37th meeting of the American Society of Primatologists (ASP): Poster Session

A PDF of my baboon handedness poster for this year's 37th meeting of the American Society of Primatologists (ASP) is now available on Academia.edu and ResearchGate. Thanks to those that stopped by my poster with valuable feedback and comments. 

ASP 2014: Decatur, GA

Good things come in threes: lemurs, monkeys, and apes; bacon, bacon, and bacon; ISBE, ABS, and ASP. In just a few days, I will be flying to Decatur, GA for the 37th meeting of the American Society of Primatologists (ASP). This will only be my second time attending ASP but I am already looking forward to meeting old friends and making new ones.

Traveling along with me will be my hamadryas baboon handedness poster, the same research I have presented at ISBE and ABS. Thanks for all the positive feedback and comments from both previous conferences. I have taken them into consideration and hopefully will present a much better poster at ASP. As always, I will have the PDF version of the poster up in this blog on the day of my poster presentation.

As per the current ASP conference schedule, my poster will be on Saturday, September 13th from 7 PM to 9 PM. That will be Session 1, and my poster is #75 (see abstract).

Also, of interest, is the Student Committee Meeting scheduled for Friday, September 12th at 3 PM in Avondale (room name). All students are invited to join us for this committee meeting and we are actively seeking students to participate in this committee. So, if you are a student that is attending ASP and is reading this. COME JOIN US!

See you all at ASP!

NEPEEB: Nor'Eastern Primate Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Group

The first ever Nor'Eastern Primate Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Group (NEPEEB) will be held on November 7th and 8th at Rutgers University. For the past few years, I have been going to the midwest chapter of primate interest group (MPIG) but I'm glad that the northeast finally has it's own primate group.

I am still debating if I should present my work at NEPEEB. Maybe submit my hamadryas baboon handedness as a talk instead of poster?

The form should be filled and emailed to Dr. Carola Borries at nepeeb.group@gmail.com. Abstract submission and registration deadline is September 1st, 2014. Click on the link for NEPEEB registration form (shared through Google Drive): https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3OxItGc--acXzVMaXg5QVdjNGM/edit?usp=sharing

See you there?

ABC Students' Posters at Animal Behavior Society (ABS) 2014 Conference

I am really delighted to write this post because I want to showcase the work that my colleagues and I presented at Animal Behavior Society (ABS) conference in Princeton University last week. You cannot fathom my unduly excitement that for once I was able to showcase my work along with my colleagues at a conference. Why is this important, you might ask. Well, it's important because for once I felt like there was some form of team spirit at the conference. In a sense, I am not the only person representing my program at the conference but a cohesive group of grad students presenting their hard work and disseminating science. GO ABC!

I am no stranger to conferences. I go to conferences whenever possible. In fact, the two reasons I go to conferences is to showcase my work, as well as socializing and networking. Most conferences I go to are primate-related, and because my program has a diverse population of graduate students studying different kinds of animals, I generally never see any of my "primate colleagues" at conferences.

While this is my first year at ABS, this is also my first time presenting my work along with my colleagues. It feels great that my Master's program is well represented, both in attendance as well as presentation. Another first for me was to have a colleague presenting her work on hamadryas baboons. Remember I said I never see any primate colleagues at conferences? Well, this time, not only is she a "primate colleague", she also studies my favorite primate! Two hamadryas baboon posters at a non-primatology conference. Ha! Unheard of (maybe). The stars were aligned indeed.

Here are some of the graduate students from the Animal Behavior and Conservation (ABC) program and their posters (with permission from owner), including mine in the bottom.

P/S - Hope we made you proud, Dr. Chase.

For the official abstracts from the ABS 2014 program, please click here.

