Anthropology student and SSUPER research assistant Kellyne Peterson (center; with Tracy Petroski, left, and Rebecca Mildwurm, right) is collecting data on patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) mating and social behavior at the San Francisco Zoo.

Anthropology student and SSUPER research assistant Marcia Brown is collecting data on mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) dominance behavior at the San Francisco Zoo. UPDATE! Marcia presented her research, entitled "Reversal of fortune: A study of the dominance hierarchyy in a captive troop of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx)" at the American Society of Primatologists conference in San Diego in September 2009! See Marcia's study subjects set to music on YouTube!

Graphic: www.sonomasheriff.org

Interested in forensic anthropology? There are several opportunities available to you as an anthropology major. Please view Dr. Alexis Boutin's webpage: 'So you want to be a forensic anthropologist...' for more information..

Marcia Brown is working on an M.A. in Biological Anthropology through the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. Her research focuses on the behavior of an all-male group of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) at the San Francisco Zoo. At left, two of her study subjects (photo: MK Brown).

Brieanna Richards recieved her M.S. in Biology from Sonoma State University in July, 2008. Her thesis focused on the effects of stimuli on ring-tail lemur (Lemur catta) behavior. During the course of her resesarch, she collected behavioral data on a group of captive ring-tail lemurs at Safari West wildlife preserve in Santa Rosa, CA to: 1) compare the behavior of the captive group to wild populations, 2) assess the effects various types of naturally occurring stimuli have on the group's behavior when compared to baseline conditions, and 3) assess if individuals behave differently under various stimuli conditions. Her results indicate: 1) significant differences exist between the Safari West group and wild populations of ring-tail lemurs in terms of time allocated to inactivity, feeding, vocalizing and vigilance, 2) that various types of stimuli significantly affect locomotion, grooming, vigilance and vocalization behaviors in the captive group, but not inactive, scent-marking and feeding behaviors, and 3) individual lemur behavior did not significantly vary. Finally, Brieanna's thesis explores possible future enrichment techniques for the Safari West ring-tail lemurs. Brieanna is currently adjunct faculty in Biology at College of Marin.