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. 2012;7(5):e37486.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037486. Epub 2012 May 25.

Construction and validation of a systematic ethogram of Macaca fascicularis in a free enclosure

Fan Xu  1 , Liang Xie, Xin Li, Qi Li, Tao Wang, Yongjia Ji, Fei Kong, Qunlin Zhan, Ke Cheng, Liang Fang, Peng Xie
Affiliations

Construction and validation of a systematic ethogram of Macaca fascicularis in a free enclosure

Fan Xu et al. PLoS One. 2012.

Abstract

Behavioral studies in non-human primates have become ideal models for further investigations into advanced cognitive function in humans. To date, there is no systematic ethogram of the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) in a free enclosure. In a field observation of 6012 subjects, 107 distinct behaviors of M. fascicularis were preliminarily described. 83 of these behaviors were then independently validated through a randomized cohort and classified into 12 behavioral categories. 53 of these behaviors were then selected to accurately reflect the daily mundane activity of the species in a free enclosure. These findings systematically document the behavior of M. fascicularis in a free enclosure for use in further investigations.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have read the journal's policy and have the following conflicts: The observations for this study were carried out at the Macaca fascicularis Feeding Base of Zhongke Experimental Animal Co., Ltd. This does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLoS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Average durations of 12 behavioral categories by observational phase.
The average daily duration per subject (total duration of each behavior/40 subjects/4 days) are aggregated by category and displayed by phase. Phase timing: A2 = 10:00–10:30, A3 = 10:30–11:00, A4 = 11:00–11:30, P2 = 14:30–15:00, P3 = 15:00–15:30, P4 = 15:30–16:00, P5 = 16:00–16:30.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Average counts and relative frequencies of ingestion behaviors by observational phase.
The average daily count per subject (total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days) and relative frequencies of each ingestion behavior are displayed by phase. Each figure in related color bar represents the average daily frequencies of respective action per subject in each phase (total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days).Phase timing: A2 = 10:00–10:30, A3 = 10:30–11:00, A4 = 11:00–11:30, P2 = 14:30–15:00, P3 = 15:00–15:30, P4 = 15:30–16:00, P5 = 16:00–16:30.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Average counts and relative frequencies of thermo-regulatory, rutting, estrous and mating behaviors by observational phase.
The average daily count per subject (total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days) and relative frequencies of each thermo-regulatory, rutting, estrous, and mating behavior are displayed by phase. Each figure in related color bar represents the average daily frequencies of respective action per subject in each phase (total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days). Phase timing: A2 = 10:00–10:30, A3 = 10:30–11:00, A4 = 11:00–11:30, P2 = 14:30–15:00, P3 = 15:00–15:30, P4 = 15:30–16:00, P5 = 16:00–16:30.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Average counts and relative frequencies of resting behaviors by observational phase.
The average daily count per subject (total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days) and relative frequencies of each resting behavior are displayed by phase. Each figure in related color bar represents the average daily frequencies of respective action per subject in each phase (total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days). Phase timing: A2 = 10:00–10:30, A3 = 10:30–11:00, A4 = 11:00–11:30, P2 = 14:30–15:00, P3 = 15:00–15:30, P4 = 15:30–16:00, P5 = 16:00–16:30.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Average counts and relative frequencies of parental and amicable behaviors by observational phase.
The average daily count per subject (total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days) and relative frequencies of each parental and amicable behavior are displayed by phase. Each figure in related color bar represents the average daily frequencies of respective action per subject in each phase (total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days). Phase timing: A2 = 10:00–10:30, A3 = 10:30–11:00, A4 = 11:00–11:30, P2 = 14:30–15:00, P3 = 15:00–15:30, P4 = 15:30–16:00, P5 = 16:00–16:30.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Average counts and relative frequencies of conflict and vigilance behaviors by observational phase.
The average daily count per subject (total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days) and relative frequencies of each conflict and vigilance behavior are displayed by phase. Each figure in related color bar represents the average daily frequencies of respective action per subject in each phase(total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days). Phase timing: A2 = 10:00–10:30, A3 = 10:30–11:00, A4 = 11:00–11:30, P2 = 14:30–15:00, P3 = 15:00–15:30, P4 = 15:30–16:00, P5 = 16:00–16:30.
Figure 7
Figure 7. Average counts and relative frequencies of locomotive behaviors by observational phase.
The average daily count per subject (total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days) and relative frequencies of each locomotive behavior are displayed by phase. Each figure in related color bar represents the average daily frequencies of respective action per subject in each phase (total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days). Phase timing: A2 = 10:00–10:30, A3 = 10:30–11:00, A4 = 11:00–11:30, P2 = 14:30–15:00, P3 = 15:00–15:30, P4 = 15:30–16:00, P5 = 16:00–16:30.
Figure 8
Figure 8. Average counts and relative frequencies of communication and miscellaneous behaviors by observational phase.
The average daily count per subject (total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days) and relative frequencies of each communication and miscellaneous behavior are displayed by phase. Each figure in related color bar represents the average daily frequencies of respective action per subject in each phase(total no. of actions/40 subjects/4 days).Phase timing: A2 = 10:00–10:30, A3 = 10:30–11:00, A4 = 11:00–11:30, P2 = 14:30–15:00, P3 = 15:00–15:30, P4 = 15:30–16:00, P5 = 16:00–16:30.
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