International Journal of Primatology, Vol. 18, No. 3, 1997

Book Review

Research and Captive Propagation. Edited by Udo GansloBer, J. KeithHodges, and Werner Kaumanns. Filander Verlag, Fiirth, Germany,1995, 338 pp., DM 49.80 (paperback).

This collection of abstracts and additional invited chapters emanatesfrom the first workshop on "Research and Captive Propagation," held atthe University of Erlangen, Germany, April 15-17, 1994. The publicationis intended to help raise awareness of the importance of research work inzoological gardens and to promote cooperation between them and researchinstitutions. The 32 chapters discuss issues and their implications for captivebreeding, including microtaxonomy, nutrition, energetics and thermoregu-lation, olfactory imprinting, endogenous rhythms, cognition studies, socialrelationships, and the more obvious endocrine monitoring, artificial insemi-nation, contraceptive methods, and germ plasm cryopreservation.

The variation in authors' writing styles is distracting. The format ofinformation presented is variable and ranges from background definitionsand facts to subjective descriptive material to basic and/or applied research.The depth of detail is also quite variable among chapters. The chaptersthat provide practical examples or suggestions for breeding and manage-ment of species in captivity are easier to read. Many of the studies,particularly field investigations, were quite interesting. One such exampleis the nutritional ecology of koalas described in Hume's chapter on nutri-tion.

The authors are European and Australian scientists. Some of themappear to lack familiarity with the literature in a given area, as evidencedby the failure to include pertinent citations. Other authors define not onlywhat is known about a specific topic but also problems that remain un-solved and how research could provide answers. This serves to illustratethe declared need for more cohesiveness and cooperation between zoosand research institutions.

The volume may be of limited interest and usefulness to primatologists.Few chapters focus exclusively on nonhuman primates. Those that do in-

471

0164-291/97/0600-0471$12.50/0 © 1997 Plenum Publishing Corporation

472 Book Review

elude a chapter on artificial insemination and three describing propaga-tion-related research performed on Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii),bonobos (Pan paniscus), and lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus). Leusand Macdonald's chapter on gastrointestinal anatomy, dietary selection anddigestion briefly mentions comparative models such as colonic disease intamarins and diabetes mellitus in Celebes macaques. Other chapters, suchas those addressing control of behavior, long-term influences of social situ-ation, and social relationships and separations, include multiple referencesand data on nonhuman primates. This publication is not a how-to manualcontaining techniques for successful propagation of species in captivity. Itprovides an overview of many research areas deserving attention. This vol-ume has provided the European Association of Zoological Gardens andAquaria (EAZA) and other associations and research institutions, whichsupport the World Zoo Conservation Strategy, with areas on which to focustheir collective research efforts.

Susan A. IliffDivision of Laboratory Animal MedicineOregon Regional Primate Research Center505 NW 185th AvenueBeaverton, Oregon 97006