We identified Torque teno indri virus 1 (TTIV1), the first anellovirus in a free-living lemur (In... more We identified Torque teno indri virus 1 (TTIV1), the first anellovirus in a free-living lemur (Indri indri). The complete circular 2,572-nucleotide (nt) TTIV1 genome is distantly related to torque teno sus virus. Phylogenetic and sequence analyses support TTIV1 as a putative member of a new genus within the Anelloviridae family.
Nursery Rearing of Nonhuman Primates in the 21st Century, 2006
Breeding populations of black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata), red ruffed lemurs (Var... more Breeding populations of black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata), red ruffed lemurs (Varecia rubra), and black lemurs (Eulemur macaco macaco) have been housed in zoos since the early to mid 1970s. The status and reproductive history of the three taxa in zoos and primate centers are documented in The International Studbook for the Ruffed Lemur (Porton, 2000) and the International Studbook
The roles of host genetics versus exposure and contact frequency in driving cross-species transmi... more The roles of host genetics versus exposure and contact frequency in driving cross-species transmission remain the subject of debate. Here, we used a multitaxon lemur collection at the Saint Louis Zoo in the United States as a model to gain insight into viral transmission in a setting of high interspecies contact. Lemurs are a diverse and understudied group of primates that are highly endangered. The speciation of lemurs, which are endemic to the island of Madagascar, occurred in geographic isolation apart from that of continental African primates. Although evidence of endogenized viruses in lemur genomes exists, no exogenous viruses of lemurs have been described to date. Here we identified two novel picornaviruses in fecal specimens of ring-tailed lemurs ( Lemur catta ) and black-and-white ruffed lemurs ( Varecia variegata ). We found that the viruses were transmitted in a species-specific manner (lesavirus 1 was detected only in ring-tailed lemurs, while lesavirus 2 was detected on...
Limited nutritional information exists on diets of free-ranging orangutans, Pongo abelii and P. p... more Limited nutritional information exists on diets of free-ranging orangutans, Pongo abelii and P. pygmaeus. Although they are classified as frugivores, the chemical composition of their diet and their gastrointestinal anatomy suggest that they rely on fiber fermentation for a substantial portion of energy. However, the extent to which they can ferment fiber is not known. Continuous culture systems, inoculated with orangutan fecal bacteria, were established to determine the fiber-digesting capacity of orangutan hindgut microflora. The cultures received one of four treatments: soybean hulls, ground corncobs, corn starch, or no food. Neither dry matter nor neutral detergent fiber digestibilities differed significantly among treatments. However, neutral detergent fiber digestibilities were high for both the soybean hull (88.4%) and ground corncob (86.1%) treatments, indicating that the microflora had a strong fibrolytic capability. To determine whether the same fiber-degrading capacity occurred in vivo, two adult orangutans and one juvenile were fed four gel-matrix diets containing soybean hulls, ground corncobs, or ground primate biscuits. Neutral detergent fiber concentrations (dry matter basis) of the gel matrices were 52.9% with soybean hulls, 46.8% and 63.7% with ground corncobs, and 31.3% with ground primate biscuits. A fifth diet consisted of primate biscuits with 27.3% neutral detergent fiber (dry matter basis) and was considered the baseline diet. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility (74.5%) was greatest (P < 0.05) for the soybean hull gel diet and least (57.5% and 45.0%, respectively; P < 0.05) for the 63.7% neutral detergent fiber (dry matter basis) corncob gel diet and the baseline primate biscuit diet. Total volatile fatty acid concentrations in orangutan feces were not significantly different among diets; however, molar proportions of acetic, propionic, and butyric acid differed (P < 0.05) among diets. The results from both studies indicated that orangutans are capable of extensive fiber fermentation.
Black lemurs, Eulemur macaco, are classified as generalist feeders, consuming a proportion of fru... more Black lemurs, Eulemur macaco, are classified as generalist feeders, consuming a proportion of fruits and leaves that varies with seasonal availability. It is hypothesized that black lemurs are capable of using neutral detergent fiber (NDF) as a source of energy through fiber fermentation in the cecum and large intestine. In captivity, they are typically fed a diet of commercially available primate biscuits and readily available produce, both of which are limited in NDE Digestibility trials were conducted on 14 black lemurs; 12 were housed in groups (four, three, three, and two) and 2 were individually housed. The lemurs were fed four manufactured feeds differing in fiber form and content. A commercially available primate biscuit, containing approximately 27% NDF, served as the control diet. The second diet contained the same primate biscuits, which were ground and then incorporated into a fiber-based gel matrix. The third and fourth diets were formulated using soybean hulls or ground corncobs as the fiber source, resulting in 53% and 47% NDF, respectively. Produce was added to the diet at 36% (dry matter basis). Dry matter digestibility differed significantly among all diets. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was highest for the ground biscuit in gel and lowest for the two high-fiber gel diets, with biscuit digestibility values falling between the two extremes. The high-fiber gel diets were successful in increasing the NDF concentrations of the primate diets; however, black lemurs were capable of only limited fiber digestion.
