Male proboscis monkeys are known for their large, bulbous nose appendages. It’s a strange feature to evolve – with new research shedding light on their unlikely origin story.
A tourist on National Elephant Day in Thailand.
oneclearvision/Getty Images
Even self-proclaimed ethical tourism programs can widen economic gaps and harm communities they claim to protect. Here are a few steps you can take as an ethical tourist.
A disabled young female macaque named Monmo at the Awajishima Monkey Center in Japan.
(Sarah E. Turner)
A community of macaques in Japan has a high rate of disabled individuals who survive with behavioural flexibility and maternal care. Globally, primate disabilities are often related to human causes.
New fossil studies tell us our ancient ancestors enjoyed a diet of soft, sweet fruits. This would have influenced where they lived and spread to – and even the evolution of colour vision.
New research looks at how different species have managed to cross geographic barriers throughout history and whether their individual traits played a crucial role in these journeys.
Rhesus macaques are known for harassing people in cities.
Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock
Rhesus macaques are known for harassing people in New Delhi, where the G20 summit is being held, so authorities are taking action – but is it the right action?
Male same-sex sexual behaviour was widespread in a population of rhesus macaques.
Sam Edwards
Many older people tend to trim their social circles and focus their social efforts on family and close friends. New research on our close primate relatives may help explain why.
Samango monkey choosing to use a pole bridge instead of a ladder bridge.
Birthe Linden
Researchers encourage citizen scientists to contribute to datasets on animal deaths caused by infrastructure. This will inform efforts to reduce the human impact on biodiversity.
A baby chimpanzee enjoys his food.
Michaela Pilch/Shutterstock
Most of us have heard of the dangers of deforestation but there are other more subtle ways that human beings can endanger monkeys, apes and lemurs.
Issa chimpanzees live in a woodland dominated environment interspersed with riparian forests, grasslands, and rocky out-crops.
Photo: R. Drummond-Clarke/GMERC
Nonhuman primates like rhesus monkeys share certain characteristics with people that may make them better study subjects than mice for research on neurodegenerative diseases.
New research indicates that rhesus monkeys show interoception – the ability to sense physiological processes like their own heartbeats.
Matthew Verdolivo/UC Davis IET Academic Technology Services
Researchers used a test designed for babies to show that rhesus monkeys can sense their own heartbeats. The finding opens up important paths of research into consciousness and mental health issues.
Squirrel rattle calls may be a form of announcing their presence.
(Shutterstock)
North American red squirrels produce a range of sounds, but their distinctive rattle call may have more to do with identifying themselves than warning off other squirrels.
This image shows Ebola virus particles (red) budding from the surface of kidney cell (blue).
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/Flickr