Primate Ecology

Instructor: Dr. Christina J. Campbell Department of Anthropology Pomona College Hahn 105 Claremont, CA 91711 Phone: (909) 607-8449 Ext. 78449 E-mail: Christina_Campbell@pomona.edu
Course Structure

In this course you will learn fundamental concepts related to the study of primate behavior and ecology, as applied in a tropical setting. You will gain actual field experience in primatological data collection techniques, and you will design and conduct your own short research project. The course will be equivalent to an upper-division primate behavioral ecology course, but with a strong emphasis on field techniques, data collection, and research design.

There are several components to the course: formal classroom lectures, group classroom presentations (based on assigned readings), informal discussions in the field, and an individual project based on data collection techniques during the lectures and field exercises.

Lectures and Reading

During the first two weeks of the field school there will be approximately 6 formal lectures and many reading assignments.  The reading will be assigned from the required texts, and journal articles.
The tentative lecture topics are:

• Primate taxonomy and distribution
• Primate diets and the properties of food (energy, nutrients, plant deterrents, digestive strategies)
• Primate interactions with plants (e.g., seed dispersal)
• Natural History of the primates of Panama and Costa Rica with a focus on those species found in Bocas del Toro.
• Primate social organization and behavior (why do primates live in groups, types of grouping patterns)
• Primate reproductive behavior and the concept of estrus.

Required textbooks:

• Martin, P. and Bateson, P. 1993. Measuring Behaviour: An Introductory Guide (second edition). $19.95. (ISBN 0521 446147).
• Paterson, J.D. 2001. Primate Behavior: An Exercise Workbook. $23.95. (ISBN 1577661656)
• Course Reader - will be provided by Dr. Campbell. Cost will be approx. $20- $30.

Lectures and Readings

During the first two weeks of the field school there will be approximately 7 formal lectures and many reading assignments. The reading will be assigned from the required texts, and course reader.
The tentative lecture topics are:

• Primate taxonomy and distribution
• How does one carry out fieldwork on primates?
• Primate diets and the properties of food (energy, nutrients, plant deterrents, digestive strategies)
• Primate interactions with plants (e.g., seed dispersal)
• Natural History of the primates of Panama and Costa Rica with a focus on those species found in Bocas del Toro.
• Primate social organization and behavior (why do primates live in groups, types of grouping patterns)
• Spider Monkey reproductive behavior and the concept of estrus.

Group Field Exercises

There will be 7 graded field exercises that are designed to introduce you to various aspects of primate fieldwork. The first three are more ecological and the second three focus more on behavior.

1. Habitat Description - you will compares different habitat types for tree height, crown volume, canopy cover and develop a basic habitat profile.
2. Plant Phenology and Productivity - you will learn techniques to measure primate food availability, and you collect and identify plant samples. 3. Plant Biomass and Diversity - you will learn techniques to measure plant diversity in different habitat types.
3. Plant Biomass and Diversity - you will learn techniques to measure plant diversity in different habitat types.
4. Primate Population Analysis - you will learn techniques for aging, sexing and identifying individual primates.
5. Ethogram and Data Collection Techniques - you will learn how to develop a simple ethogram for behavioral studies, and how to collect behavioral data in a systematic way.
6. Primate Feeding Ecology - you will learn how to determine what the animals are eating, how much they are eating and how diet may differ according to age/sex class.
7. Primate Behavioral Study - you will learn to use one of the most conspicuous behaviors of howler monkeys (i.e., howling) to determine the number of troops in the field station area.
   
   

Individual Research Projects

With the help of the instructor and teaching assistants, each student will develop and carry out, their own field research project. This will be an original project of your own choosing which will involve researching, developing, submitting a proposal (which must be approved), carrying out the project, analyzing and writing up your results, and orally presenting your results to the rest of the class at the end of the field course. The topic must cover an aspect of primate behavior and/or ecology, although does not necessarily have to be something previously covered in the course.

Grading

Course grades will be calculated as follows:

• Field Exercises 30% (5% each)
• Participation 20%
• Individual Research Project 50%

Tentative Course Schedule

Day 1 Arrive via flight from Panama City.

Day 2-3 Orientation with the station and trail system, lectures.

Day 4-10 Group research projects, proposals, lectures.

Day 11-12 Field trip to Volcan Barú cloud forests.

Day 13-23 Individual research, lectures.

Day 24-26 Analysis and write-up of individual research, lectures.

Day 27 Oral presentation of Individual research, party.

Day 28 Return to Panama City then home

NOTE: There will be a lot of slogging around in swamp-forests in this course. Expect to get wet and muddy while in the field.

Last Update:12 December, 2002