Behavioral Studies at Monkey Jungle

Monkey Jungle has a long history (beginning in the mid-1960’s) of fostering scientific research and collaborating in studies that have made a significant contribution to our understanding of primate biology and behavior.  For example, the seasonality of squirrel monkey social behavior and reproduction (DuMond  and Hutchinson, 1967) was discovered through observations in the “Amazon Rainforest” exhibit.  Scientists and students have over the years made many other discoveries.  
DuMond, F.V. and Hutchinson, T.C. (1967). Squirrel monkey reproduction “The fatted male phenomenon and season spermatogenesis” Science 158 1067-1070

The DuMond Conservancy oversees scientific research at Money Jungle.  The following studies illustrate the breadth of topics that can be investigated in primates in a cooperative captive setting.

Cognition -   The close bond that Monkey Jungle caretakers form with the primates has permitted psychologists to creatively investigate important cognitive abilities including self-awareness and episodic memory (memory for specific events) in great apes.
Schwartz, B.M. Colon, M.R. Sanchez, I.C., Rodriguez, I.A. and Evans, S. (2002). Single-trial learning of “what” and “who” information in a gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla): Implications for episodic memory. Animal Cognition 5 85-90


Color Vision – The evolution of color vision in New World monkeys
 Jacobs, G. H and Deegan. J.F.II (2001) Photopigments and colour vision in New World monkeys from the family Atelidae. Proc. R. Soc. B 268 695-702

Communication - Interpreting the information that male black and white colobus monkeys send to others when they roar.  This study investigated the responses of male black and white colobus monkeys when the roars of other males were played back to them.
Harris, T.H., Fitch, W.T., Goldstein, L.M. and Fashing, P.J. (2006).  Black and white colobus monkeys (Colobus guereza): roars as a source of both honest and exaggerated information about body mass.  Ethology 112 911-920

Locomotion – integrating different techniques to interpret the skeletal morphology of New World monkeys in order to improve our understanding of primate evolution .
Turnquist, J.E. Schmitt, D., Rose, M.D. and Cant, J.G.H. (1999) Pendular motion in brachiation in captive Lagothrix and Ateles. Am. J. Primatol. 48(4) 263-282