2017 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Infant handling and social integration of infants and juveniles in wild Japanese macaques
| Project/Area Number |
17F17770
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| Research Institution | Kyoto University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
KUBENOVA BARBORA 京都大学, 霊長類研究所, 外国人特別研究員
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| Project Period (FY) |
2017-11-10 – 2020-03-31
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| Keywords | social network / infant handling / maternal care / maternal style / social integration |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Our study focuses on the relationship between maternal and non-maternal care and infant behaviour in Japanese macaques on Yakushima. It is based on the behavioural data collection in two groups of individually recognized macaques, specifically focal observation of females and immature individuals (up to 3 years of age). In FYA 2017 we prepared the method for the observation, including electronic forms and description of recorded behaviour (ethogram), which has not been previously available for rarely studied immatures. We found two groups of macaques suitable for the study, described and learned how to recognize all members (about 90 individuals together). We started with the data collection in one of the groups (group A), data collection in the second (group B) is about to start now.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The main aim for the FY 2017 was theoretical and practical preparation for the data collection. The pilot study in December 2017-January 2018 led into the decision to reduce the number of studied groups (2 instead of planned 3 groups), but inclusion of juvenile individuals along with infants. This was based on compositions of available groups, which was previously unknown.
In the study group A, the data collection started during the pilot study, which was earlier than expected. Second group, however, appeared to be too difficult to follow in April and had to be changed. Thus the data collection in group B could not start in April, but May. However, the delay is balanced with the faster progress in group A.
In March, the RA was trained for the data collection, as planned.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Our aim for FY 2018 is to collect the majority of the behavioural data. During the first field season (March-August 2018) we estimate to collect about 800 hours of the behavioural data, with the current focus on the group B (where the data collection is delayed) and on new born infants, who have not yet been followed. We will also collect fecal samples (3 from all studied macaques), which will be used to test paternity to assess the role of male-infant relatedness and also investigate whether social relationships are related to parasitism and immunological factors.
In September-November 2018, the behavioural data will be managed for the social network analysis. Another field season will be scheduled depending on the amount of the collected data and progress in the management and first analyses.
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