The objective of this research was to describe the organization, connectivity and microstructure of the corpus callosum of the spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi). Non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-tensor imaging were obtained from three subjects using a 3T Philips scanner. We hypothesized that the arrangement of fibers in spider monkeys would be similar to that observed in other non-human primates. A repeated measure (n = 3) of fractional anisotropy values was obtained of each subject and for each callosal subdivision. Measurements of the diffusion properties of corpus callosum fibers exhibited a similar pattern to those reported in the literature for humans and chimpanzees. No statistical difference was reached when comparing this parameter between the different CC regions (p = 0.066). The highest fractional anisotropy values corresponded to regions projecting from the corpus callosum to the posterior cortical association areas, premotor and supplementary motor cortices. The lowest fractional anisotropy corresponded to projections to motor and sensory cortical areas. Analyses indicated that approximately 57% of the fibers projects to the frontal cortex and 43% to the post-central cortex. While this study had a small sample size, the results provided important information concerning the organization of the corpus callosum in spider monkeys.

The objective of this research was to describe the organization and connectivity of the working memory (WM) and executive control (EC) networks in Ateles geoffroyi in resting-state conditions. Recent studies have shown that resting-state activity may underlie rudimentary brain functioning, showing that several brain regions can be tonically active at rest, maximizing the efficiency of information transfer while preserving a low physical connection cost. Whole-brain resting-state images were acquired from three healthy adult Ateles monkeys (2 females, 1 male; mean age 10.5 ± SD 2.5 years). Data were analyzed with independent component analysis, and results were grouped together using the GIFT software. The present study compared the EC and WM networks obtained with human data and with results found in the literature in other primate species. Nine resting-state networks were found, which were similar to resting networks found in healthy human adults in the prefrontal basal portion and frontopolar area. Additionally, components of the WM network were found to be extending into the hypothalamus and the olfactory areas. A key finding was the discovery of connections in the WM and EC networks to the hypothalamus, the motor cortex, and the entorhinal cortex, suggesting that information is integrated from larger brain areas. The correlated areas suggest that many elements of WM and EC may be conserved across primate species. Characterization of these networks in resting-state conditions in nonhuman primate brains is a fundamental prerequisite for understanding of the neural bases underlying the evolution and function of this cognitive system.

We analyzed the traditional knowledge and management of local wild fauna and flora among the inhabitants of the peasant community of Chimalacatlán, together with their perception of local environments, to identify potential species for the future development of a sustainable resource management program. Initial contact with the community was established through an ethnographic survey to identify those with the most knowledge on this topic. Residents were selected for inclusion in the interviews using chain referral sampling. Forty-eight people were interviewed and asked about the species they were familiar with, as well as their methods of fostering/managing some of them. In this context, people cited 83 plant and 44 animal species. The preferred animals for the development of a resource management program were Odocoileus virginianus (white-tailed deer) and Ctenosaura pectinata (Mexican spiny-tailed iguana); while the preferred plants were Amphipterygium adstringens (cuachalalate) and Bursera linanoe (linaloe). For the residents of this community, fauna and flora have constituted an important resource, since various species are used as food, medicinal remedies, firewood, ornaments, and pets. Some species are illegally hunted and/or marketed as a means of subsistence. This study confirms the value of local residents’ knowledge in improving the management of environmental units, as well as the need to strengthen collaboration between decision-makers in development programs and the community.

One of the techniques of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance is Diffusion Tensor Imaging, which measures the speed of diffusion of extracellular water molecules found in tissues. Diffusion tensor imaging allows virtual dissections of functional white matter tracts in the human brain in vivo using regions of interest (ROI) .