Using fractal analysis to determine if physical impairment in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) reduces behavioural movement complexity

Free ranging and wild animals sometimes experience challenges of physical wellbeing and optimal movement ability, but assessing if they are stressed in these situations can prove difficult. My research will be focusing on a population of Japanese macaques on Awaji Island, Japan that are born with very high incidences of limb malformations that cause physical impairment. This circumstance provides a rare opportunity to observe behavioural responses to disabilities. Previous work suggests that disabled individuals in the population spend a similar amount of time engaged in locomotion compared to non-disabled individuals since they live within social groups. However, fully understanding and quantifying the costs of these disabilities remains a challenge. Fractal Analysis is a non-invasive method for quantifying subtle variations in the complexity of movement behaviour patterns and sequences. Using Fractal Analysis, I plan to test the hypothesis that impairment caused by congenital limb malformations will alter the complexity of movement behaviours for disabled monkeys under free-ranging conditions; either becoming more stereotypical or conversely more random in their behaviour patterns. This research will potentially reveal whether animals are experiencing subtle difficulties without disturbing them in their natural environments.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sarah Turner

Student:

Partner:

Kyoto University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

Concordia University

Program: