| Research Abstract |
Initiation of a data-base on the diet and the potential pharmacological activities thereof of primates, taking several representative species of the Asian and African Great apes (chimpanzee, orangutan, gorilla), Old World monkeys (Japanese macaques, Toque macaques etc.), New World monkeys (howlers, capuchin etc.) and prosimeans was undertaken. This is part of a large project looking into the self-medicative behavior of primates from the perspective of behavioral ecology and primate parasite ecology. This research attempts to look at intrinsic medicinal potential of the diet from a non-nutritional standpoint, look at the potential of the bioactive properties of ingested items for the maintenances of health, control of parasite infection and its curative properties. This data is fundamental first step for systematically exploring more widely the potential of self-medication in the order Primates.
In summary the following 4 main points were achieved during the two years that this project w
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as funded.
1) In 2005 a 640 page paperback bound volume entitled "A Study of Primate Self-medication" was produced and 100 copies made for distribution to libraries and specialists in primate feeding ecology. This was done to stimulate further research in this area and to elicite collaborations with colleagues looking as primate species that have not yet been systematically investigated regarding this topic. This volume includes all of the 48 published works between 1989 and 2004 of the author and other members of his research group, The C.H.I.L.M.P.P. Group, engaged in the study of primate self medication, pharmacology, parasitology and other related fields to this research.
2) Based on the contents of this volume, a home page version with color photos, located within the author's institution web site was created. The introductory opening section was translated into 6 languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, Italian, German and Sinhalese for Sri Lankans) for gseater outreach to potential collaborators and the general public. (See : http:www.pro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/shakai-seitai/seitai/huffman/index.html). As of March 22, 2006 the site has received 1563 hits.
3) The collection of literature on the feeding habits and food lists of various primate species were collected. The following number of plant foods was entered into the database of each species listed and their pharmacological and ethnomedicinal uses searched and listed when present : chimpanzees (N=550 plant species), orangutan (N=551), Japanese macaque (N=515), shifaka (N=242), howler monkeys (N=109). To date the following primate species' food lists have been thoroughly checked for potential biological activity : chimpanzee (12 reports found : 36/550 plant species found to have medicinal uses), Japanese macaques (81;287/515).
4) Two trips were made to Sri Lanka, visiting 10 potential study sites for the study of macaques and langurs. Consultations with local scientists were made and future collaborative research into primate studies were discussed. Less
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