Dr. Janice L. Chism, Professor
Research in Primate Studies, Behavioral Ecology and Conservation Biology at
Winthrop University
A Study of the Ethnobotanical Resources Used by Traditional Healers in the Peruvian Amazon - J.
Manning and J. Chism
Ethnobotanists and international pharmaceutical companies recognize the tropical forests of Amazonia as the
source of an almost endless number of plants with potential healing properties. Traditional healers in this region
have long used local plants for physical and psychological ailments. Our study of several traditional healers
(shamans) working in small villages along the Tahuayo River seeks to identify the basis for selection of
particular plants as treatments for particular conditions.
Hunting and Market Economics in the Area of the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Communal Reserve,
Amazonian Peru - H. Matthews and J. Chism
This is a study-in-progress of the economic decision-making process of hunters living in river communities
along the Tahuayo River in the Peruvian Amazon. Local people (including hunters) in this area established a
communal nature reserve to protect rare species of animals, including the endangered red uakari monkey. Yet,
hunting continues in the reserve. By studying the hunters, including what species they prefer, where and how
often they hunt and what happens to the bush meat (whether it is used for household consumption, sold locally
or in distant markets) we hope to discover better strategies to protect wild species in this area.
Foraging and Ranging Behavior of Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in an Urban Habitat - J. Chism
This is an ongoing study of a population of red foxes living in a small forest on the Winthrop campus. The area
is completely surrounded by urban residential neighborhoods which the foxes also utilize. Data on the diet,
reproduction and ranging behavior of these animals are being collected directly (through observation) and from
analysis of fecal samples for reproductive hormones, DNA and diet composition.
An Initial Survey of Red Uakaris (Cacajao calvus ucayalii) in the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Communal
Reserve, in Amazonia Peru - N. Ward and J. Chism
Red uakari monkeys are a little-studied and rare species of primate inhabiting a restricted region of
northeastern Peru. In 2001 we carried out a survey of groups of uakaris living in and around the TamshiyacoTahuayo Communal Reserve which might make good candidates for a long-term study of the behavioral
ecology of that species. We were successful in locating red uakari groups along the Tangarana River and the
Quebrada Tahuaillo. (See Ward and Chism, 2003. A report on a new geographic location of red uakaris
(Cacajao calvus ucayalii) on the Quebrada Tahuaillo in northeastern Peru. Neotropical Primates 11).
Conservation Biology of de Brazza's Monkeys (Cercopithecus neglectus) in Kisere National Forest
Reserve, Kenya - J. Chism, R. Wilmott and T. Kowalczyk
De Brazza’s monkeys once occurred widely in riverine forests in Western Kenya. Population increases and
habitat loss have reduced the numbers and limited the distribution of this species in Kenya over the last 20
years. Recent field surveys indicate that only one viable population of de Brazza’s remain in Kenya, in the small
forest reserve of Kisere. This forest, once probably contiguous with the Kakamega Forest block, is now
surrounded by farmland and is heavily utilized for wood and other forest products by local people. We
resurveyed the de Brazza’s population in this reserve in 1996 to determine whether its numbers were
increasing, holding steady or declining. We determined that the population had remained at the same level for
at least 20 years. While this seemed positive on its face, the very small group size of this species means that
subadults must emigrate to other groups. Since there are no longer any viable nearby populations outside of
Kisere for these animals to emigrate to or to act as a source of immigrants the possibility of reduced gene flow
in and out of this population is a serious one. (See Chism, J. and M. Cords, 1997-8. De Brazza’s monkeys
(Cercopithecus neglectus) in the Kisere national Reserve, Kenya. African Primates 3: 18-22).
Reproductive Life Histories, Social Behavior and Female Reproductive Cycles of Diana Monkeys
(Cercopithecus diana) - R. Bagwell and J. Chism
This study of reproductive behavior in an endangered guenon species combined observations of a captive pair
of Diana monkeys with analysis of menstrual cycle data in an attempt to identify possible caulooked at
reproductive life history data for the entire population of Diana monkeys housed in U.S. zoos and registered in
the AZA Diana Monkey Studbook. We also developed a more “user-friendly” approach to analyzing data in the
studbook using computer genealogical software. A main goal of this study was to provide zookeepers with
more accessible information about the reproductive performance and genetic relationships of endangered
species housed in U.S. zoos.
Reproductive Biology and Conservation of Black-footed Cats (Felis negripes) - M. Byrd and J.
Chism
A study of the reproductive biology of a pair of black-footed cats housed at Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South
Carolina in which reproductive and social behavior of the pair (collected via direct observation) were correlated
with hormonal measures of reproductive status of the pair. This was done using enzyme immunoassays of
steroid hormones extracted from fecal samples collected by zoo personnel. This study provided important
information on behaviors which can be used as cues of reproductive states to help zoo keepers more
effectively manage breeding of this endangered species of African cat. These observations provided some of
the only behavioral data on mating available for this species.