Research with monkeys may yield solutions to conservation issues

She’s still an undergraduate, but Elizabeth Tapanes, a biological sciences major in the School of Environment, Arts and Society, already has five years of research experience under her belt with the DuMond Conservancy for Primates and Tropical Forests.

Tapanes with one of the residents of the conservancy, a squirrel monkey.

Her research with owl monkeys, a species common in Central and South America, is made possible through a partnership between FIU and the DuMond Conservancy. The collaboration enables students to take primate biology, an upper division course that includes training in behavioral research techniques at Monkey Jungle.

Tapanes hopes to earn her graduate and doctoral degrees to pursue primatology research with a focus on animal behavior and endocrinology to find solutions to conservation issues.

“I’m fascinated by owl monkeys because they’re monogamous and that’s not seen in other monkey species,” Tapanes says. “Sexual and social monogamy isn’t as clear cut or simple as you think it is, there’s a lot of grey areas. Conservation and reproduction are linked. I want to use my research to set forth a reproductive plan to address the variety of conservation issues found with this species.

“Conservation is an issue that you deal with no matter where you live,” she asserts. “There are problems affecting the Amazon that may parallel those in the Everglades, especially issues with invasive species. Through our research, we want to bring awareness to the community that there are far-reaching consequences in all of our actions. These include consequences to the human species and other animal species as well.”

Tapanes first became involved with the conservancy as an undergraduate research assistant through the FIU Pre-Veterinary Society.

“Owl monkeys are really special because they’re the only nonhuman primate species that are nocturnal and monogamous,” Tapanes says. “Because of their nocturnal nature, they’re difficult to study in the wild. Having them in a captive environment like the conservancy is important because it facilitates our research.”

Tapanes collects and analyzes data on the food sharing, insect foraging, vocalizations, new pairings and infant rearing behaviors and practices of the owl monkeys.

“Working with the owl monkeys is very rewarding,” Tapanes said. “You interact with them every day and they become so accustomed to you. They rely on you and you rely on them. It’s a great, indescribable dynamic.”

Tapanes says it's a 'great, indescribable dynamic' working with owl monkeys like those shown here.

“Students around the country usually have to travel to Africa, South America and Asia to get the experience of working in a rainforest environment,” said Sian Evans, managing director of the conservancy and an instructor in FIU’s Department of Biological Sciences. “FIU students have the unique opportunity where they can escape the traditional, urban campus and come here to learn and do research in this lush, tropical landscape.”

Amazon Festival

The DuMond Conservancy for Primates and Tropical Forests will celebrate Amazonian biodiversity with the Amazon Festival from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Monkey Jungle.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students. FIU faculty and students are encouraged to attend. Proceeds from the festival will benefit research efforts at the conservancy.

“The festival is a fun and informative family event,” Tapanes says. “It strikes the right balance between the two. If you don’t even know what a primate is, you’ll learn and take something valuable with you.”

The festival includes performances by Brazilian, Colombian and Peruvian dancers, drummers and musicians; a drama written by a Coral Reef High School student; podcasts by Terra Environmental Research Institute; photographs of the Amazon; and a display of Amazonian fruit.