Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
zones (Patterson,
2005
). The relationship between long-tailed macaques and
humans in these zones has mostly been referred to as commensal (Wheatley,
1999
), meaning the monkeys benefit from the relationship without benefiting
or harming their human counterparts. This is true in many cases, however this
relationship also has mutual and parasitic components, and therefore cannot
simply be viewed as a benign commensalism that solely benefits the synan-
thrope while leaving humans unaffected (Fuentes,
2006
). Rather, there is a
whole spectrum of costs and benefits affecting sympatric humans and macaques
that consist of competitive, mutual, and neutral components.
There are several positive impacts that long-tailed macaques have on humans
that may be considered mutualistic. In many regions, long-tailed macaques
are culturally and religiously important to people, particularly where they live
in close proximity to Hindu and Buddhist temples throughout Southeast Asia
(Aggimarangsee,
1992
; Eudey, 1994; Fuentes
et al
.,
2005
; Jones-Engel
et al
.,
2002
; Wheatley,
1999
). Religion plays a role in community cohesion and sup-
port in human societies (Atran 2002), and in such communities macaques are
peripherally associated to this important institution. A supernatural-based rela-
tionship also occurs on some riverine islands in Kalimantan, where local people
believe the monkeys contribute to their good fortune (Gumert,
2004
). In regions
where macaques are associated to religious systems, they often are integrated
into festivals and celebrations, which again are important factors in commu-
nity cohesion and relationship building (Malaivijitnond,
et al
., Chapter 5). In
addition to having a peripheral association to core religious or spiritual beliefs
in some communities, monkeys are also associated with the acquisition of
resources. In some communities macaques are a significant source of revenue
as a tourist attraction. Examples of this are at temple grounds in Bali (Fuentes,
2006
; Wheatley and Putra,
1994b
; Wheatley and Putra,
1995
), Lombok (Hadi,
2005
), and Thailand (Malavijitnond
et al
.,
2005
,
2008
, Chapter 5).
Another benefit for humans from long-tailed macaques is their use as
research animals in the bio-medical and technological sciences worldwide
(Carlsson
et al
.,
2004
; Hagelin,
2004
; Kyes
et al
.,
1998
). Trends in trade sug-
gest that long-tailed macaques have been and continue to be one of the most
used lab primates and constitute greater than 80 percent of the current import-
ation of lab primates in developed nations (MacKinnon,
1986
; Djuwantoko
et al
.,
1993
; USFWS,
2009
, see Box 1.2). In the 70s and 80s world demand
reached 35,000 animals per year (Santosa,
1996
). Use in research provides
one of the greatest benefits any animal has to offer humankind because numer-
ous advancements have been achieved through their use that have aided in the
alleviation of human suffering through the development of new medicines and
technologies. Despite this significant and costly contribution to humanity by
long-tailed macaques, their preferred trade as a major bio-medical model has
