Anthony F. Di Fiore is an primatologist who has been conducting field research in the Ecuadorian Amazon since 1991.[1] The main subject of his research is the behavior and ecology of Atelines (woolly, spider and howler monkeys) and the evolution of pair-bonding and monogamy (titi and saki monkeys). He is a Centennial Commission Professor in the Department of Anthropology at The University of Texas at Austin.[2] He also conducts genetic research, often collecting samples through noninvasive means.[3]

Di Fiore at Tiputini Biodiversity Station

Education

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Di Fiore graduated from Cornell University in 1990 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences (Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics). His graduate studies took place at the University of California at Davis under Dr. Peter Rodman. He completed his doctorate in 1997.[1]

Career and research

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After completing postdoctoral research in the Molecular Genetics Laboratory at National Zoological Park – Smithsonian Institution and University of Maryland in College Park, Di Fiore moved to New York University where he was a member of the Anthropology Department's faculty for 11 years.[1] After moving to the University of Texas at Austin in 2011, he became Chair of the Anthropology Department from 2014 to 2021.[4]

Since 1993, Di Fiore has been conducting field research in Yasuni National Park in Ecuador, first at the Proyecto Primates Research Area and currently at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station.[5] Both sites are in primary rainforest and include a diverse primate community of 10 to 12 different species. Interested in behavior and ecology, much of Di Fiore's research has focused on the Atelines (especially Lagothrix lagotricha and Ateles belzebuth), a clade of primates that shares features with African great apes in that females migrate from the groups they are born into and males are closely related. Genetic research augments field work, providing greater detail about population structure. Camera traps are also used for data collection, especially near salt licks.[6]

Di Fiore collaborates with numerous projects and researchers throughout the Americas.[1][7][8][9]

Awards and honors

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Outreach

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Curriculum vitae, retrieved August 20, 2023
  2. ^ a b Macknight, Lauren (May 6, 2022). "Anthony Di Fiore, Professor of Anthropology at UT Austin, Elected to American Academy of Arts & Sciences". College of Liberal Arts, The University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  3. ^ Mahon, Elise (August 2, 2023). "Researchers are using monkey poop to learn how an endangered species chooses its mates". University of Wisconsin-Madison. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "2 UT Austin Faculty Members Elected to National Academy of Sciences". The University of Texas at Austin. April 29, 2021.
  5. ^ "Primate Studies at TBS". Tiputini Biodiversity Station.
  6. ^ Pallardy, Richard (August 18, 2023). "Watch sloth fight off ocelot in incredibly rare footage from deep in the Amazon rainforest". LiveScience.com.
  7. ^ Cummings, Mike (January 17, 2020). "Yale anthropologist: Muddled terms hinder study of monogamy in mammals". Yale University.
  8. ^ "For spider monkeys, social grooming comes with a cost". EurekAlert. May 19, 2015.
  9. ^ "Google Scholar, retrieved August 21, 2023".
  10. ^ "Five National Academy of Sciences Members Join TAMEST in 2021". The Academy of Medicine, Engineering, and Science of Texas.
  11. ^ Aiello, Leslie (March 20, 2018). "AAPA 2018 Plenary Lecture".
  12. ^ "2016 Fellows". American Association for the Advancement of Science.
  13. ^ Di Fiore, Anthony (February 3, 2011). "Preparing to Leave the Amazon, and Telling Tales of Parasites Past". The New York Times.