We describe the acquisition, sharing and consumption of meat by wild Guinea baboons. Males were the hunters and shared meat passively only with females in their social and reproductive units. Females were able to acquire meat from sharing episodes and by scavenging from their male social partners. The presence of existing social bonds, rather than short-term exchanges of meat for sex, is likely a driving factor in the occurrence of meat sharing between males and females in this species.

The increasing prevalence of chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorders (AIMIDs) in aging human populations creates a high unmet need for safe and effective medications. However, thus far the translation of pathogenic concepts developed in animal models into effective treatments for the patient has been notoriously difficult. The main reason is that currently used mouse-based animal models for the pipeline selection of promising new treatments were insufficiently predictive for clinical success.

We investigated collective movements in a group of wild Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) in the Middle Atlas, Morocco. While pauses of the first departing individual enhanced following behavior, the opposite was found for back glancing. To successfully initiate a collective movement, it seemed to be sufficient for a socially integrated group member to take action when other group members signal their willingness prior to departure and to occasionally wait for the group while moving.

This article describes the important role of online resources in enabling scientists and others to improve the care and use of non-human primates used in research, through information exchange, staff training and networking. Emphasis is given to key resources from the NC3Rs on macaque and marmoset behaviour, care and welfare; experimental design; chronic implants in neuroscience; and aspects of drug discovery and development. Use of these resources can benefit both animal welfare and science.

We report on extremely rare events of group eviction and eventually lethal aggression in a group of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) that were targeted against the two highest-ranking females. These events erupted after an infanticide by the highest-ranking female directed at the offspring of a subordinate. We suggest that this aggressive changeover of power between two matrilines was based on the growing group size and was an act of female reproductive competition during birth season.

Inheritance by DNA and RNA as genetic elements has been known for decades. However, inheritance by proteins was completely unexpected. Proteins as carrier of genetic information have been identified in yeast where non-Mendelian inheritance could not be explained by transfer of chromosomes (DNA). Prions in yeast helped to understand structure and function of mammalian prions. The rhesus monkey has been found to be a valid animal model for prion infection and the epigenetically controlled disease.

Parasites play important roles in ecosystems, ultimately by affecting host health and survival. Several host traits generate differences in parasite diversity among host species living in the same habitat. We examine these traits in relation to intestinal parasitism of six sympatric lemur species. We highlight the opportunities of exploring the parasitic fauna of wildlife from a community ecology and evolutionary perspective, and identify avenues for future research on lemur parasitism.

Despite effective antiviral therapy, HIV infection frequently leads to blood cell tumors known as lymphoma in the final disease stage. We have observed the same tumors in monkeys infected with simian immunodeficiency virus. Tumor development coincided with and was fostered by co-infection with the tumorigenic simian homolog to human Epstein–Barr virus. Two cases of lymphoma are presented, one exhibiting an unusual cell surface marker composition and the other obstructing the urogenital tract.