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Synanthropic primates in Asia: Potential sentinels for environmental toxins
Author(s) -
Engel Gregory,
O'Hara Todd M.,
CardonaMarek Tamara,
Heidrich John,
Chalise Mukesh K.,
Kyes Randall,
JonesEngel Lisa
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.21247
Subject(s) - mercury (programming language) , delta , population , zoology , lead exposure , biology , macaque , ecology , environmental health , medicine , cats , computer science , engineering , programming language , aerospace engineering
Abstract Macaques are similar to humans both physiologically and behaviorally. In South and Southeast Asia they are also synanthropic, ecologically associated with humans. Synanthropy with humans raises the possibility that macaques come into contact with anthropogenic toxicants, such as lead and mercury, and might be appropriate sentinels for human exposures to certain toxic materials. We measured lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) levels and characterized the stable isotopic compositions of δ 15 N and δ 13 C in hair from three groups of free‐ranging macaques at the Swoyambhu temple in Kathmandhu, Nepal, an urban population that has abundant contact with humans. Hair lead levels were significantly higher among young macaques and differed among the three groups of macaques that were sampled. Hair Hg levels were low. No statistical association was found between stable isotopic compositions (δ 15 N and δ 13 C) and Pb and Hg levels. Our data did not find evidence that lead levels were associated with diet. We conclude that, in this population of macaques, behavioral and/or physiologic factors may play a significant role in determining exposure to lead. Chemical analysis of hair is a promising, noninvasive technique for determining exposure to toxic elements in free‐ranging nonhuman primates. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.