Leila Gastil
Assessment of Relationship Quality between Male and Female Hamadryas Baboons (Papio hamadryas)

This study offers insight into the social dynamics of dyadic relationships in a captive Hamadryas population. The Hamadryas baboon has a uniquely stable, patrilineal, multi-level social structure with a pattern of involuntary female dispersion. Four Hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas) one male units (OMUs) were observed at the North Carolina Zoo. Relationship quality was evaluated through the relative levels of grooming equality, male aggression, female avoidance, non-responsiveness to social signals, frequency of head/trunk versus limb/tail grooming, anxiety, non-responsiveness to social signals, and the contextual meanings associated with gaze. The analyses identified three dynamic OMU leadership styles: “Reciprocal”— in which antagonism was low and the lead male occasionally groomed females in his harem, “Antagonistic”— in which antagonism was high and the lead male failed to groom any females in his harem, and “Initial”— in which antagonism was moderately high and the young male occasionally groomed his females. The analysis supported the hypothesis that grooming built and maintained “loyalty and trust” in Hamadryas baboons (Leinfelder et al., 2001), thereby, reducing tension and hostility within dyads and as a result, OMU size was larger and the status higher of those males who groom their females.

Lillian Ciardelli
Assessment of Personality in Captive California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus)

Although the field of animal personality research is growing, information on pinniped personality is lacking. This is surprising considering the prominent role that many pinnipeds play in zoos and aquariums and the many applications of personality knowledge for captive animals. The present study aimed to develop a personality survey for sea lions as well as determine if individual animals showed consistent differences in training behavior. An additional aim was to see if personality profiles correlated with sea lion training styles. The personality survey was created using a combination etic-emic approach. Sea lion trainers from the five Wildlife Conservation Society parks in New York filled out surveys about the California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) with whom they work (19 total across all parks). The trainers also filled out a daily training log from October 2013 to January 2014. I will present the completed analyses to date on the personality profiles. The quantification of individual differences in sea lion behavior holds the potential to improve their care in captivity through development of different training methods for different personalities.

Melissa Fenton

Odor Discrimination in Captive Felids as Revealed by a Habituation Procedure

Discrimination of various stimuli is key in understanding how learning and memory works in animals. When it comes to felids, the extent of odor memory has not been extensively studied. The present study investigates odor discrimination and possible evidence of memory in tigers (Panthera tigris) and snow leopards (Panthera uncia) at the Bronx Zoo in New York. Two categories of olfactory stimuli are used: relevant scents (gaur and Eld’s deer urine), which resemble naturally encountered odors in the wild, and irrelevant scents (banana extract and lime juice), which should not have biological significance. One scent from each category is presented until each cat reaches habituation. Next, the second scent from the same category is presented. An increase in time spent investigating this novel scent indicates discrimination. Afterwards, the first scent is presented again and a decrease in investigation suggests memory ability. Preliminary data suggest habituation is slightly stronger with irrelevant scents and discrimination and odor memory appear more evident with relevant scents. This study will explore the complexity of habituation, discrimination, and odor memory ability in felids.

Evangelia Chondra Tsaoussis-Carter
Four Paws on Literacy: Canines in the Classroom and Using Animals as a Therapeutic Outlet for Children and Adolescences with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

My presentation will be based on my undergraduate thesis from SUNY Purchase: Four Paws on Literacy: Canines in the Classroom improving Literacy Rates and my graduate thesis from Bank Street College of Education: Using Animals as a Therapeutic Outlet for Children and Adolescences with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. The presentation will have the focal point of the bond of humans and animals and how it benefits our lives. I will discuss how reading to canines will lower the anxiety of a struggling reader so they can have a better chance of succeeding. I will also discuss how, by using animals can help children who have emotional and behavioral disorders. Animals have broken through to children who cut themselves off from the world because they find it overwhelming. Animals create a safe zone for children and adults alike.

Raymond Vagell
Talk to the Hand: Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas) Hand Preference in Gestural Communication

Gestural communication is thought to be a precursor to the origin of human language. Since human language is lateralized between brain hemispheres, this study seek to elucidate whether there is also a lateralization in nonhuman primates gestural communication. One way to investigate brain asymmetry is by observing species-specific behaviors for lateralized hand preference. This preliminary study was observed with the hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas) at the Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn, New York. Two types of gestural communication were examined to determine if they exhibit hand preference: hand slapping and muzzle wiping. An all occurrence sampling was completed in 3 weeks totaling 24 hours of observation and data collection. First, the Handedness Index (HI) for each individual (N=7) was tabulated for hand slapping and muzzle wiping. Then, Chi-Square Goodness of Fit was used. This study revealed that most P. hamadryas individuals at the Prospect Park Zoo exhibit a right hand preference for both hand slapping (X2 (1, N = 5) = 17.04, p < 0.001), and muzzle wiping (X2 (1, N = 7) = 10.50, p < 0.05). These results are consistent with previous studies on another baboon species, olive baboons (Papio anubis) (Vauclair et al., 2005, Meguerditchian & Vauclair, 2006, and Meguerditchian & Vauclair, 2009). Results from this preliminary study can contribute to the study of nonhuman primate handedness, and the evolution of language.

