Laboratory of Primate Morphology

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The Laboratory of Morphology 

The Laboratory of Morphology houses the world's largest skeletal collection of rhesus macaques, serving as an essential resource for morphological research. This facility supports studies in evolutionary and developmental biology, comparative anatomy, and forensic science, providing researchers with invaluable insights into primate anatomy that are critical for both academic research and practical applications in medicine and species conservation. Our collections comprise over 4500 specimens, including mostly complete skeletons from:

  • Over 3300 Indian-origin Macaca mulatta
  • 93 non-Macaca mulatta
  • 281 Erythrocebus patas
  • 97 Saimiri sciureus
  • 58 Cercopithecus aethiops
  • 38 Cebus of various species

Our Macaca mulatta are derived from the Cayo Santiago Biological Field Station, which was founded in 1938 and has been under continuous study since the 1950s. The collection itself spans over 70 years, from the 1950s to the present, and includes known-age individuals of all ages, from the fetal period to adulthood, as well as pedigree information from over 2500 individuals. The Cayo Santiago rhesus macaque population is under intense behavioral study, allowing intensive study of the links between skeletal indicators and behavioral factors ranging from locomotion to parity to social rank. Finally, ecological data is available for Cayo Santiago, allowing research into the links between skeletal indicators and environmental factors such as diet or stress. The collection continues to grow, with additional kinds of data available for more recent individuals. In addition to the skeletal specimens, our collection includes hand and foot casts preserving dermatoglyphs from Macaca mulatta individuals of various ages. Our non-Macaca skeletal specimens generally have a small amount of data (dates of birth and death, medical records) available and represent a variety of ages. We also hold several primate skeletal specimens on permanent loan, which are available to study. These include:

  • 50 Alouatta of various species, mainly Alouatta seniculus
  • 10 Cebus, mainly of unknown species
  • 16 Macaca, mainly mulatta
  • 8 Pithecia monachus
  • 4 Callicebus sp.
  • 4 Saimiri sciureus
  • 1 or 2 each of: Aotus sp., Ateles sp., Erythrocebus patas, Papio sphinx, Cacajao sp., Callithrix jacchus, Hylobates sp. (an adult postcranial skeleton), Pongo sp. (a juvenile skull), Pan paniscus (a partial adult postcranial skeleton)

We welcome research applications for short- and long-term projects. We also welcome inquiries from students interested in doing collections or research internships. Please see the attached Research Application Instructions, which includes the Collections Policies. Researchers should apply at least 90 days in advance of their proposed start date or grant deadline for projects that require specimen loans or destructive sampling. All other projects may apply 45 days in advance. Space is allocated on a first come, first served basis. Researchers who have or plan to obtain research funding are expected to pay bench fees.

Selected recent publications using the skeletal collections

  • G. Francis, Q. Wang. 2023. Coming to the Caribbean—acclimation of Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) at Cayo Santiago. American Journal of Biological Anthropology 181(2), 271-295. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24748
  • D. Guatelli-Steinberg, J. Watson, L. Samuel, E. Showalter, F. Lerner, E. Dixon, T.B. Kensler, G. Francis, E. Maldonado, L.A.P. Kohn, M.Q. Zhao, Q. Wang. 2024. Revisiting linear enamel hypoplasia in Cayo Santiago Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): How a stress marker relates to environment and maternal lineage in a rare rhesus colony with known life history. American journal of Primatology, e23692. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23692
  • A.N. Romero, E. Dickinson, C.M. Turcotte, C.E. Terhune. 2023. Skeletal age during hurricane impacts fluctuating asymmetry in Cayo Santiago Rhesus macaques. Ecology and Evolution 13(8), e10425. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10425
  • C.I. Villamil, J.J. Negrón, E.R. Middleton. 2024. Heritability in the Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) vertebral column. American Journal of Primatology, e23686. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23686