Proefschrift--Utrecht. / Vita. "Bestaat uit twee delen, die afzonderlijk worden gepubliceerd ..." Text in English; introd., conclusion, vita, and summaries in Dutch. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Uppsala University, 1983. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 26-33).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 79-94).

Thesis (M.A.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2007. / Vita. Appendix: leaves 40-42. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-47 ).

<p>The semicircular canals of the vestibular system detect angular head rotations and play a fundamental role in guiding motor reflexes during locomotor behaviors. While extensive research has documented the relationship between the semicircular canal shape (i.e. radius of curvature and canal length) and locomotor behaviors, levels of intraspecific variation in primates are relatively unknown. Predictive models using these metrics to reconstruct locomotion in extinct animals are generally based on one individual per species. Furthermore, the influence of body size and to a lesser degree brain size heavily influences overall canal morphology.</p><p>This study documents intraspecific variation in the size, shape and orientation of the semicircular canals in relation to changes in function, brain size, and body size via analysis of high resolution CT scans of large samples of extant primate species. I test the hypothesis that the extent of intraspecific variation differs across a sample of primates, reflecting the intensity of selective pressure on canal shape in species that require agility during locomotion. I also examine whether spatial constraints resulting from the size of the skull (reflected by the size of the brain) affect canal radii of curvature and canal orthogonality more strongly than observed agility during locomotion. </p><p>To this end, data was gathered from high-resolution CT images of museum specimens. For the comparative analysis, 14-matched pairs of adult extant primate species were selected that contrast in agility and brain size in closely related genera. CT images of these specimens were used to measure functional measures of canal sensitivity (e.g., canal radii of curvature, orthogonality). This data was used to test hypotheses concerning intraspecific and interspecific variation in semicircular canal functional morphology. This data was then combined with a larger mammalian dataset culled from the literature, to further test hypotheses relating to body-size and brain size dependent variation in individual canal metrics. </p><p>Evaluation of levels of intraspecific variation support the hypothesis put forth by Billet et al. (2012), that selection on canal morphology is relaxed in animals with slow locomotor behaviors, who are observed to have higher levels of intraspecific variation. Analyses of interspecific variation provides tentative support for the use of canal orthogonality in reconstructive models, most especially in canal angles that seem least effected by other constraints—brain size, etc. However, locomotor signals are complex and brain/skull interactions can potentially produce misleading results when reconstructing locomotor behaviors. This work highlights the importance of critically assessing comparative groups used for inferring behaviors in both extinct and extant animals.</p> / Dissertation

abstract: Skeletal diseases related to reduced bone strength, like osteoporosis, vary in frequency and severity among human populations due in part to underlying genetic differentiation. With >600 disease-associated mutations (DAMs), COL1a1, which encodes the primary subunit of type I collagen, the main structural protein in bone, is most commonly associated with this phenotypic variation. Although numerous studies have explored genotype-phenotype relationships with COL1a1, surprisingly, no study has undertaken an evolutionary approach to determine how changes in constraint over time can be modeled to help predict bone-related disease factors. Here, molecular population and comparative species genetic analyses were conducted to characterize the evolutionary history of COL1a1. First, nucleotide and protein sequences of COL1a1 in 14 taxa representing ~450 million years of vertebrate evolution were used to investigate constraint across gene regions. Protein residues of historically high conservation are significantly correlated with disease severity today, providing a highly accurate model for disease prediction, yet interestingly, intron composition also exhibits high conservation suggesting strong historical purifying selection. Second, a human population genetic analysis of 192 COL1a1 nucleotide sequences representing 10 ethnically and geographically diverse samples was conducted. This random sample of the population shows surprisingly high numbers of amino acid polymorphisms (albeit rare in frequency), suggesting that not all protein variants today are highly deleterious. Further, an unusual haplotype structure was identified across populations, but which is only associated with noncoding variation in the 5' region of COL1a1 where gene expression alteration is most likely. Finally, a population genetic analysis of 40 chimpanzee COL1a1 sequences shows no amino acid polymorphism, yet does reveal an unusual haplotype structure with significantly extended linkage disequilibrium >30 kilobases away, as well as a surprisingly common exon duplication that is generally highly deleterious in humans. Altogether, these analyses indicate a history of temporally and spatially varying purifying selection on not only coding, but noncoding COL1a1 regions that is also reflected in population differentiation. In contrast to clinical studies, this approach reveals potentially functional variation, which in future analyses could explain the observed bone strength variation not only seen within humans, but other closely related primates. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Biology 2010

