My research explores intrasexual competition using a combination of behavioral observation, and non-invasive physiological and photogrammetric sampling of wild primates.
My dissertation work investigates intrasexual competition among male woolly monkeys at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Yasuní, Ecuador. My project is part of the ongoing primate research by Dr. Anthony Di Fiore (UT Austin) at this site. I also work with Dr. Amy Lu of Stony Brook University on the endocrinological and morphological aspects of my dissertation. |
Woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha poeppigii) are large-bodied atelines found in South America. They are unusual for their tolerant but non-affiliative male-male social relationships, as well as the morphological variation observed in adult males.
Woolly monkeys live in large multi-male, multi-female groups with some degree of fission-fusion dynamics. Mating is polygynandrous with most copulations initiated by females and little evidence of overt male-male competition. Mating pairs are sometimes interrupted, though by adult females rather than males.
My dissertation quantifies the morphological variation in males using photogrammetric measurements collected using a parallel laser device. I am examining how this variation relates to differences in androgen and glucocorticoid concentrations measured non-invasively using fecal samples, as well as behavioral differences and access to females.
Woolly monkeys live in large multi-male, multi-female groups with some degree of fission-fusion dynamics. Mating is polygynandrous with most copulations initiated by females and little evidence of overt male-male competition. Mating pairs are sometimes interrupted, though by adult females rather than males.
My dissertation quantifies the morphological variation in males using photogrammetric measurements collected using a parallel laser device. I am examining how this variation relates to differences in androgen and glucocorticoid concentrations measured non-invasively using fecal samples, as well as behavioral differences and access to females.