Verena Behringer

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Department of Primatology
Deutscher Platz 6
D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
phone: +49 341 3550 245
e-mail: verena_behringer@[>>> Please remove the text! <<<]eva.mpg.de
Research Interests
I am currently working on the "growing up"- porject. One major goal of the “growing up” project is to compare developmental changes in bonobos and chimpanzees, to identify similarities and differences during their ontogeny, and relate this to corresponding information from modern humans. Choosing physiological markers (steroids like testosterone and DHEA, thyroid homrones, neopterin, klotho and IGFBP-3) and somatic traits (forearm length measures) that are representative for somatic growth, reproduction, and maintenance, supports the second major goal, to construct life history (LH) profiles of the two ape species. Adding published data from modern humans facilitates the third goal, the detection of LH traits of the last common ancestor of hominoid and hominid primates. The “growing up” project contributes to the existing information: Firstly, it is the first comparative study on the development of bonobos and chimpanzees that is based on a large data set from living individuals that can be transposed from cross-sectional into longitudinal analyses. Second, it includes multiple physiological markers, and combines these measures with data on somatic growth. Third, it includes extensive validation of physiological markers that had not yet been explored in nonhuman primates, or that had been measured in matrices that require invasive sampling. With these non-invasive methods, the project paves the way for elaborate studies of development and LH of apes living in natural environments.
Curriculum Vitae
Current position
Since August 2010 Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Leipzig, Germany.
Theoretical expertise:
- Group living and social stress and coping mechanisms
- Ontogeny, aging, and life history
- Nutrition and energy balance
Labor expertise:
- Measuring and quantifying physiological marker system on stress (glucocorticoids, alpha amylase), reproduction (sex steroids), nutrition (C-peptide), health (Neopterin), development and aging (thyroid hormones, sex steroids, DHEAS, soluble alpha klotho, IGFBP-3)
- Assay validation and -modification
- Extraction methods e.g., to analyze hormones in serum, saliva, feces, and urine
Education
Since January 2014 | Postdoctoral fellow Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Leipzig, Germany. |
July – December 2013 | Postdoctoral fellow Postdoctoral fellow Royal Zoological Society Antwerp, Belgium (KMDA) |
August 2010 – July 2013 | Postdoctoral fellow Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Leipzig |
January 2007 – March 2011 | JUSTUS-LIEBIG-UNIVERSITY GIESSEN PhD, magna cum laude. "Influence of different keeping conditions of the behavior and stress hormones in zoo housed gorilla (Gorilla g. gorilla), Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii) and pygmy chimpanzees (Pan paniscus)" |
Relevant professional experience
June – July 2010 | ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY Volunteer involved in observation and experimental studies with chimpanzee, squirrel monkeys and capuchins. Learning NODLUS observer software. |
October – January 2010 | UNIVERSITY ZÜRICH and FRANKFURT ZOO Scientific project in cooperation with Dr. Thomas Geissmann, Anthropological Institute, University Zürich-Irchel, Switzerland. Title: “Self-cover behavior in Primates“ |
March 2006 – January 2007 | JUSTUS-LIEBIG-UNIVERSITY GIESSEN Scientific project Title: “Investigation of the regurgitation and reingestion behavior in three zoo housed great ape species (Gorilla g. gorilla, Pongo abelii, Pan paniscus“ |
Since January 2008 | ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY FRANKFURT (ZSF) Graduate assistance
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May until June 2009 | FRANKFURT ZOO Trainee-Assistant
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March 2007 – March 2010 | JUSTUS-LIEBIG-UNIVERSITY GIESSEN Graduate assistance
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2006 – 2010 | UNIVERSITY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE VIENNA, Austria Hormon analyzing in apes saliva with an Enzyme-Immuno-Assay (EIA) as well preparing fecal samples for EIA.