Among primates, humans have the largest and most complex facial repertoires, followed not by their closest living hominid relatives but by hylobatids. Facial behavior is an important component of primate communication that transfers and modulates intentions and motivations. However, why great variation in primate facial expressions evolved and why hylobatid facial repertoires seem to be more similar to humans than other apes is unclear. The current study compared 206 hours of video and 103 hours of focal animal data of facial expression repertoires, measures of pair bond strength, and behavioral synchrony of ten hylobatid pairs from three genera (Nomascus, Hoolock, and Hylobates) living at the Gibbon Conservation Center, Santa Clarita, CA. This study explored whether facial repertoire breath or frequency were linked to social parameters of pair-bonds, how facial expressions related to behavioral synchrony, and if facial feedback (i.e., the transfer of behaviors and intentions by mimicking observed facial expressions) were important between pair-partners. Intra-pair facial repertoires correlated strongly with repertoire composition and rate of use, suggesting that facial feedback was important, while behavioral synchrony showed no correlation with facial behavior. The results of this study suggest that larger facial repertoires contribute to strengthening pair bonds, because richer facial repertoires provide more opportunities for facial feedback which effectively creates a better ‘understanding’ between partners through smoother and better coordinated interaction patterns.

xvi, 169 p. ： ill. (some col.) / This dissertation describes the postcranial functional morphology of Theropithecus brumpti , a fossil cercopithecoid primate from the Plio-Pleistocene of East Africa. Theropithecus is often used as an analogue for human evolution, but much of our understanding of its paleobiology is based on the grassland adapted Theropithecus oswaldi , masking potential morphological and ecological breadth within the genus and limiting its use as an ecological comparator. To better understand the evolutionary history and ecological breadth of the genus, an analysis of the woodland associated T. brumpti is presented. All available T. brumpti postcranial material is included, along with comparative data on T. oswaldi and a large extant sample. Skeletal elements were metrically described using 125 postcranial measurements believed to have functional relevance. Measurements were transformed into 46 ratios to reflect shape and the functional lengths over which muscles act and to reduce the effects of differences in scale among individuals and species. Contrary to previous findings, there is no evidence T. brumpti was arboreal; rather it is clearly a terrestrial papionin. While T. brumpti retains a degree of flexibility (at the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle), this is not exceptional when compared to other members of the genus, notablyT. oswaldi . Not only are traits similar in both species, but there is a wide range of variation and overlap in both. Features historically used to reconstructT. brumpti as more arboreal are interpreted here as part of a suite of traits that characterize early Theropithecus . This suite of traits may instead be adaptations to manual terrestrial foraging, in particular adaptations related to forest floor locomotion and gleaning, which may be primitive for Theropithecus and possibly for papionins. This interpretation of the paleobiology of T. burmpti compared to that of T. oswaldi offers a parallel with hominins. New fossil evidence suggests use of terrestrial substrates in more woodland habitats for late Miocene to early Pliocene hominins, in contrast to more open habitats associated with later hominins. Therefore, this dissertation develops a framework for understanding the woodland to grassland transition among large bodied primates including hominins. / Committee in charge: Stephen Frost， Chairperson； Frances White， Member； John Lukacs， Member； Samantha Hopkins， Outside Member

