Primatological

Primatological refers to the field or aspects of primatology, the scientific study of non-human primates, including apes, monkeys, and prosimians. Primatology integrates biology, anthropology, psychology, and ecology to understand primate biology, behavior, evolution, and conservation.

The field covers taxonomy and phylogeny, social systems, communication, cognition, feeding ecology, reproduction, development, and disease. Research often combines field observations with laboratory analyses, including genetics and comparative neurobiology.

Historically, primatology emerged from natural history and comparative anatomy in the 19th and 20th centuries. Field studies in the mid-20th century—most notably Jane Goodall's chimpanzee work at Gombe Stream, Dian Fossey's gorilla research in Rwanda, and Birutė Galdikas's orangutan studies in Borneo—helped establish long-term, behavioral approaches and conservation concerns.

Methodologies include long-term fieldwork, behavioral coding, non-invasive genetic sampling, and endocrinology. Ethical considerations emphasize minimizing harm and stress, habitat protection, and adherence to institutional and governmental guidelines.

Primatology informs human evolution, comparative cognition, and conservation biology. It supports the design of protected areas, rehabilitation programs, and policy decisions addressing primate welfare and biodiversity loss.