The reduction of wildlife populations all over the world is perhaps most dramatically illustrated... more The reduction of wildlife populations all over the world is perhaps most dramatically illustrated by the number of tropical forest species that are endangered. The rapid rate of deforestation in the tropics has resulted in the reduction and fragmentation of populations which directly impacts species vulnerability to extinction. As a taxonomic group found almost exclusively in the tropics, primates are particularly hard hit. At a time when we still have numerous questions concerning the biology of such species as the nocturnal prosimians, many are endangered.
The following is the established format for referencing this article: DeMatteo, KE, Carrillo, O.,... more The following is the established format for referencing this article: DeMatteo, KE, Carrillo, O., Zuercher, GL, Ramírez, S., Smith, K. and Porton, IJ 2004. A technique for attracting bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) in the wild. Canid News 7.6 [online] URL: http://www.canids.org/ ...
The reduction of wildlife populations all over the world is perhaps most dramatically illustrated... more The reduction of wildlife populations all over the world is perhaps most dramatically illustrated by the number of tropical forest species that are endangered. The rapid rate of deforestation in the tropics has resulted in the reduction and fragmentation of populations which directly impacts species vulnerability to extinction. As a taxonomic group found almost exclusively in the tropics, primates are particularly hard hit. At a time when we still have numerous questions concerning the biology of such species as the nocturnal prosimians, many are endangered. The conservation of endangered species requires a multi pronged, interorganizational, and interdisciplinary approach. Habitat preservation and/or restoration, a comprehensive in-situ management program, basic and applied research, public education, and captive breeding programs are all facets of a conservation strategy. To that end, the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) declared wildlife conservation as the Associ...
We identified Torque teno indri virus 1 (TTIV1), the first anellovirus in a free-living lemur (In... more We identified Torque teno indri virus 1 (TTIV1), the first anellovirus in a free-living lemur (Indri indri). The complete circular 2,572-nucleotide (nt) TTIV1 genome is distantly related to torque teno sus virus. Phylogenetic and sequence analyses support TTIV1 as a putative member of a new genus within the Anelloviridae family.
Nursery Rearing of Nonhuman Primates in the 21st Century, 2006
Breeding populations of black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata), red ruffed lemurs (Var... more Breeding populations of black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata), red ruffed lemurs (Varecia rubra), and black lemurs (Eulemur macaco macaco) have been housed in zoos since the early to mid 1970s. The status and reproductive history of the three taxa in zoos and primate centers are documented in The International Studbook for the Ruffed Lemur (Porton, 2000) and the International Studbook
The roles of host genetics versus exposure and contact frequency in driving cross-species transmi... more The roles of host genetics versus exposure and contact frequency in driving cross-species transmission remain the subject of debate. Here, we used a multitaxon lemur collection at the Saint Louis Zoo in the United States as a model to gain insight into viral transmission in a setting of high interspecies contact. Lemurs are a diverse and understudied group of primates that are highly endangered. The speciation of lemurs, which are endemic to the island of Madagascar, occurred in geographic isolation apart from that of continental African primates. Although evidence of endogenized viruses in lemur genomes exists, no exogenous viruses of lemurs have been described to date. Here we identified two novel picornaviruses in fecal specimens of ring-tailed lemurs ( Lemur catta ) and black-and-white ruffed lemurs ( Varecia variegata ). We found that the viruses were transmitted in a species-specific manner (lesavirus 1 was detected only in ring-tailed lemurs, while lesavirus 2 was detected on...