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August 2006 | FRANKFURT ZOO Zoo veterinary trainee
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August 2003 | OPEL-ZOO, Georg von Opel-Freigehege für Tierforschung e.V. (Georg von Opel outdoor enclosure for animal research)
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Professional and Public Service
Ad hoc reviewer:
Journal:
- Animal Welfare
- Behaviour
- Clinical Interventions in Aging
- General and Comparative Endocrinology
- International Journal of Primatology
- Journal of Zoo & Aquarium Research
- Methods in Ecology and Evolution
- PloSOne
- Primates
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Scientific reports
- Zoo Biology
Vocational training
February 2010 | EUPRIM-NET, Network Activity 4, German Primate Center, Göttingen
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2008 | EUPRIM-NET, Network Activity 4, German Primate Center, Göttingen
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2007 | EUPRIM-NET, Network Activity 4, German Primate Center, Göttingen
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February 2007 | DOCTORATE PROGRAMME OF GERMAN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY (DZG)-PROFESSIONAL GROUP BEHAVIOR BIOLOGY, Göttingen, German Primate Center and University Göttingen |
28. February 2007 | BASIC WORKSHOP: ANIMAL-TRAINING, Frankfurt Zoo |
24. January 2004 | INSITUTE OF ANTHROPOLOGY, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen Primate ecology course |
2003 – 2004 | JUSTUS-LIEBIG-UNIVERSITY GIESSEN “Methods for animal experiments for biologists “ to obtain a license for laboratory animal science |
Summer 2003 | JUSTUS-LIEBIG-UNIVERSITY GIESSEN Student assistance, Institute for General and Special Zoology
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Volunteer Work
since 2018 | GfP (German Society for Primatology) Boardmember |
2010-2016 | RETTET DEN DRILL e.V. (Society for the prevention of drills) Media officer 2. leader |
June 2009 | FRANKFURT ZOO and ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY FRANKFURT Volunteer, “Gorilla Symposiums“ Year of the Gorilla, 9.-11. June 2009 |
2007 – 2009 | FRANKFURT ZOO “Dreamnight at the zoo” Volunteer |
September 2008 | ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY FRANKFURT Volunteer, conference: “Making Conservation Count/ One Goal with Different Approaches to Making Parks Work“ |
2007 | ASSOCIATION OF GERMAN ZOOKEEPERS Member of the “Working group Madagascar“, Association of German zookeepers (BDZ) for EAZA- Madagascar- Campagne |
Publications
2021
Sonnweber, R., Stevens, J. M. G., Hohmann, G., Deschner, T., & Behringer, V. (2021). Blood testosterone levels in sickness and in health: Male chimpanzee testosterone levels decrease in face of an immune challenge (advance online). American Journal of Primatology, e23334. |
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Behringer, V., Deimel, C., Stevens, J., Kreyer, M., Lee, S., Hohmann, G., Fruth, B., & Heistermann, M. (2021). Cell-mediated immune ontogeny is affected by sex but not environmental context in a long-lived primate species. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 629094. |
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Verspeek, J., Behringer, V., Laméris, D. W., Murtagh, R., Salas, M., Staes, N., Deschner, T., & Stevens, J. M. G. (2021). Time-lag of urinary and salivary cortisol response after a psychological stressor in bonobos (Pan paniscus). Scientific Reports, 11: 7905. |
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Behringer, V., Krumbholz, A., Stevens, J. M. G., Keiler, A. M., Zierau, O., & Hohmann, G. (2021). Exploring the utility of hair endocannabinoids for monitoring homeostasis in bonobos. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 94(2), 83-98. |
2020
Behringer, V., Preis, A., Wu, D., Crockford, C., Leendertz, S. A. J., Wittig, R. M., & Deschner, T. (2020). Urinary cortisol increases during a respiratory outbreak in wild chimpanzees. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7: 485. |
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Behringer, V., Stevens, J. M. G., Deschner, T., & Hohmann, G. (2020). Growing up: Comparing ontogeny of bonobos and chimpanzees. In L. M. Hopper, & S. R. Ross ( |
