Chronobiological aspects of primate research

doi:10.1017/CBO9781139165105.019

17 - Chronobiological aspects of primate research

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012

Hans G. Erkert

Edited by

Joanna M. Setchell and

Deborah J. Curtis

Show author details

Hans G. Erkert: Affiliation:
University of Tübingen
Joanna M. Setchell: Affiliation:
University of Surrey, Roehampton
Deborah J. Curtis: Affiliation:
University of Surrey, Roehampton

Book contents

Get access

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Terrestrial animals live in an environment that undergoes regular variations, ultimately induced by the geophysical conditions prevailing in our solar/earth system. Solar radiation and gravity, in combination with the earth's rotation around its inclined axis and its orbit around the sun, and the moon's revolution around earth, produce marked diurnal, seasonal and lunar as well as tidal periodicities in important physical environmental factors, such as light intensity, ambient temperature, humidity, precipitation, day and night length, and duration of twilight. As a consequence of these periodicities being superimposed on one another, many relevant biotic environmental factors, such as food availability and predator pressure, as well as social contact, communication and competition with conspecifics, and intra- and interspecific competition for food may also vary diurnally, seasonally, lunar periodically or tidally. In this way each animal's environment has a highly complex time structure, is highly repetitive in time and thus highly predictive. Reliable predictivity provides a good substrate for genetically fixed adaptations. Hence, in addition to other general or specific physiological, ecological and/or behavioural adaptations, animals have also evolved endogenous diurnal (circadian), annual (circannual), lunar (circalunar) and/or tidal (circatidal) rhythms.

In non-human primates (in the following referred to only as primates), adaptation to the time structure in their physical and biotic environment is restricted mainly to the development of a circadian timing system involved in the regulation of the pronounced daily (circadian) organisation of physiology and behaviour.

Type: Chapter
Information: Field and Laboratory Methods in Primatology
A Practical Guide
, pp. 252 - 270

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139165105.019 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Albers, H. E., Lydic, R., Gander, P. H. & Moore-Ede, M. C. (1984). Role of suprachiasmatic nuclei in the circadian timing system of the squirrel monkey. I. The generation of rhythmicity. Brain Res.300, 275–84

Alonso, C. (1989).Ecologiae comportamento de Callithrix jacchus (Primates: Callitrichidae) numa ilha de floresta atlantica. Rev. Nordest. Biol 6 105–37Google Scholar

Aschoff, J. & Tokura, H. (1986). Circadian activity rhythms in squirrel monkeys: entrainment by temperature cycles. J. Biol. Rhythms 1 91–9CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Aschoff, J., Daan, S. & Honma, K. I. (1982). Zeitgebers, entrainment, and masking: some unsettled questions. In Vertebrate Circadian Systems. Structure and Physiology, ed. J. Aschoff, S. Daan & G. A. Groos, pp. 13–24. Berlin: Springer-VerlagCrossRef

Bearder, S. K., Nekaris, K. A. I. & Buzzell, C. A. (2002). Dangers in the night: are some nocturnal primates afraid of the dark? In Eat or be Eaten. Predator Sensitive Foraging Among Primates, ed. L. E. Miller, pp. 21–43. Cambridge: Cambridge University PressCrossRef

Colquhoun, I. C. (1998). Cathemeral behaviour of Eulemur macaco macaco at Ambato Massif, Madagascar. Folia Primatol. 69 22–34CrossRef Google Scholar

Curtis, D. J. & Rasmussen, M. A. (2002). Cathemerality in lemurs. Evol. Anthropol. 11, Suppl. 1, 83–6CrossRef Google Scholar

Curtis, D. J.Zaramody, A. & Martin, R. D. (1999). Cathemeral activity in the mongoose lemur, Eulemur mongoz Am. J. Primatol. 47, 279–983.0.CO;2-U>CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Donati, G.Lunardi, A.Kappeler, P. M. & Borgognini Tarli, S. M. (2001). Nocturnal activity in the cathemeral red-fronted lemur (Eulemur fulvus rufus), with observations during a lunar eclipseAm. J. Primatol. 53 69–783.0.CO;2-R>CrossRef Google Scholar

DuMond, F. V. (1968). The squirrel monkey in a seminatural environment. In The Squirrel Monkey, ed. L. A. Rosenblum & R. W. Cooper, pp. 87–145. New York: Academic PressCrossRef

Engqvist, A. & Richard, A. (1991). Diet as a possible determinant of cathemeral activity patterns in primates. Folia Primatol. 57 169–72CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Erkert, H. G. (1974). Der Einfluss des Mondlichtes auf die Aktivitätsperiodik nachtaktiver SäugetiereOecologia 14 269–87CrossRef Google Scholar

Erkert, H. G., (1989a). Lighting requirements of nocturnal primates in captivity: a chronobiological approach. Zoo Biol 8 179–91CrossRef Google Scholar

