child-reported maternal restriction were assessed using the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) and the Kid's CFQ. Compared to non-overweight children, overweight children choose more high-calorie foods when role-playing a mother. Maternal restriction did not differ between overweight and non-overweight children. Both children's and mothers' reported maternal restriction were unrelated to food choices and there were no significant interactions between restriction and weight status on food choices. In conclusion, while parental restriction seems to be unrelated to children's food choices, family food patterns might have great impact already at young ages. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Selective changes in foraging behavior following bilateral neurotoxic amygdala lesions in rhesus monkeys.

Across a variety of species, the amygdala appears to play a key role in the detection and avoidance of potential dangers (e.g., unfamiliar social partners, novel objects or contexts, potential predators, etc.). For many species, seeking out appropriate food sources and avoiding novel, distasteful or potentially tainted food is also a daily concern. Amygdala damage in nonhuman primates has been linked to increased willingness to select unfamiliar or unpalatable foods, as well as inedible items that intact animals typically reject. However, such findings have not always been consistent and have typically been observed in relatively restrictive, laboratory-based testing contexts. We evaluated the food choices of six adult male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with bilateral, neurotoxic amygdala lesions and six age- and experienced-matched unoperated control animals. Each animal was able to forage freely in a large enclosure stocked with five preferred and five nonpreferred foods that changed locations each day. While both groups quickly selected palatable foods, monkeys with amygdala lesions consistently selected unpalatable foods that the unoperated control animals generally avoided. Even after repeated presentations of the unpalatable foods, the amygdala-lesioned monkeys failed to change their initial pattern of diminished avoidance. These results are consistent with a general role for the amygdala in danger detection and prevention of harm in the presence of novel or noxious stimuli, regardless of whether such stimuli are conspecifics, predators, objects or foods. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison of patient-controlled epidural analgesia with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia using pethidine or fentanyl

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between physical activity, leisure time activities and dietary habits in adolescents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have studied 541 girls and 537 boys from 24 schools. Physical activity, leisure time activities and dietary habits were assessed by 3 different questionnaires, taking into account one week of normal activity and diet. RESULTS: Foods such as milk, fish, meat, egg, fruits, vegetables, pasta and snacks were consumed more frequently in children who spent more time doing sport, but difference were not statistically significant. Boys who spent more time watching T.V. ate greater amounts of almost all foods (p < 0.05). In girls, we have observed the same results, but differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Sports and T.V. watching are both related to a greater amount of food intake From our results we can deduce that in order to prevent obesity, and other cardiovascular risk factors, we must improve food intake related with sedentary habits.     

Age and sex as factors influencing spontaneous exploration and object investigation by preadult rats (Rattus norvegicus).

Examined developmental and sex differences in the exploratory and investigatory behaviors of Long-Evans rats. Littermate sextuplets were divided into sex-matched groups (at 30, 60, and 90 days of age) and were individually videotaped on 2 consecutive nights in an arena that contained stimulus objects. Multiple measures of locomotor exploration and object investigation increased significantly with age but were not influenced by sex. Older rats entered more quickly, were more active, spent more time in the arena, and spent more time investigating inanimate stimulus objects than did younger rats. Sex did not significantly affect most measures of open-field behavior; however, the data suggest that the sexes may begin to diverge by 90 days. These results suggest that preadult rats of both sexes are equipped early in development with similar strategies and repertoires for exploration and investigation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Failure to obtain sex differences in development of obesity following ventromedial hypothalamic lesions in rats.

Gave 24 male and 24 female albino Charles River rats either a high-fat or a ground-food diet following ventromedial hypothalamic or sham lesions. After 63 days on 1 diet, diets were reversed for 27 days. Over 63 days (a) lesioned Ss of both sexes showed a significant increase in weight over their controls, (b) Ss on high fat gained more weight than those on ground food, and (c) there was no difference between the sexes in weight gain. When diets were reversed, lesioned Ss now on ground food maintained about the same weight as before reversal, while Ss switched to the high-fat diet rapidly increased their body weight to a point near that of Ss originally on the high-fat diet. Data indicate that there is no sex difference in weight gain following ventromedial lesions. It is suggested that previously reported differences result from (a) insufficient periods of observation, (b) offering unpalatable diets, or (c) the use of random-bred strains which increases variability of animal size and lesion placement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analysis of lateralized components of feeding behavior in the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta).

Twenty-one ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) were videotaped during feeding. They had previously been classified as left-, right- or ambipreferent on the basis of the hand used to reach for food. The feeding sequences provided duration-based measures of manipulation, hand and mouth lateralization, and posture during feeding sequences with 2 types of food. Hand preference for reaching and holding was stable over time and across measurement conditions. As a group, the lemurs grasped fruit bimanually more often than chow; however, right- and ambipreferent lemurs spent more time holding food bimanually than did left-preferent ones. Older animals consumed chow more quickly than did younger animals but did not differ in their rate of manipulation. Lemurs had a preference for using one side of the mouth in feeding, but this had no directional relation to preferred hand. Three postural feeding patterns were identified. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)