Housing and behavioural testing for long term studies The Housing of Non-Human Primates Used for Experimental Research and Other Scientific Purposes: Issues for Consideration (1997)

Bowditch, A. P., Crofts, H. S., Muggleton, N. G. et al.

Abstract

An approach that has enabled us to achieve success in long term studies, using both marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), is to combine group housing with home-cage behavioural testing. Marmosets are pair-housed (mixed sex with vasectomised males) and rhesus monkeys (juvenile males) are housed in groups of four. For both species multiple cages units joined by rigid linkers are used. During behavioural training and testing sessions, animals are separated by removing or closing the linkers. The test is presented to each animal by attaching the apparatus (a computer controlled touch-sensitive screen) to the home cage. Performance data that is stable over periods of greater than 12 months have been obtained for both species.