Behavioral management of specific pathogen-free rhesus macaques: Group formation, reproduction, and parental competence (1994)

Schapiro, S. J., Lee-Parritz, D. E., Taylor, L. L. et al.

Abstract

Breeding colonies of specific pathogen-free (SPF) rhesus macaques were established to eradicate the transmission of Herpesvirus simiae and several retroviruses in this species. Strategies to attain this goal included the combination of large numbers of monkeys into groups, the establishment of small unimale groups, and a program using animals that were temporarily socially restricted. .... Initial group formation was amicable for eight months. However, during the first breeding season, there were outbreaks of severe aggression, leading to the permanent removal of three [of seven] males and 17 [of 50] females. Abstract of this work has been published in: Laboratory Animal Science 40: 549, 1990; Lee-Parritz DE, Petto AJ, Casto MB; McIntyre D; Social housing of a timed-mating rhesus monkey colony.