Some guidelines for collection and reporting of nonhuman primate growth data

Some basic guidelines were offered to aid researches in planning and implementing the collection and reporting of data on growth and development of nonhuman primates. Weight and linear dimensions are the most frequently used measures of growth, and asseous and dental development are the most useful indicators of general bodily maturity. Estimates of sexual development can be made from general bodily maturity but more accurate assessments are based on the appearance of certain secondary sex characters. The most useful growth data are obtained from repeated, regularly scheduled examinations of the same individual. Standard procedures for measuring the external body utilize certain specific measuring points and measurements. Serial radiographs are also extremely valuable. When reporting data, age of subjects should be given in years and decimals. Means and other measures of central tendency and variability should be reported separately for each species, subspecies, and sex.