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Primate Behavior And Ecology

Contact Information:

Amy L. Schreier, Ph.D.
Thompson Writing Program
Duke University
Box 90025, Art Building
Durham, NC 27705
Tel: 919-660-7068
E-mail: amy.schreier@duke.edu

Course Description

This course covers the behavior and ecology of Old & New World primates from an evolutionary perspective. Emphasis will be given to the species present at La Suerte, Costa Rica or Ometepe Nicaragua. The material and topics covered in this course are equivalent to an upper division university course in primate behavior and ecology and field methods. A background in biology or physical anthropology is helpful but not required. It is far more important to have a serious interest in learning about primates and a desire to do field work in a tropical rainforest. Each day will be a combination of lectures, seminars and fieldwork, and daily forest exploration.

The course is intensive, and there isn't much 'free' time to explore Nicaragua. If you're interested in sight-seeing, it is recommended that you stay a week after the course ends to see some of the country. You'll learn a lot about primate behavior, field work in general and field primatology specifically.

Course Objectives

To understand the social and physical diversity within the order Primates
To understand the ‘rules’ of social behavior and the ecological influences on behavior
To understand the interplay of natural selection, environment, and behavioral adaptation in nonhuman primates
To understand the methods used in primatological research and the issues involved in primate conservation

Suggested Readings
(Contact instructor to verify required textbook)

Students should familiarize themselves before arriving at Ometepe BFS with general information about primates and tropical ecosystems. The following books are useful and available at many university libraries:

Dolhinow, P. & A. Fuentes. (1999). The Nonhuman Primates. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing.
Janzen, D.H. (ed). (1983). Costa Rican Natural History. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Kricher, J.C. (1997). A Neotropical Companion, 2nd ed. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Rowe, N. (1996). The Pictorial Guide to the Living Primates. New York: Pogonias Press.
Smuts, B.B., D.L. Cheney, R.M. Seyfarth, R. Wrangham, & T.T. Struhsaker (eds.).
(1987). Primate Societies. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Textbook / Please contact instructor to verify:
Strier, K.B. (2003). Primate Behavioral Ecology, 2nd ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. (Abbreviation S)
You will need to purchase a course-pack of readings once at Ometepe for $10. (Abbreviation R)

Independent Research Projects

During the second week of the course, you will work up a proposal for your independent research project. We will discuss these, providing constructive feedback to each other. Prior to commencement of the research project, a proposal indicating the research question, design and expectations will be completed and presented to the class. During the latter part of the course, data will be collected and analyzed. At the end of the course, each student will make an oral presentation to the class and also provide a written research report.

Students with Special Needs

If any member of the class has a disability and needs special accommodations, please let me know ASAP. I will be happy to work with you to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform well in the class.

Academic integrity is violated by any dishonesty in submitting field exercises, tests, or the independent research projects. Any clear violation of academic integrity will be met with sanctions.