Erkert, H. G., (1989b). Characteristics of the circadian activity rhythm in common marmosets (Callithrix j. jacchus). Am. J. Primatol. 17 271–86CrossRef Google Scholar

Erkert, H. G., (1997). Characteristics of the circadian activity rhythm in common marmosets (Callithrix j. jacchus). Am. J. Primatol. 17 271–86CrossRef Google Scholar

Erkert, H. G. (1997). Circadian rhythms in the marmoset: their significance for fundamental and applied research. In Marmosets and Tamarins in Biological and Biomedical Research, ed. C. H. Pryce, L. Scott & C. H. Schnell, pp. 128–44. Salisbury: DSSD Imagery

Erkert, H. G. (1999). Owl monkeys. In The UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory Animals, 7th edition, ed. T. Poole & P. English, pp. 574–90. Oxford: Blackwell

Erkert, H. G. & Gröber, J. (1986). Direct modulation of activity and body temperature of owl monkeys (Aotus lemurinus griseimembra) by low light intensities. Folia Primatol 47 171–88CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Erkert, H. G. & Schardt, U. (1991). Social entrainment of circadian activity rhythms in common marmosets, Callithrix j. jacchus (Primates). Ethology 87 189–202CrossRef Google Scholar

Erkert, H. G.Nagel, B. & Schanz, F.Thiemann-Jäger, A. (1984). Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Chronobiologie nichtmenschlicher PrimatenVerh. Dt. Zool. Ges. 77 217Google Scholar

Farrer, D. N. & Ternes, J. W. (1969). Illumination intensity and behavioral circadian rhythms. In Circadian Rhythms in Nonhuman Primates, ed. F. H. Rohles, Bibl. Primat. Ges. 9 1–7 Basel: S. Karger

Glass, J. D.Tardiff, S. D. & Mrosowsky, N. (2001). Photic and nonphotic circadian phase resetting in a diurnal primate, the common marmosetAm. J. Physiol 280 R191–R197Google Scholar

Hawking, F. & Lobban, M. C. (1970). Circadian rhythms in macaca monkeys (physical activity, temperature, urine and microfilarial levels). J. Interdisc. Cycle Res. 1 267–90CrossRef Google Scholar

Kerl, J. & Rothe, H. (1996). Influence of cage size and cage equipment on physiology and behavior of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Lab. Prim. News. 35 10–13Google Scholar

Klein D. C., Moore, R. Y & Reppert, S. M. (eds.) (1991). Suprachiasmatic Nucleus. The Mind's Clock. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press

Kremers, J., Silveira, L. C. L., Yamada, E. S. & Lee, B. B. (1999). The ecology and evolution of primate color vision. In Color Vision: From Genes to Perception, ed. K. R. Gegenfurter & L. T. Sharpe, pp. 123–42. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Lerchl, A.Küderling, I.Kurre, J. & Fuchs, E. (1988). Locomotor activity registration by passive infrared detection in saddle back tamarins and tree shrews. Physiol. Behav. 44 281–84CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Martin, R. D. (1990). Primate Origins and Evolution: A Phylogenetic Reconstruction. London: Chapman & Hall

Martinez, J. L. (1988). Effects of selected illumination levels on circadian periodicity in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). J. Interdisc. Cycle Res 3 47–59CrossRef Google Scholar

Michael, R. P. & Bonsall, R. W. (1977). A 3-year study of an annual rhythm in plasma androgen levels in male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) in a constant laboratory environment. J. Reprod. Fert. 49 129–31CrossRef Google Scholar

Moore, R. Y. (1999). Circadian timing. In Fundamental Neuroscience, ed. M. J. Zigmond, F. E. Bloom, S. C. Landis, J. L. Roberts & L. R. Squire, pp. 1189–206. San Diego, CA: Academic Press

Moore-Ede, M. C., Sulzman, F. M. & Fuller, C. A. (1982). The Clocks that Time Us: Physiology of the Circadian Timing System. Cambridge, MA, London: Harvard University Press

Nash, L. T. (1986). Influence of moonlight levels on travelling and calling patterns in two sympatric species of Galago in Kenya. In Current Perspectives in Primate Social Dynamics, ed. D. M. Taub & F. A. King, pp. 357–67. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co

Nash, L. T. (2000). Encounter rate estimates on Lepilemur leucopus and Microcebus murinus at Neza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Southwestern Madagascar. Lemur News5, 38–40

Niemitz, C. (1984). Biology of Tarsiers. Stuttgart, New York: Gustav Fischer Verlag

Overdorff, D. J. & Rasmussen, M. A. (1995). Determinants of nighttime activity in “diurnal” lemurid primates. In Creatures of the Dark: The Nocturnal Prosimians, ed. L. G. Alterman, G. A. Doyle & K. Izard, pp. 61–74. New York: Plenum PressCrossRef

