Assignment
Primate Behavior Report
Option 2: Online Video
For this option, please watch the 15-minute online video YouTube video showing monkeys at Edinburgh Zoo (Scotland):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay-7LNMab40&feature=plcp&context=C38500f3UDOEgsToPDskKOmqiuX4v40WJLTyokCdCb
The 15-minute video shows individuals from two species of monkeys living together in an outdoor group at the Living Links to Human Evolution Research Centre in Edinburgh Zoo. The group includes brown capuchin monkeys (Cebusapella) and common squirrel monkeys (Saimirisciureus) living together in a mixed group. You can find out more information about the groups at website www.living-links.org. Completing the this option will allow you to learn some of the same skills for observing primates as used for actual zoo observations.
Use two different methods for observing the monkeys in this video. For one method (continuous focal follow), watch one individual ( Popeye) and do a continuous follow for 15-minutes, indicating all of his behaviors and also noting if monkeys interact with him. The second method is a scan sample of the group - every minute stop the video and write down what all the animals (who are in frame on the video) are doing (including directions of any social interactions).
You may have to view the video several times, as you practice each method of behavioral observations for your Primate Report. After collecting the behavioral data, please complete each section of this report. Please cite all sources used to prepare your report and include list in bibliography at end of your report.
Part I. Date, Location and Conditions
• Place where the video was taken; provide name and location of the zoo.
• Weather or other conditions at time of filming.
Part II. Primates
• Sex and ages (or age ranges) of the primate(s) observed (if known). Please note the individuals and species/age class/sex that you can observe in the video. You also may be able to find out further information about the group at the living-links website.
• What two species are shown in the video? Provide complete genus, species names.
• Summarize the natural habitat and geographic distribution of ONE of the two primate species in the natural world. (You may find out this information from Primate Fact Sheets found at the Primate Info Net website, https://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets, in addition to information provided at living-links or Edinburgh zoo website).
Part III: Behaviors
• Describe at least five (5) behavior patterns that you observed for one of the species. Define each of these behaviors (see table below)
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Behavior
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Operational Definition
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Function
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Number of times Observed?
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Demonstrated by which species? (or both)
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• Compare and contrast the observed behaviors with those of human beings. Are there similar behavior patterns in humans? Why or why not?
• Compare and contrast the two methods (focal follow and scan sample) that you used for observing primate behavior in the video. Which method did you find more challenging for your observations? Which method would you recommend for collecting time budget data (i.e., how group spends their time) for primates?
• How might the captive environment influence the non-human primate behaviors you observed?
Part IV: Conclusions and Reflections
• Conclusions and Reflections: What are your conclusions about the similarities in non-human primate behaviors and human behaviors? Were the behaviors different than you expected? How do the primate behaviors show adaptation to the environment?
Part V. : Bibliography (please list all sources used to prepare this report)
Part VI: Any Other Comments? (optional)