Morphometrical Study of Physical Growth of Laboratory-bred Cynomolgus Monkeys: A Longitudinal Study during the First 6 Years of Life

Abstract

Physical growth was studied longitudinally in laboratory-bred cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) aged between zero and 6.0 years (females), and between zero and 6.5 years (males) . A series of 17 variables representing physical elements were measured in 12 females and 10 males. Rates of increase in morphological total face length and morphological upper face length were somewhat larger than rates of increase in head length and head breadth. Trunk traits showed relatively high growth rates compared to those of leg and arm traits. Growth functions (Gompertz, logistic and quadratic equations) were applied to the growth data. The quadratic equation had the closest fit to the morphometrical growth data in this primate species.