Monitoring macaque health requires the detection of infectious diseases. Here, we report the screening of a macaque colony for antibodies which indicate selected viral infections. Our results show that infection with beta- and gamma-herpesviruses was frequent, while infection with simian retrovirus type D and simian T cell leukemia virus was not. Measles virus infection was more frequent in animals with extensive contact with humans, but no firm correlation could be established.

Ethiopia is well-known for its high biodiversity and endemism. Among these endemics are two putative subspecies of the guereza: Colobus guereza guereza and C. g. gallarum. Our molecular study supports the two-subspecies hypothesis, making C. g. gallarum an Ethiopian endemic taxon. In combination with its very restricted range, C. g. gallarum is most likely one of the most endangered subspecies of black-and-white colobus.

Aging Western societies are facing an increasing prevalence of chronic autoimmune-mediated inflammatory disorders (AIMIDs). Animal models have a crucial role in the preclinical research of disease mechanisms and therapy development. Multiple sclerosis is an AIMID specifically affecting the brain and spinal cord. We discuss here a unique MS model in common marmoset monkeys, which has provided novel insights into the disease process as well as into the mechanism of action of new therapies.

Reactions to predators vary a lot in primates and can be passive (hiding, fleeing) or active (mobbing, alarm calls). Due to their secretive lifestyle, Neotropical titi monkeys are thought to use mainly passive crypsis and hiding as anti-predator responses. Predator mobbing has been reported only for one titi species, Callicebus nigrifrons. We report mobbing of an ocelot and Boa constrictor in red titi monkeys and Plecturocebus cupreus, and alarm calling as a reaction to tayras and raptors.

We investigated the effect of estrogen withdrawal on bone tissue in adult female marmoset monkeys. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal tibia and the second-last lumbar vertebral body was monitored before and up to 12 months after ovariectomy. All animals lost BMD in proximal tibia, but not in the vertebra. This supports the idea that ovariectomized marmoset monkeys may serve as a model for anti-osteoporosis drug testing.

Stem-cell-based regenerative therapies in patients, e.g., for a failing heart or Parkinson's disease, are within reach. However, studies in appropriate animal models are required to make the final step to the clinic. In this context, the baboon may represent a valuable animal model for specific purposes. Here, we generated five so-called induced pluripotent stem cell lines from the baboon, which may be useful for preclinical testing of the respective therapeutic approaches.