The Correlation Between Alopecia and Temperament in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca Mulatta) at Four Primate Facilities

November 2015 in “ American Journal of Primatology ”

Kristine Coleman, Corrine K. Lutz, Julie M. Worlein, Daniel Gottlieb, Emily J. Peterson, Grace H. Lee, Nicola Robertson, Kendra Rosenberg, Mark T. Menard, Melinda A. Novak

alopecia self-directed behavior freezing defensive behaviors temperament hair loss

TLDR Monkeys with more anxious or inhibited temperaments tend to have less hair loss.

The study conducted on 101 rhesus macaques found a significant negative correlation between alopecia and behaviors indicative of an inhibited or anxious temperament, as measured by the Human Intruder Test (HIT). Specifically, self-directed behavior, freezing, and defensive behaviors were negatively correlated with alopecia, suggesting that individuals with such temperaments had less hair loss. The study also noted differences in behaviors between facilities, implying that environmental conditions can influence behavioral test outcomes. The conclusion drawn was that temperament may play a role in the development of alopecia in these primates, and that future research should consider the pattern and amount of hair loss in relation to temperament.