Jane E. Phillips-Conroy, Ph.D.
Professor
Anatomy and Neurobiology
Anthropology
Evolution, Ecology and Population Biology Program
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Office Phone: 314-362-3396
Lab Phone: 314-362-3396
Other Phone:
FAX: 314-362-3446
Box: 8108
Lab Address: 3820 North Building
Email: baboon@wustl.edu
Website: http://thalamus.wustl.edu/PhillipsConroy_Jane.html
Keywords: behavior; ecology; population biology; primate; adaptation
Short Research Description: Population biology and behavior of free-ranging primates. |
Research Abstract:
Our studies of free-ranging primates are focused on how behavioral, demographic and ecological variables function to influence population structure. My research has focused on long-term field studies of baboons in two geographical areas: a hybrid zone between olive and hamadryas baboons in Ethiopia (Papio hamadryas, s.l.) and a population of yellow baboons in Tanzania in Mikumi National Park. We trap and tag as many individuals as possible and examine a broad range of biological features, which we consider in their ecological and behavioral contexts. Our research also addresses the more general question of variation, distribution, adaptation and speciation within the genus Papio as a whole. Since 2004 we have shifted the center of our research south to Zambia, whose baboons are little studied and poorly known. We have located a hybrid zone between grey-footed chacma baboons and yellow baboons along the Luangwa valley, and suspect that this hybrid zone also incorporates kinda baboon genes as well, making it the only workable three-way baboon hybrid zone in Africa.
We have also collected similar data on the vervet monkeys, Chlorocebus aethiops, which are sympatric with the Ethiopian baboons in the Awash National Park, and an ancillary project has been to study the primates of Guyana.
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Selected Publications:
Jolly CJ and Phillips-Conroy JE. Testicular size, Developmental Trajectories and Male Life History Strategies in Four Baboon Taxa. In: Swedell L and Leigh S (eds) Life History, Reproductive Strategies, and Fitness in Baboons (Kluwer Press) 2006 pp 257-276.
Phillips-Conroy JE, and Jolly CJ. Dispersal and Philopatry in the Awash Baboon Hybrid Zone. In: Jones C, and Schwibbe M (eds) Dispersal and philopatry in primates. Primate Report: Special Issue 2004 68:27-52.
Jolly CJ, Phillips-Conroy JE. Testicular size, mating system, and maturation schedules in wild Anubis and hamadryas baboons. Int J Primatol 2003 24:125-142.
Phillips-Conroy JE, Bergmann TJ, Jolly CJ. In: Whitehead PF and Jolly C (eds) Old World Monkeys. Cambridge UK, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000. Chapter 12, Quantitative assessment of occlusal wear and age estimation in Ethiopian baboons.
Kaplan JR, Phillips-Conroy JE, Fontenot MB, et al. Cerebrospinal fluid monoaminergic metabolites differ in wild anubis and hybrid (Anubis-hamadryas) baboons: Possible relationships to life history and behavior. Neuropsychopharm 1999 20:517-524. |