Golden Lion Tamarins Leontopithecus rosalia Some General Info

Golden Lion Tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia)

Some General Info… Ø Distribution : Atlantic forest of Brazil in the closed canopy 3 -10 feet off the ground. Ø Social groups : Family groups of 4 to 11 individuals. Only one breeding pair in a group. Golden Lion Tamarins are territorial and defend their territory with scent marking and vocalized threats. Ø Lifespan : 15 years Ø Length : l Head + Body : 7. 8 - 13. 3 inches (200 -340 mm) l Tail : 12. 3 - 15. 6 inches (315 -400 mm) Ø Weight : 12. 7 -25 ounces (360 to 710 g)

Continued… Ø Diet : insects, fruit, flowers, frogs and small lizards Ø Reproduction : l Gestation is 125 to 130 days with a litter of two. l Ø Infants are carried by the mother for the first week, then the father takes over. The babies are transferred to the mother for feedings. l Weaned: 3 months l Independent at 4 months l Maturity at 1 year One of the most endangered of all primates! l About 1, 200 Golden Lion Tamarins live in the wild, most in or near the Reserva Biologica in the state of Rio de Janeiro. About 450 live in zoos worldwide.

Primate Info Ø Tamarins are considered New World Primates (Platyrrhines). This means: l They have a broad nose with nostrils that point off to the side. l They require vitamin D 3 l Some have a prehensile tail l They don’t have “butt pads” no swelling of the sex skin l They have no opposable thumbs l Lack cheek pouches

What Skin? ! Ø Red swelling to attract males during ovulation, when female is most fertile. Ø Common in Old world species due to lack of smell, sight is more important than pheromones.

Primates in Captivity Ø Are more intelligent creatures l l Some are able to problem solve, put together puzzles Can suffer psychological damage and exhibit stereotypic behaviors if environment is not suitable. Ø In order to keep a healthy primate, environmental enrichment is key!

Environmental Enrichment Ø Should simulate a primates natural environment as much as possible…. l l l Trees, branches, vines for climbingswinging Proper temperaturehumidityspace requirements for specific primate Toys that encourage foraging and working for food Percheshutches for sleeping If a social primate, then be sure to house with others

Primates in captivity Ø Primates and Humans can share diseases, therefore a rigorous quarantinetesting protocol must be in place when handling these animals. Ø One major diseases Primates and Humans can share is: l Tuberculosis

TB In 1972 over 800 cases of TB in monkeys reported to the CDC Ø Caused by a Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Ø Signs include Ø l l l Sudden death in an otherwise seemingly healthy animal Tires quickly Lethargy Diarrhea Skin ulcerations Enlarged nodules on liver and spleen

TB Ø Diagnosis l l Tracheal wash TB test Ø The Mantoux skin test uses TB antigens called purified protein derivative (PPD). The test cannot tell if the infection is active or inactive (radiographs). The PPD is the test used when testing humans. Ø TB test in primates is a ID injection of. 1 m. L mammalian tuberculin into the eyelid or stomach. This makes reading results easy. l A positive result is marked by extensive swelling and redness around the injection site that lasts for 72 hours or more.

Prevention Ø Always wear protective gear, don’t take chances! Ø All incoming primates should have a physical exam, be TB tested and quarantined Ø Quarantine TB testing should be 1 test on alternating eyelids given at 2 week intervals for 3 consecutive weeks so a minimum of 6 weeks in quarantine Ø If positive while in quarantine, must be moved to isolation until problem has resolved, then can be re-released back into quarantine

Prevention cont’d…. Ø In a closed colony (no movement of monkeys in and out of the colony) l l Humans should be tested 1 xyear Primates tested 2 xyear Ø In an open colony (monkeys come and go) l l Humans tested 2 xyear Primates tested 4 xyear

Physical Exam Ø Should consist of: l l l Radiographs – looking for any signs of active TB in the lungs Oral inspection – looking for Herpes B lesions Tattooing Interdigital rectal palpation – to assess reproductive status Fecal check Abdominal palpation

Chemical Restraint Used very often for primates especially in Research and zoo settings. Ø Common drugs used are: Ø l Ketamine (5 -25 mgkg) – • • • Most commonly used Controlled substance Dissociative anesthetic l Stimulates reticular activating system • Administered through IM injection. • Minimal cardiovascular effects • Doesn’t provide good analgesia or muscle relaxation so it can be paired with Xylazine (KetamineXylazine – 510 mg/kg/1 -2 mg/kg)

Chemical Restraint Cont’d…. Ø Tiletaminezolazepam: l l Combo dissociative anesthetic and tranquilizer – muscle relaxation, no analgesia Controlled substance Longer duration of effect than Ketamine in larger primates Most often used instead of ketamine for chemical restraint and short procedures on smaller primates like tamarins.

Anesthesia Ø Pre-anesthetics l Atropine (. 05 mg/kg IM) • Increase heart rate • Minimize saliva production l Glycopyrrolate (. 005 -. 01 mg/kg IM) • Longer last than atropine, same effects l Tranquilizers • • • l Diazepam (ketval – 5 mg/kg/1 mg/kg IM) Midazolam Provide muscle relaxation, no analgesia, may decrease heart and respiratory rates Sedatives • • • Xylazine (with ketamine 5 -10 mg/kg/1 -2 mg/kg) Medetomidine (100 mcg/kg + Ketamine 5 mg/kg IM – baboons) Provide sedation, muscle relaxation, and analgesia. Lower heart rate and BP and can cause vasoconstriction • Can be reversed with Yohimbine, and Atipamazole

Other Drugs…. Ø Drugs used for induction include: l Barbituates • Thiopental (15 -20 mg/kg IV bolus to effect) • Pentobarbital (5 -15 mg/kg IV) – not used often due to complications such as l l l Dose dependent cardiovascular depression Violent recoveries Propofol • • • In Rhesus monkeys – 2. 5 -10 mg/kg IV bolus In Baboons – 5 mgkg IV bolus 0. 4 -0. 6 mg/kg/min for maintenance of continuous IV Minimal analgesic effects, can pair with Fentanyl Given IV as bolus or constant infusion APNEA!

Inhalant Anesthetic Agents Ø Halothane l l Ø Requires precision vaporizer Reaching desired depth takes longer than with Isoflurane Sensitizes heart to epinephrine = arrhythmias Increase intracranial pressure due to increased cerebral blood flow Isoflurane l l l Requires precision vaporizer Depth of anesthesia quickly adjusted – elimination of drug occurs almost entirely through the lungs Minimal cardiovascular effects

Inhalant Anesthetic Agents Ø Nitrous Oxide l l l Only used to reduce amount of other inhalants in order to reduce their negative effects Minimal respiratory depression Produces less anesthesia in primates than in humans – so it can never be used alone

Anesthesia cont’d Ø Remember to always l l Intubate and inflate cuff Provide eye lubricant Take the primates temperature and provide a heat source to avoid hypothermia Monitor vitals • • • Blood pressure Pulse rate Reflexes

Any Questions?

Bibliography Ø http: //www. vet. uga. edu/vpp/clerk/willis/index. php http: //nationalzoo. si. edu/Conservation. And. Scienc e/Endangered. Species/GLTProgram/ Ø http: //www. rogerwilliamsparkzoo. org/what_to_se e/tropical_america/tropamerica_gltamarin. cfm Ø Ø The Laboratory Nonhuman Primate l l l Jeffrey D. Fortman Terry A. Hewitt B. Taylor Bennett