A Non-Invasive Study of Alopecia in Japanese Macaques Macaca Fuscata

The study from over a decade ago investigated alopecia in Japanese macaques and found that 20.5% of the macaques exhibited head alopecia and 4.7% exhibited back alopecia, with adult females being the most affected. Seasonal variation was noted in back alopecia, with more cases in winter, but not in head alopecia. The study also observed that alopecia was more common in provisioned and captive populations compared to wild ones, suggesting that psychological stress and environmental factors may contribute to hair loss. A 3-step scoring system for hair loss assessment was developed, which could be used for monitoring health and well-being in macaque populations. The study highlights the need for further research into the causes of alopecia and recommends environmental enrichment and health assessments for captive animals, as well as improved management for free-ranging populations to reduce chronic social stress.