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Abstract
The investigation of non-human primate health, welfare and conservation is now explored through the gut microbiome as the field has adopted microbiology methods and applications. The gut microbiome in non-human primates can influence survival, health and reproduction of individuals, serving as a crucial component of individual primate life history. This research focuses on the impact the detailed characteristics of captive living can have on the gut microbiome through physical housing, management protocols and heterospecific housing. I completed a comparative look at the impacts of these characteristics on the gut microbiome of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri) through characteristic version type, captive location and wild individual comparisons. Results indicate there are significant relationships between the enclosures, artificial environments, primate management, care protocols, social organization and housing of non-human primates and the composition and/or diversity of the gut microbiome. Comparisons to the wild captive primates suggest there are significant impacts of captivity on the gut microbiome with particular locations having greater impact than others. Applications of these findings are presented as recommendations for housing and care methods in captive locations. Future research will explore the detailed influence of captive diets, enrichment items and primate behavior on the gut microbiome of squirrel monkeys.
