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Query: UMLS:C0029713 (immaturity)
 4,335 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Ontogenic development is divided into infant, juvenile, adolescent and adult life-stages. Although the developmental trajectory of an individual is a flexible entity, which differs within species, environment and sex, life-stage classifications are generally structured, age-based systems. This invariably leads to rigidity within a dynamic system and consequently hampers our understanding of primate life history strategies. We propose that life-stage classifications should be quantitative, flexible entities, which use a reliable measurement of development. Here, we provide a methodological example where placement into a life-stage is based upon behavioral variance between other similar-aged individuals. Behavioral data were collected from 12 male (3-11 years old) and 9 female (3-8 years old) captive immature western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) housed in five family groups, using continuous focal sampling; 900 hr of data were collected over 131 days. Data were applied to four published life-stage classifications for mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), which showed variable ability to determine life-stage in western gorillas. A new life-stage classification (Hutchinson & Fletcher) was proposed specifically for western gorillas, whereby multiple co-varying behavior provided a robust measure of linear development across immaturity. Each life-stage was found to be a distinct ontogenic phase and the classification discriminated life-stage with a high level of accuracy. Using the Hutchinson & Fletcher classification we provide evidence for disparity in developmental trajectories between the sexes from the juvenile period onwards. To expand the understanding of primate life histories, we propose that flexible classifications should be used to enable comparison of allometric life history traits within and between species, from birth onwards.
Am J Primatol 2010 Jun
PMID:Using behavior to determine immature life-stages in captive western gorillas. 2008 39

Crested gibbons (Nomascus) are in the rarest genus of the family Hylobatidae, with the Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus) being the rarest primate in the world. In the past, the number of species in this genus has been at the center of much controversy, in part, because their color changes during immaturity as well as other factors, such as physical similarities in genitalia, creating difficulties in accurately determining the sex of individuals. Furthermore, owing to their rarity, illusiveness, and the rough terrain that comprises their native habitat, Nomascus is one of the least studied Hylobatidae. This article represents the most comprehensive dissemination of visual characteristics of the genus Nomascus to assist in the accurate identification of captive and wild crested gibbons. Through differences in pelage color, skeletal anatomy, dentition, vocalizations, behavior, distribution, and genetic studies, we are able to determine more accurately whether or not a subspecies should be elevated to species level. From the current data, there are six species and one subspecies in the genus Nomascus. However, reports of a recently identified light-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus sp.) in northeast Cambodia, Central Vietnam, and South Lao PDR, will add additional taxa to this genus.
Am J Primatol 2011 Feb
PMID:A comparative study of crested gibbons (Nomascus). 2095 47