2018 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Face and lips coloration as a fertility signal in women
| Project/Area Number |
18H05810
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Research Institution | Kyoto University |
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Principal Investigator |
RIGAILL LUCIE 京都大学, 霊長類研究所, 特定助教 (40828894)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2018-08-24 – 2020-03-31
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| Keywords | sexual communication / fertility / human / lips / visual signal |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Last year, I have conducted a pilot study to assess the efficiency of my methods. I have then recruited and sampled my participants (saliva and photo) and started some coloration measurements and laboratory work. I have presented my research project at 2 national congresses (French-speaking society of Primatology -Paris, France; Primate Society of Primatology -Tokyo, Japan) and received positive feedback. I have also presented my research area during two invited seminars in France (Musee de l'Homme, Paris) and Japan (Kyoto University, Kyoto). I have also been working on data from my previous research which focuses on the role of face coloration but in a non-human primate model, the Japanese macaques. One paper is now under final revision for the Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology journal.
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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
Although I could sample less participants than wanted, I still have a solid sample of participants to produce strong statistical results that can be compared with previous studies of human and non-human primates. Overall, the recruitment and sampling processes went smoothly and I have now all the data needed to complete the analyses. I have been also quite productive in working on other related works (one paper under revisions, one ready to submit) which will greatly contribute to my main research area (sexual signaling in primates). In conclusion, I have respected most of my research plan with satisfying outcomes.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
During the first semester, I will analyses all my data, from laboratory cork (hormonal assays), color measurements (lips and cheeks color), to statistical analyses (with R software). I will present the results of this work in an international meeting, the congress of the European Federation for Primatology in UK (September). I am planning to write a paper that I aim to submit at the beginning of the second semester (October). From October, I will focus on applying to other grants and research position to continue and extend this work, with the aim of keeping studying female skin coloration and fertility in human and non-human primates.
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