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

哺乳动物的繁殖与对雌性动物的高代谢和生理要求有关。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Kibale国家公园濒临灭绝的红根瘤猴(Procolbus Rufomitratus)为模型，通过比较生活在森林原伐区和未采伐区的群体，探讨栖息地质量与雌性生殖功能的关系。这项研究有三个主要目的：1)以雌激素和孕激素为指标，研究栖息地质量与卵巢功能的关系；2)通过检测皮质醇(应激激素)和酮(营养摄入量指标)等中介指标，确定栖息地质量引起生殖功能变化的机制；3)调查不同栖息地的雌性行为差异，特别是在取食和交配方面的差异。尿液将从成年女性身上收集，并进行激素浓度和酮水平的分析。激素浓度将用放射免疫测定法(生殖激素)和酶免疫测定法(应激激素)进行测量。将结合地理信息系统、遥感技术和食用树测量进行栖息地分类。最后，将记录成年雌性的行为观察。通过结合生殖激素、应激激素、酮类、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，这项研究还将研究红根瘤可能使用什么生理机制来应对退化的生境，并将考虑表型可塑性和发育反应规范的证据。总体而言，这项研究将为未来灵长类繁殖的研究提供重要的理论和方法考虑，研究结果将被纳入基巴莱国家公园更大的保护和监测项目。这项研究将为未来的保护战略和了解非人类灵长类动物对其最大威胁-栖息地干扰的反应提供关键信息。

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.