Doctoral Dissertation Improvement: The Effects of Deforestation on Reproductive Fitness in Female Red Colobus (Procolobus rufomitratus) in Kibale National Park, Uganda

哺乳动物的繁殖与雌性的高代谢和生理需求有关。 生活在退化栖息地的动物可能无法满足这些更高的需求;因此，繁殖可能会受到影响。 本研究以乌干达基巴莱国家公园濒危红疣猴（Procolobus rufomitratus）为模型，通过比较生活在森林中已采伐区域和未采伐区域的种群，探讨了栖息地质量与雌性生殖功能之间的关系。本研究主要有三个目的：1）以雌激素和孕激素为指标，探讨栖息地质量与卵巢功能的关系; 2）通过检测皮质醇等中介指标，确定栖息地质量改变生殖功能的机制（应激激素）和酮（营养摄入的指标）;和3）调查栖息地之间的雌性行为差异，特别是关于进食和交配。将采集成年雌性动物的尿液，并分析激素浓度和酮水平。 将采用放射免疫测定法（生殖激素）和酶免疫测定法（应激激素）测量激素浓度。 地理信息系统、遥感技术和食用树测量的组合将用于生境分类。 最后，将记录成年雌性动物的行为观察结果。 通过整合生殖激素、应激激素、酮、行为观察和栖息地特征，本研究将阐明栖息地质量和雌性生殖功能之间的生理和行为联系。 此外，本研究将探讨红疣猴可能使用什么生理机制来科普退化的栖息地，并将考虑表型可塑性和发育反应规范的证据。 总体而言，这项研究将提供重要的理论和方法的考虑，为未来的灵长类动物繁殖的研究，这项研究的结果将被纳入更大的保护和监测项目在基巴莱国家公园。 这项研究将为未来的保护策略和了解非人灵长类动物对其最大威胁栖息地干扰的反应提供重要信息。

Mammalian reproduction is associated with high metabolic and physiological requirements for females. Animals living in degraded habitats may not be able to support these heightened needs; thus, reproduction may be compromised. Using the endangered red colobus monkey (Procolobus rufomitratus) of Kibale National Park, Uganda as a model, this study investigates the relationship between habitat quality and female reproductive function by comparing groups living in previously logged areas of the forest with groups living in unlogged areas. There are three main objectives to this study: 1) to investigate the relationship between habitat quality and ovarian function using estrogens and progestins as indicators; 2) to determine the mechanisms for changes in reproductive function due to habitat quality by examining intermediary indicators such as cortisol (a stress hormone) and ketones (an indicator of nutritional intake); and 3) to investigate female behavioral differences between habitats, especially regarding feeding and mating. Urine will be collected from adult females and analyzed for hormone concentrations and ketone levels. Hormone concentrations will be measured with radioimmunoassays (reproductive hormones) and enzymeimmunoassays (stress hormones). A combination of Geographic Information System, Remote Sensing technologies, and food tree measurements will be used for habitat classifications. Finally, behavioral observations will be recorded for adult females. By integrating reproductive hormones, stress hormones, ketones, behavioral observations, and habitat characteristics, this study will clarify the physiological and behavioral connections between habitat quality and female reproductive function. Additionally, this study will examine what physiological mechanisms red colobus may use to cope with degrading habitats and will consider evidence for phenotypic plasticity and developmental reaction norms. Overall, this research will provide important theoretical and methodological considerations for future studies of primate reproduction, and results of this study will be incorporated into the larger conservation and monitoring project at Kibale National Park. This research will provide crucial information for future conservation strategies and for understanding the response of nonhuman primates to their greatest threat, habitat disturbance.