Limited nutritional information exists on diets of free-ranging orangutans, Pongo abelii and P. p... more Limited nutritional information exists on diets of free-ranging orangutans, Pongo abelii and P. pygmaeus. Although they are classified as frugivores, the chemical composition of their diet and their gastrointestinal anatomy suggest that they rely on fiber fermentation for a substantial portion of energy. However, the extent to which they can ferment fiber is not known. Continuous culture systems, inoculated with orangutan fecal bacteria, were established to determine the fiber-digesting capacity of orangutan hindgut microflora. The cultures received one of four treatments: soybean hulls, ground corncobs, corn starch, or no food. Neither dry matter nor neutral detergent fiber digestibilities differed significantly among treatments. However, neutral detergent fiber digestibilities were high for both the soybean hull (88.4%) and ground corncob (86.1%) treatments, indicating that the microflora had a strong fibrolytic capability. To determine whether the same fiber-degrading capacity occurred in vivo, two adult orangutans and one juvenile were fed four gel-matrix diets containing soybean hulls, ground corncobs, or ground primate biscuits. Neutral detergent fiber concentrations (dry matter basis) of the gel matrices were 52.9% with soybean hulls, 46.8% and 63.7% with ground corncobs, and 31.3% with ground primate biscuits. A fifth diet consisted of primate biscuits with 27.3% neutral detergent fiber (dry matter basis) and was considered the baseline diet. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility (74.5%) was greatest (P < 0.05) for the soybean hull gel diet and least (57.5% and 45.0%, respectively; P < 0.05) for the 63.7% neutral detergent fiber (dry matter basis) corncob gel diet and the baseline primate biscuit diet. Total volatile fatty acid concentrations in orangutan feces were not significantly different among diets; however, molar proportions of acetic, propionic, and butyric acid differed (P < 0.05) among diets. The results from both studies indicated that orangutans are capable of extensive fiber fermentation.
Black lemurs, Eulemur macaco, are classified as generalist feeders, consuming a proportion of fru... more Black lemurs, Eulemur macaco, are classified as generalist feeders, consuming a proportion of fruits and leaves that varies with seasonal availability. It is hypothesized that black lemurs are capable of using neutral detergent fiber (NDF) as a source of energy through fiber fermentation in the cecum and large intestine. In captivity, they are typically fed a diet of commercially available primate biscuits and readily available produce, both of which are limited in NDE Digestibility trials were conducted on 14 black lemurs; 12 were housed in groups (four, three, three, and two) and 2 were individually housed. The lemurs were fed four manufactured feeds differing in fiber form and content. A commercially available primate biscuit, containing approximately 27% NDF, served as the control diet. The second diet contained the same primate biscuits, which were ground and then incorporated into a fiber-based gel matrix. The third and fourth diets were formulated using soybean hulls or ground corncobs as the fiber source, resulting in 53% and 47% NDF, respectively. Produce was added to the diet at 36% (dry matter basis). Dry matter digestibility differed significantly among all diets. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was highest for the ground biscuit in gel and lowest for the two high-fiber gel diets, with biscuit digestibility values falling between the two extremes. The high-fiber gel diets were successful in increasing the NDF concentrations of the primate diets; however, black lemurs were capable of only limited fiber digestion.
The reduction of wildlife populations all over the world is perhaps most dramatically illustrated... more The reduction of wildlife populations all over the world is perhaps most dramatically illustrated by the number of tropical forest species that are endangered. The rapid rate of deforestation in the tropics has resulted in the reduction and fragmentation of populations which directly impacts species vulnerability to extinction. As a taxonomic group found almost exclusively in the tropics, primates are particularly hard hit. At a time when we still have numerous questions concerning the biology of such species as the nocturnal prosimians, many are endangered.
The following is the established format for referencing this article: DeMatteo, KE, Carrillo, O.,... more The following is the established format for referencing this article: DeMatteo, KE, Carrillo, O., Zuercher, GL, Ramírez, S., Smith, K. and Porton, IJ 2004. A technique for attracting bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) in the wild. Canid News 7.6 [online] URL: http://www.canids.org/ ...
The reduction of wildlife populations all over the world is perhaps most dramatically illustrated... more The reduction of wildlife populations all over the world is perhaps most dramatically illustrated by the number of tropical forest species that are endangered. The rapid rate of deforestation in the tropics has resulted in the reduction and fragmentation of populations which directly impacts species vulnerability to extinction. As a taxonomic group found almost exclusively in the tropics, primates are particularly hard hit. At a time when we still have numerous questions concerning the biology of such species as the nocturnal prosimians, many are endangered. The conservation of endangered species requires a multi pronged, interorganizational, and interdisciplinary approach. Habitat preservation and/or restoration, a comprehensive in-situ management program, basic and applied research, public education, and captive breeding programs are all facets of a conservation strategy. To that end, the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) declared wildlife conservation as the Associ...
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