Episode 144: How does social rank affect stress hormone production in pregnant gelada monkeys?

The Arch and Anth Podcast

For this edition of the podcast, Sofia Carrera (University of Michigan) is on the show to speak about her new research looking at how early life adversity affects health, hormones and development, with her newest paper out speaking on these themes in the study of gelada monkeys.

What is the landscape like in the Ethiopian Highlands, and how do gelada monkeys find food and interact with each other in this environment? How What are glucocorticoids and how do they give animals the ability to better respond to environmental or social stressors? What unique factors come into play when Sofia studied stress in pregnant mothers? Are maternal health and infant development affected by social dynamics within groups of geladas? Are there metabolic differences between mother geladas going through pregnancy for the first time and those who have been pregnant before? What are the different steps in this scientific process, from collecting fecal samples to analyzing the results in the lab?

On top of these questions, Sofia shares her opinions on the importance of collaborating closely with local Ethiopian conservationists. We speak about her fieldwork experiences both in and outside of Ethiopia, and how she finds the life of a researcher who repeatedly moves for months at a time to work in primatological data collection or conservation efforts. As you're listening, do check out the Simien Mountains National Park's webpage, which currently accepts donations that go towards conservation activities.

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

If you have feedback or questions for Sofia, you can find her on Twitter and her latest paper can be found in the journal General and Comparative Endocrinology (reach out if you need a copy of the .pdf).

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram too.

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