Temporal Changes in Vertebral Morphology of the Free‐Ranging Rhesus Macaques From Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico

Key Points

• The study aims to investigate changes in vertebral morphology in free-ranging rhesus macaques over time.
• Analyzed vertebral morphology of a specific population of free-ranging rhesus macaques.
• Compared changes between male and female macaques.
• Assessed potential environmental and physiological factors influencing skeletal changes.
• Overall reduction of skeleton size observed in the population.
• Females exhibited more significant morphological changes compared to males.
• Differences may be linked to physiological demands related to pregnancy and early reproduction.

Abstract