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- Title
- 2022 - Reactions to Human Presence by Primates at La Selva Research Station (Alouatta palliata, Ateles geoffroyi, and Cebus capucinus) - Poster Presentation
- Description
- Although closely related, primates and humans do not often interact. This lack of interaction has led to researchers facing limitations in collecting data due to an inability to detect primates before they flee or hide. Habituation is when wild animals become comfortable with human interaction and presence; this can be useful to researchers in allowing them to observe wild animals in closer proximity. Although a useful tool for researchers, habituation can lead to wild animals becoming vulnerable; poachers have easier targets and humans can introduce new diseases. Though the primates at La Selva have not been purposefully habituated, they do have constant contact with humans due to the large amounts of human interaction caused by the researchers who frequent the station. This study will be conducted in May 2022 and will research the effects of human presence on Alouatta palliata, Ateles geoffroyi, and Cebus capucinus. I predict that human presence will have little to no effect on these species. La Selva research hub is a hotspot for researchers and is home to three species of primates: Howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata), Spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), and Capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus). I will be doing a census, walking at a speed of 1 km/hr across the 61 km of paved and dirt trails, which are all marked every 50 m. During my census, I will be recording primate and human locations (trail name and nearest marker). Proximity to human-dense areas such as the research station and commonly used trails will be calculated using a La Selva trail map. When primates are located, the census will be paused to collect data on displaying, feeding, locomotion (including whether they are fleeing or approaching), grooming, resting, and vocalizing. A comparison between the abundance of primates found near human-dense areas and more remote areas will be made.
- Subjects
- Primates, monkeys, Animal behavior, Census, Interpersonal relations, student projects, social anthropology, Anthropology
- Local Identifiers
- 22-0148
- Title
- 2022 - Affiliation and Aggression in Primate Groups - Poster Presentation
- Description
- Interactions between species are thought to be one of the largest factors of natural selection. Prior research has shown that primate species are constantly interacting, and that these interactions are not always peaceful or playful. Studies from La Suerte Biological Station have shown that howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) and spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) displace each other in order to get to the food resources. Other times, the two species are seen playing with each other. Alouatta palliata appear to be tolerant of other resident males but aggressive towards nonresident males. Ateles geoffroyi have been known to use fission-fusion dynamics which decrease competition and aggression. Whether these patterns of interactions are also found at La Selva Research Station is unknown. This study will examine the interactions within species and between species of Alouatta palliata and Ateles geoffroyi. I predict that interactions within Alouatta palliata groups will be more affiliative compared to interactions with Ateles geoffroyi groups. This research will take place at La Selva Research Station in May 2022. La Selva Research Station is located in the lowlands of the Caribbean in Costa Rica and is surrounded by the Sarapiqui and Puerto Viejo Rivers totaling about 103.89 km. Due to the high amount of rainfall, La Selva Research Station is covered with tropical pre-montane wet forest, which is more commonly known as rainforest. La Selva Research Station is home to Alouatta palliata, Ateles geoffroyi, and Cebus imitator. La Selva Research Station also has an expansive number of trails totaling in 50 km. Alouatta palliata are recognized by dark brown/black coloring with a lighter color along their sides and back. Males average about 9.8 kg while females average 5 kg. Ateles geoffroyi have dark hair with lighter coloring on their chest and stomach. Males and females both average between 6 and 9 kg. For my data collection I will be using instantaneous scan sampling with an interval of 30 seconds. I will alternate between Alouatta palliata and Ateles geoffroyi each day. For each scan I will record whether behaviors are solitary, affiliative, or aggressive, and for social behaviors I will record the partner. I will compare the amount of affiliation and aggression within groups and between groups.
- Subjects
- research, Primates, monkeys, Animal behavior, Interpersonal relations, social anthropology, Anthropology
- Local Identifiers
- 22-0178
- Title
- 2022 - Biting Off More than You Can Chew: Animal Gnawing in Forensic Taphonomy - Poster Presentation
- Description
- Taphonomy is the study of the processes that impact skeletal remains between the time of death and retrieval by forensic investigators. There are many different animals that will scavenge skeletal remains for food and minerals. By gnawing on the bones, carnivores and rodents will leave different types of indentations/marks on the bone. By studying these patterns of marks, we may be able to determine what animals were responsible, and thereby infer important information, such as if the remains were moved or left exposed. Ultimately, this helps us to reconstruct what happened to an individual’s remains within forensic investigations. divorce. The implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.
- Subjects
- research, Skeletons, skeleton and skeleton components, forensic science, Anthropology, Animals, Bites & stings
- Local Identifiers
- 22-0167
- Title
- 2022 - Mother-Infant Interactions of Alouatta palliata - Poster Presentation
- Description
- The principal social connection among primates is that between mother and infant; the survival of an infant primate relies heavily on the level of maternal care provided. Until about three months of age, an infant Alouatta palliata (Mantled Howler Monkey) will spend most of their time with their mother. Alouatta seniculus have been observed behaving positively towards their infants, grooming, and protecting them; however, mothers have also exhibited agonistic behaviors such as pushing their infants away. Limited research has been conducted on the behaviors of A. palliata mothers and their young at La Selva Research Station. I predict that the interactions between mothers and their offspring at La Selva Research Station will be primarily affiliative. Research will be carried out at La Selva Research Station in May 2022. La Selva Research Station is a private reserve located in the northern region of Costa Rica. It spans over 1,600 hectares of rainforest and is home to three species of primates, one of which is A. palliata. A. palliata are primarily black with gold fringing on the sides, and they average 6 kg for males or 4.8 kg for females. I will be collecting data by performing instantaneous scans of mother primates and their babies, at 20-second intervals. In that time, I will be recording whether interactions between mothers and their young are affiliative, aggressive, or solitary. The frequency of affiliative and aggressive interactions between mothers and infants will be compared.
- Subjects
- student projects, Primates, monkeys, Mothers & children, Interpersonal relations, Anthropology
- Local Identifiers
- 22-0170
- Title
- 2022 - Photogrammetry and Its Applications in Anthropology: A Literature Review - Poster Presentation
- Description
- Photogrammetry can best be described as a 3D image processed by specialized software that results from 2D photographs, laser scans, and other types of imaging. The technique, although originating in the early 19th century, has been an area of particularly increasing multidisciplinary interest since 2010. This review is being written with the intention of assessing and informing on the utility of such technology, as well as its applications in various fields such as forensic anthropology and archaeology, specifically in relation to human skeletal remains. Techniques in photogrammetry allow for evaluation of morphological characteristics, and even provide assessments available exclusively through this type of imaging. It can be used to render 3D prints that can be employed as teaching collections or as replicas placed in museums to protect more fragile and deteriorating bones. Photogrammetry can even be used on in-situ graves or dig sites to preserve what inevitably gets destroyed when excavating, something of utmost importance, especially in the medicolegal community, where vital evidence could be found long after the scene has been released. Photogrammetry is extremely useful in these situations because it is a non-destructive tool that can be cost- and time-efficient, and it is intended to supplement rather than replace excavations, investigations, and osteological studies.
- Subjects
- Anthropology, skeleton components, forensic photography, Archaeology
- Local Identifiers
- 22-0147