The Natural History of Model Organisms: The rhesus macaque as a success story of the Anthropocene

Eve B. Cooper, Lauren J.N. Brent, Noah Snyder-Mackler, Mewa Singh, Asmita Sengupta, Sunil Khatiwada, Suchinda Malaivijitnond, Zhou Qi Hai, James P. Higham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Of all the non-human primate species studied by researchers, the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) is likely the most widely used across biological disciplines. Rhesus macaques have thrived during the Anthropocene and now have the largest natural range of any non-human primate. They are highly social, exhibit marked genetic diversity, and display remarkable niche flexibility (which allows them to live in a range of habitats and survive on a variety of diets). These characteristics mean that rhesus macaques are well-suited for understanding the links between sociality, health and fitness, and also for investigating intra-specific variation, adaptation and other topics in evolutionary ecology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere78169
JournaleLife
Volume11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

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