Pálková, M.Sigmund, L. & Pálková, M. (1999). Effect of ambient temperature on the circadian activity rhythm in common marmosets, Callithrix j. jacchus (Primates). Chronobiol. Int. 16 149–61CrossRef Google Scholar

Pereira, M. E., Strohecker, R. A., Cavigelli, S. A. Hughes, C. L. & Pearson, D. D. (1999). Metabolic strategy and social behavior in Lemuridae. In New Directions in Lemur Studies, ed. B. Rakotosamimanana, H. Rasamimanana, J. U. Ganzhorn & S. M. Goodman, pp. 93–118. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum PublishersCrossRef

Petter-Rousseaux, A. (1975). Activité sexuelle de Microcebus murinus (Miller 1777) soumis à des régimes photopériodiques experimenteaux. Ann. Biol. Anim. Biochem. Biophys. 15 503–8CrossRef Google Scholar

Plant, T. M.Zumpe, D.Dauls, M. & Michael, R. P. (1974). An annual rhythm in the plasma testosterone of adult male rhesus monkeys maintained in the laboratory. J. Endocr. 62 403–4CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Rappold, I. & Erkert, H. G. (1994). Re-entrainment, phase-response and range of entrainment of circadian rhythms in owl monkeys (Aotus lemurinus g.) of different age. Biol. Rhythm Res 25 133–52CrossRef Google Scholar

Rauth-Widmann, B.Thiemann-Jäger, A. & Erkert, H. G. (1991). Significance of nonparametric light effects in entrainment of circadian rhythms in owl monkeys (Aotus lemurinus griseimembra) by light–dark cycles. Chronobiol. Int. 8 251–66CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Richter, C. P. (1968). Inherent twenty-four and lunar clocks of a primate – the squirrel monkey. Comm. Behav. Biol. 1 305–32Google Scholar

Schilling, A.Richard, J. P. & Servi`re, J. (1999). Duration of activity and period of circadian activity–rest rhythm in a photoperiod-dependent primate, Microcebus murinus. C. R. Acad. Sci. 322 759–70CrossRef Google Scholar

Schnell, C. R. & Wood, J. M. (1993). Measurement of blood pressure and heart rate by telemetry in conscious, unrestrained marmosets. Am. J. Physiol. 264 H1509–H1516Google Scholar PubMed

Sulzman, F. M.Fuller, C. A. & Moore-Ede, M. C. (1977a). Environmental synchronizers of squirrel monkey circadian rhythms. J. Appl. Physiol. 43 795–800CrossRef Google Scholar

Sulzman, F. M. (1977b). Feeding time synchronizes primate circadian rhythms. Physiol. Behav 18 775–9CrossRef Google Scholar

Sulzman, F. M. (1979). Tonic effects of light on the circadian system of the squirrel monkey. J. Comp. Physiol 129 43–50CrossRef Google Scholar

Tattersall, I. (1982). The Primates of Madagascar. New York: Columbia University Press

Tattersall, I. (1987). Cathemeral activity in primates: a definitionJ. Comp. Physiol 49 200–2Google Scholar

The Astronomical Almanac. Issued each year by The Nautical Almanac Office, U.S.A. and Her Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office, Royal Greenwich Observatory. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; London: HMSO

Thomas, R. M. & Curtis, D. J. (2001). A novel software application for the study of photoperiodic cueing mechanisms underlying circadian and circannual rhythms and lunar-periodic modulationsFolia Primatol 72 187Google Scholar

Tokura, H. & Aschoff, J. (1978). Circadian activity rhythms of the pig-tailed macaque, Macaca nemestrina, under constant illumination. Pflùgers Arch. 376 241–3CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Tokura, H. & Aschoff, J. (1983). Effects of temperature on the circadian rhythm of pig-tailed macaques Macaca nemestrinaAm. J. Physiol 245 R800–R804Google Scholar PubMed

Horn, R. N. (1975). Primate breeding season: photoperiodic regulation in captive Lemur catta. Folia Primatol. 24 203–20CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Schaik, C. P. & Kappeler, P. M. (1996). The social systems of gregarious lemurs: lack of convergence with anthropoids due to evolutionary disequilibrium?Ethology 102 915–41CrossRef Google Scholar

Wechselberger, E. (1995). Characteristika und Mechanismen der Synchronisation der Circadianperiodik des Weissbüscheläffchens, Callithrix j. jacchus. Ph.D. thesis, University of Tübingen

Wright, P. C. (1989). The nocturnal primate niche in the New World. J. Hum. Evol. 18 635–46CrossRef Google Scholar

Yellin, A. M. & Hauty, G. T. (1971). Activity cycles of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) under several experimental conditions, both in isolation and in a group situation. J. Interdisc. Cycle Res. 2 475–90CrossRef Google Scholar

Book contents

17 - Chronobiological aspects of primate research

Summary

Access options

References

Save book to Kindle

Save book to Dropbox

Save book to Google Drive