2015 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Phenotypic and genotypic disparity in Sri Lankan primates: Dissecting a species from its morphology, ecology, parasites and genes
| Project/Area Number |
26440258
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| Research Institution | Kyoto University |
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Principal Investigator |
M・A Huffman 京都大学, 霊長類研究所, 准教授 (10335242)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
川本 芳 京都大学, 霊長類研究所, 准教授 (00177750)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
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| Keywords | phylogeography / speciation / phenotypic traits / genotypic variation / toque macaque / purple face langur / grey langur / Sri Lanka |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
In H27 we were successful in accomplishing all research goals. Based on our continual updating and evaluation of results the three following major results were obtained: 1) Inter-population variation in tail length in toque macaques (TM) was noticed, length decreasing with altitude. To assess this trait and its possible sub-species variation, we developed a non-invasive method for assessment of this phenotypical trait using full-body-profile photographs of monkeys to quantify the relative lengths of tail and trunk across populations using digital images. Quantification is done using 'pixel distance' derived from mouse drawn lines along the contour of tail and trunk. This method allows us to calculate a ratio of two morphological traits, without the need to control for distance from the monkey. Validation of this method is underway based on 172 TM photos taken in the H26 and H27 field seasons from 23 different troops representative of the three phenotypically classified TM sub-species and secondarily grouped into our two recognized haplotype clusters A & B. 2) Primers have been made and tested to sample for macaque malaria parasites. These will be used to investigate possible TM sub-species - malaria co-evolution. 3) Several populations of PFL and GL color morph have been discovered and fecal samples are being collected to investigate the possibility of regional specific candidate genes (MC1R) for coat color mutation. So far, there is no report on the coat color mutant caused by this gene in non-human primates. It may provide new perspectives on sub-species differences.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
1: Research has progressed more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The establishment of a methodology for non-invasive morphometric measurement to investigate possible regional, altitudinal and sub-species differences in phenotypical traits, the development of primers for genetic classification of macaque malaria and the discovery of color morphs among sympatric PFL and GL will now allow us to evaluate the phenotypic and genotypic disparity of Sri Lankan primates. A preliminary comparative DNA study was conducted for the PFL and GL. There was inconsistency between morphology and mtDNA types. In the cluster analysis, some of PFL formed a cohesive inner cluster but GL showed a mixed inner cluster with PFL types. Additionally, there were some very divergent mtDNA types forming outer clusters. This finding of inconsistency is a new important research subject which be useful in elucidating the evolutionary background of non-human primates in Sri Lanka.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Since last year, in collaboration with our local counterpart in Sri Lanka, long-term monitoring at Mihintale, a study site where the TM, PFL and GL live sympatrically, has begun and systematic sampling of behavior, ecology, and intestinal parasites have begun. This will enhance our understanding of inter-species interactions at contact zones. Our island wide survey will also continue. Phylogeographical characteristics of langurs will be investigated by increasing the survey sites to evaluate biological boundaries or areas of mixing of focal morphological and molecular traits. Finally, zoogeographical features of Sri Lankan non-human primates will be synthetically compared with the research results of our colleagues studying macaques and langurs in other South and Southeast Asian countries in the fall. Between October 17~19, 2017 we will co-host an international symposium where the results of our research program will be presented.
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