Reservas Indígenas têm tido um papel imprescindível na manutenção de áreas florestais na região neotropical. Existe na Amazônia uma clara associação entre estas reservas e a presença de cobertura florestal. Por outro lado, a simples presença de uma vegetação contínua não é garantia de conservação da biodiversidade, sobretudo em contextos onde a caça é presente. Este estudo analisou a pressão de caça sobre Macacoprego (Cebus apella) e Bugio (Alouatta belzebul), realizada pelos índios Guajá, da comunidade Awá (Maranhão, Brasil). A análise se baseou no conjunto de crânios e mandíbulas de indivíduos consumidos no local no final dos anos 1980. A análise de sustentabilidade se baseou em dois métodos principais, no Modelo de Produção e na análise do padrão intra-específico de abate. A aplicação do modelo de produção indicou uma caça acima dos níveis sustentáveis para as duas espécies, numa área efetiva de caça de 78,5 km2. Mesmo com a incorporação de uma área fonte, que resultou numa área total de 314 km2, o modelo continuou indicando uma caça não sustentável de Bugio. A análise do padrão intra-específico de abate, realizada somente para Bugio, indicou uma proporção de machos e adultos na amostra de Bugios abatidos significativamente maior do que aquela esperada para o gênero Alouatta, o que indica um padrão de caça não aleatório. Conjugando a análise quantitativa com os fatores locais de ordem demográfica e sóciocultural foi possível verificar a presença de fatores positivos e negativos à sustentabilidade no local. A ausência de caça comercial, o fato das duas espécies não serem naturalmente raras, a prática de expedições de caça de longa duração, e evidências de baixa proporção de fêmeas entre os Bugios abatidos se configuram como fatores positivos à sustentabilidade. Já os fatores que comprometem a manutenção das duas espécies na área são: a proximidade com centros urbanos e acesso a armas de fogo, o crescimento da população indígena, a baixa taxa intrínseca de crescimento natural dos primatas e a alta susceptibilidade de Bugio à caça. As previsões geradas neste estudo parecem estar corretas uma vez que é consenso entre os Guajá da comunidade Awá que há um processo de diminuição na disponibilidade de primatas, entre outras espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte, nos arredores do assentamento. O declínio de presas nas proximidades do assentamento tem aumentado a freqüência de retiros de caça de longa duração. Atualmente na comunidade Awá, estes retiros parecem reproduzir uma maior mobilidade existente antes do contato e conseqüente fixação. Essa dinâmica demonstra a importância do estabelecimento de Reservas Indígenas de tamanho adequado, oferecendo condições para que as comunidades assentadas possam se ajustar às flutuações locais de presas antes que o impacto local na fauna seja irreversível. / Indigenous lands have a crucial role in the preservation of Neotropical forests. In the Amazon there is clear association between indigenous land and forest cover. However, the simple presence of continuous vegetation doesn\'t guarantee the conservation of biodiversity, especially in the context where hunting is practiced. The present study analyzed hunting pressure on capuchin (Cebus apella) and howler monkeys (Alouatta belzebul) caused by Guajá indigenous people from Awá community (Maranhão sate, Brazil). The analysis was based on a set of skulls and mandibles from individual monkeys consumed at the Guajá settlement in the late 80\'s. Sustainability analyses were based on two models, the Production Model, and the Intraspecific Prey Choice. The development of the production model predicted hunting above sustainable levels for the two species, within an effective hunting area of 78,5 km2. Even with the incorporation of a source-area, which resulted in a total area of 314 km2, the model predicted unsustainable hunting for howler monkey. The Intraspecific Prey Choice analysis, done only for howler monkey, resulted in statistically significant higher proportion of males and adults in the sample than the one expected for the genus Alouatta if howler monkeys were hunted randomly. When quantitative analysis and local demographic and social-cultural factors were taken into consideration, it was possible to observe positive and negative aspects to local sustainability. The lack of marketable hunting, the fact that both species are not naturally rare, the practice of long-distance hunting, and the evidence of low proportion of howler monkey females killed, are all positive factors for sustainability. On the other hand, the proximity to urban centers, easy access to shot-guns, demographic growth of indigenous population, the low intrinsic reproductive level of howler monkeys, the high susceptibility of howler monkey to hunting, and the high proportion of adults killed, are all negative factors for sustainability. The predictions the present study generated seem to be corrected, for it is a consensus among the Guajá from Awá community that there is a current process of decreasing primate availability, among other large- and medium-sized mammals within the surrounding areas. One of the consequences of game-decrease in the proximity of the Awá settlement has been the increase in the frequency of long-distance hunting. Presently, this mobility pattern among Awá community seems to mimic pre-contact high mobility pattern. This dynamic demonstrates the importance of creating indigenous lands of adequate size that offers conditions for sustainable traditional subsistence patterns.

O Brasil tem cerca de 133 espécie s e subespécie de primatas, das quais cerca de 35% são endêmicas. A ocupação e destruição cada vez maior dos ambientes naturais somadas a caça e o comércio ilegal de animais silvestres deixou algumas espécies de primatas seriamente ameaçadas de extinção. O presente estudo trata da morfologia do aparelho reprodutor de fêmeas de bugio (Alouatta caraya e Alouatta guariba clamitans), cujos resultados podem subsidiar pesquisas de reprodução visando sua conservação. Dez aparelhos reprodutores foram estudados macro e microscopicamente pelas técnicas de microscopia de luz e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. As idades das fêmeas foram estimadas utilizando-se uma chave dental. Os resultados mostraram que a vulva em Alouatta assemelha-se a genitália externa dos machos. O útero é simples e piriforme, caracterizado por uma cérvix longa. A musculatura cervical mostra-se bem desenvolvida e a musculatura uterina está organizada de uma maneira peculiar. O epitélio vaginal não mostrou sofrer alterações cíclicas. A característica mais significativa foi a presença de grandes quantidades de tecido intersticial glandular nos compactos ovários. De uma maneira geral a morfologia do aparelho reprodutor das fêmeas de bugio mostram similaridades com outras espécies de Platyrrhinii e poucas diferenças interespecíficas (Alouatta caraya-Alouatta gurariba clamitans). / Brazil has about 133 primate?s species and subespecies among which 35% are endemic. The land occupation, the natural environments destruction, hunting and the illegal commerce of wild animals left some species seriously threatened of extinction. The present study deals with the morphology of the reproductive tract of howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans and Alouatta caraya), wich data can subdize further reproduction researches, aiming its conservation. Ten female reproductive tract were studied microscopically and macroscopically. The age of the animals was estimated using a dental-age key, most of them were sexually mature. Representative fragments of the uterus, ovary, uterine tube and vagina were cut and prepared for histology and scanning electron microscopy. Our data showed that the Alouatta female vulva resembles the external genitalia of the male. The uterus are pyriform and caracterized by a long cervix. The muscular layer of the cervix was well developed and the musculature of the body of the uterus showed a particular organization. The vaginal epitheliium showd no ciclic alterations. The most significant feature found seems to be the presence of abundant glandular interstitial tissue in the compact ovaries. The female reproductive tract morphology of the howler monkey showed similarities with other Platyrrhini and few interespecific (Alouatta guariba clamitans ?Alouatta caraya) differences.