ABS 2014 Poster 40 --- Talk To The Hand: Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas) Hand Preference In Gestural Communication

Did you miss my poster at the ABS 2014 poster session? Or just want to have a copy of my poster? You can find a PDF copy on Academia.edu or ResearchGate.net

ABS 2014 Founder's Poster Competition and Poster Presentation

I have entered the "Founder's Poster" competition and will be presenting a brief 1 minute (2 slides) presentation on Sunday, August 10th, following immediately after the Plenary talk at 9:15 AM. My poster will be at Frick Gallery starting today. I will be there personally on Tuesday (August 12th) from 7 PM to 9 PM.

I will have handouts for my poster as well as a QR code for an online download at the poster session. See you all there!

It's Officially Conference Season: #ABS2014

I'll be presenting my hamadryas baboon handedness poster again next week at Animal Behavior Society (ABS) in Princeton University, NJ [Abstract below]. This a pilot study I did at The Prospect Park Zoo last year, prior to the birth of the two new male baboons. Don't forget to catch my poster on Tuesday, August 12th between 7 PM to 9 PM at Frist Gallery (Poster Session B). 

I have entered the "Founder's Poster" competition and will be presenting a brief 1 minute (2 slides) presentation on Sunday following immediately after the Plenary talk. The point of this brief presentation is to persuade you, my reader and conference goer, to come check out my poster. So ... would you come check out my poster, pretty please. I will upload those slides here after I have presented on Sunday.

As with ISBE 2014, I will also be tweeting during ABS 2014 using the hash tag #ABS2014

ABSTRACT: 

Vagell, R. Talk To The Hand: Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas) Hand Preference In Gestural Communication.

Gestural communication is thought to be a precursor to the origin of human language. Since human language is lateralized between brain hemispheres, this study seeks to elucidate whether there is also a lateralization in nonhuman primate gestural communication. One way to investigate brain asymmetry is by observing species-specific behaviors for lateralized hand preference. In this preliminary study, hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) were observed at Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn, New York. Two types of gestural communication were examined to determine if they exhibit hand preference: hand slapping and muzzle wiping. An all occurrence sampling was completed in 3 weeks totaling 24 hours of observation and data collection. From these data, we calculated a Handedness Index (HI) and tested individuals for right or left hand preference using chi-squared tests. This study revealed that 42.9% of individuals exhibit a right hand preference for hand slapping (X2 (1, N = 5) = 17.04, p < 0.001). 71.4% of individuals exhibit a right hand preference for muzzle wiping (X2 (1, N = 7) = 10.50, p < 0.05). These results are consistent with previous studies on olive baboons (Papio anubis) (Vauclair et al., 2005; Meguerditchian & Vauclair, 2006; Meguerditchian & Vauclair, 2009). Results from this preliminary study can contribute to the study of nonhuman primate handedness, and the evolution of language.

If You Missed My Poster At #ISBE2014 ...

Author, with said poster at ISBE 2014.

If you missed my poster during the poster session at the International Society of Behavioral Ecology (ISBE) 2014 conference, you can find a copy of it either on Academia.edu or ResearchGate.net

Any feed backs and comments are appreciated.

It's Officially Conference Season: ISBE 2014

I'll be presenting my hamadryas baboon handedness poster this week at International Society of Behavioral Ecology (ISBE) conference in NYC. This a pilot study I did at The Prospect Park Zoo last year, prior to the birth of the two new male baboons. Don't forget to catch my poster on Saturday, August 2nd between 7 PM to 9:30 PM at NYU Kimmel Center (10th floor). I will be volunteering as well, so say hi when you see me giving you your conference packets. If you are attending #ISBE2014 and needed any NYC-related advice or tips, don't be shy to ask. Catch you on the flip side! 

