Validation of a Noninvasive Hair Trapping Method for Extractive-Foraging Primates

Abstract

Hair is a useful source of biological information. For example, the bulb can be a source of high-quality genetic material, whereas the shaft can be useful for measuring heavy metals and some hormones, such as cortisol. The stable isotope composition of hair is another valuable source of biological information. Consequently, noninvasive methods of hair sampling have become important research tools. Several hair-trapping methods have been developed for use on mammals, but these are rarely deployed on primates in part because their travel patterns can be difficult to predict and because many species are averse to novel objects in their environments. Yet if a species has a natural propensity to envision, manipulate, and withdraw extractable food resources, then a baited receptacle lined with double-sided tape may prove successful as a hair trap. Recently, researchers demonstrated the success of such a contraption with tufted capuchins, a Neotropical monkey species with a high degree of somatosensory intelligence and a proclivity for extractive foraging. Here, we replicate this method in a population of tool-using long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Our trials validate the effectiveness of the method, suggesting that it is suitable for long-tailed macaques and other extractive-foraging primates.

Zoonotic Blood-Borne Pathogens in Non-Human Primates in the Neotropical Region: A Systematic Review

“…The source of DNA in NHPs can be hairs [ 127 , 128 ], feces [ 129 , 130 ], buccal cells from swabs [ 131 , 132 , 133 ] or food wadges [ 134 ], urine [ 135 ] and blood [ 98 , 136 ]. Non-invasive genetic sampling was defined by Taberlet, et al [ 137 ] as “ the source of the DNA left behind by the animal and that can be collected without having to catch or disturb the animal ”.…”

Seasonal differences in hair growth rates of captive aye‐aye, red ruffed, and black‐and‐white ruffed lemurs

“…While the distinction between fur and hair is unclear, when referring to the physical structure, the term hair is often associated with follicles that produce longer strands while shorter strands are often considered fur (Crowley, 2020). Sampling hair is noninvasive, hair is easily accessible, stable, and can be stored under normal, ambient conditions (Appenzeller & Tsatsakis, 2012; Tan & Dominy, 2018). Hair bioaccumulates substances such as heavy metals, hormones, steroids, and records stable isotope ratios.…”

“…Biological molecules such as steroids are incorporated into the hair shaft while levels of hormones such as progesterone and testosterone in hair correlate to levels found in human serum (Kersey & Dehnhard, 2014). Stable isotope analysis (SIA) of hair is extremely useful when trying to piece together an animal's nutritional history (Ehrich et al, 2015; Oelze et al, 2020; Tan & Dominy, 2018), because hair can act as a “tape recorder,” recording the isotopic signal of diet at the time the hair was grown and how diet changes over time (L'Hérault et al, 2018; Oelze et al, 2020; Schillaci et al, 2019). However, to use SIA or other analyses of hair samples to the greatest effect, it is useful to understand hair growth rates so that the results of the analysis may be linked to the time at which the hair, or section of hair, was grown.…”