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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [HEALTH]
2 clusters · 6 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated
Macaque behavioral changes following viral outbreak
Overview
Research conducted by the University of California San Diego at a Texas primate sanctuary indicates that Japanese macaques develop heightened caution toward potentially contaminated food following exposure to a deadly disease. The study focused on a population that experienced an outbreak of simian retrovirus Type II (SRV) in 2020, a virus causing severe illness and death.
In behavioral trials, macaques that had lived through the outbreak were significantly less likely to consume food placed near simulated contamination compared to unexposed control groups. Specifically, only 47 percent of the outbreak-exposed macaques ate from a surface marked by simulated feces, while 79 percent of the unexposed macaques did so.
Researchers suggest these findings support the concept of a ‘behavioral immune system,’ where animals alter their behavior to avoid infection as an evolutionary strategy. The study also noted that early-life experiences, such as being raised as pets, influenced these avoidance behaviors.
Entities
University of California San Diego · Texas · Federico Rossano · Stephan Kaufhold · Japanese macaques
Timeline
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[HEALTH] 2 sourcesMacaques show increased food caution following viral outbreak
UC San Diego researchers found that macaques exposed to a deadly viral outbreak became significantly more cautious of potentially contaminated food, showing increased disgust sensitivity.
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[HEALTH] 4 sourcesJapanese macaques show increased caution after viral outbreak
Researchers found that Japanese macaques living through a deadly viral outbreak became significantly more cautious of potentially contaminated food, suggesting an evolutionary behavioral immune system.
Sources
animalprotectionparty.ca · news-medical.net · newswise.com · ritzherald.com · singtaousa.com · time.news