ISBE 2014 Poster Abstract

Checking Out Duke Lemur Center

Duke Lemur Center. Durham, North Carolina

Hi all! I flew down to Durham, North Carolina earlier this week to check out Duke Lemur Center where I will be conducting experiments for my Masters thesis. But before I get to that, I just want everyone to know that I overslept and woke up an hour before my flight is supposed to depart.! Lucky for me, I live near the airport so I dashed out the door (I had packed the night before), grabbed a cab, and got to the airport in 20 minutes. That leaves me 10 minutes before the start pre-boarding and guess what? I made it! Achievement unlocked! North Carolina is definitely not like the Northeast (no shit, Raymond). The first day I got to Durham, I immediately noticed the "southern drawl". I felt like everyone's life is moving on a slow pace except mine, so when I talk to them I haaaaad tooooo taaaaaaaaaalk veeeeeryyyyyy slooooooow (New Yorkers are known to talk really really fast). I've only been to Durham and Chapel Hill for the duration I was there but I enjoyed it. Can't wait to go back and explore the area more when I am collecting data.

Prosimians of the world!

Oh, right. Duke Lemur Center. I got to see all the ruffed lemurs, both red ruffed and black-and-white ruffed, (Varecia variegata spp.) that I will be working with. They are precious, and cute, and adorbs. They somehow reminded me of cats (Yes, I'm a cat lady). I coordinated the trip to the lemur center with the Research Manager at Duke Lemur Center, Erin Ehmke, so that I can see the ruffed lemurs as well as their enclosures. This way, it would be easier for me to plan/imagine where the experimental apparatus will be set up. My research will be on foraging ecology, and I hope to be able to do my data collection in late Fall, if not the beginning of Winter.

Photo by David Haring, Duke Lemur Center.

I was lucky enough to be able to get inside the enclosures with the ruffed lemurs (I have to provide proof of negative TB result from a PPD test). Now I have photographic proof that I'm actually at Duke Lemur Center! Thanks to David Haring for taking pictures of me with the ruffed lemurs! Totes cool. You can check out Haring's portfolio here.

My Life So Far ...

Hi readers! I'm sure most of you have been waiting for me to update my blog. Apologies for the long leave of absence. I have been busy with grad school, but as the Spring 2014 semester came to an end, I'm glad to report that I have finished taking all the course work I needed for my Animal Behavior and Conservation (ABC) MA. Right now the MA is in the horizon; I just need to finish my data collection, write up my thesis, and defend it before I graduate.

I am currently working with Dr. Andrea Baden at Hunter College for my MA thesis. It will be on ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata sp.) sensory and foraging ecology. I plan on going to Duke Lemur Center later this Summer or early Fall for data collection, so if there are any readers that goes to Duke University or live near Durham/Chapel Hill, feel free to contact me so we can meet up. You can also find out more about me on the About Me tab.

What I would be like if I am a ruffed lemur.

Since my previous post, MPIG 2013: Thank You Iowa State University!, I have been working on the poster I presented there. Thanks to all the feedback I've received, I re-analyzed my data and was able to present a more cohesive story and result. If I have to reiterate again, MPIG is a great conference to go to if you want to showcase your work and wanted feedback. I have also heard through the grapevines (or liana vines) that there is now a Northeast Primate Interest Group. Will update you on that when I find out more about it.

I recently gave a talk at the 2nd annual CUNY Animal Behavior Initiative (CABI) conference at The Bronx Zoo. It was my first time giving this talk, and although my talk was cut short to only 5 minutes, I felt like I was able to convey my story and research. I spoke about hamadryas baboon handedness and why it is important to me as an anthropologist and primatologist. It was a compelling story and everyone cried (no they didn't, it was a complete fabrication). They seem to have enjoyed the talk though based on their feedback.

Doing what I do best, convincing people that hamadryas baboons are interesting. Photo taken at the 2nd annual CABI conference.

It's conference season! As far as conferences go, I will be at the ISBE conference at Hunter College (New York, NY), ABS conference at Princeton University (Princeton, NJ) and ASP conference at Decatur, GA. My poster presentations have been accepted in the latter two conferences. I'm hoping that my poster for ISBE will be accepted as well! Again, if you are attending any of these conferences, please let me know so we can meet up and mingle!

I hope to have enough time to be able to update this blog again. I will try to post more about my current research. With the advent of Twitter, I have just been tweeting and retweeting exciting primate news. Until the next post ....