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Deschner, T., Hohmann, G., Ortmann, S., Schaebs, F. S., & Behringer, V. (2020). Urinary total T3 levels as a method to monitor metabolic changes in relation to variation in caloric intake in captive bonobos (Pan paniscus). General and Comparative Endocrinology, 285: 113290. |
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Tkaczynski, P. J., Behringer, V., Ackermann, C., Fedrurek, P., Fruht, B., Girard-Buttoz, C., Hobaiter, C., Lee, S., Löhrich, T., Preis, A., Samuni, L., Zommers, Z., Zuberbühler, K., Deschner, T., Wittig, R. M., Hohmann, G., & Crockford, C. (2020). Patterns of urinary cortisol levels during ontogeny appear population- rather than species-specific in wild chimpanzees and bonobos. Journal of Human Evolution, 147: 102869. |
2019
Deschner, T., & Behringer, V. (2019). Endocrinological analyses at Taï. In C. Boesch, & R. M. Wittig ( |
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Behringer, V., Stevens, J. M. G., Wittig, R. M., Crockford, C., Zuberbühler, K., Leendertz, F. H., & Deschner, T. (2019). Elevated neopterin levels in wild, healthy chimpanzees indicate constant investment in unspecific immune system. BMC Zoology, 4: 2. |
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Hohmann, G., Vigilant, L., Mundry, R., Behringer, V., & Surbeck, M. (2019). Aggression by male bonobos against immature individuals does not fit with predictions of infanticide. Aggressive Behavior, 45(3), 300-309. |
2018
Löhrich, T., Behringer, V., Wittig, R. M., Deschner, T., & Leendertz, F. H. (2018). The use of neopterin as a noninvasive marker in monitoring diseases in wild chimpanzees. EcoHealth, 15(4), 792-803. |
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Behringer, V., Stevens, J. M. G., Deschner, T., Sonnweber, R., & Hohmann, G. (2018). Aging and sex affect soluble alpha klotho levels in bonobos and chimpanzees. Frontiers in Zoology, 15: 35. |
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Behringer, V., Deimel, C., Hohmann, G., Negrey, J., Schaebs, F. S., & Deschner, T. (2018). Applications for non-invasive thyroid hormone measurements in mammalian ecology, growth, and maintenance. Hormones and Behavior, 105, 66-85. |
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Wu, D., Behringer, V., Wittig, R. M., Leendertz, F., & Deschner, T. (2018). Urinary neopterin levels increase and predict survival during a respiratory outbreak in wild chimpanzees (Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire). Scientific Reports, 8: 13346. |
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Behringer, V., Stevens, J., Deschner, T., & Hohmann, G. (2018). Getting closer: Contributions of zoo studies to research on the physiology and development of Bonobos Pan paniscus, Chimpanzees Pan troglodytes and other primates. International Zoo Yearbook, 52(1), 34-47. |
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Sonnweber, R., Araya-Ajoy, Y. G., Behringer, V., Deschner, T., Tkaczynski, P. J., Fedurek, P., Preis, A., Samuni, L., Zommers, Z., Gomes, C., Zuberbühler, K., Wittig, R. M., & Crockford, C. (2018). Circadian rhythms of urinary cortisol levels vary between individuals in wild male chimpanzees: A reaction norm approach. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 6: 85. |
2017
Wu, D., Behringer, V., Wittig, R. M., Leendertz, F., & Deschner, T. (2017). Urinary neopterin increases during a respiratory outbreak in wild chimpanzees (Tai National Park, Cote d'Ivoire). Folia primatologica, 88(2), 143. |
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Behringer, V., & Deschner, T. (2017). Non-invasive monitoring of physiological markers in primates. Hormones and Behavior, 91, 3-18. |
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Behringer, V., Stevens, J. M. G., Leendertz, F. H., Hohmann, G., & Deschner, T. (2017). Validation of a method for the assessment of urinary neopterin levels to monitor health status in non-human-primate species. Frontiers in Physiology, 8: 51. |
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Boehlke, C., Pötschke, S., Hannig, C., Zierau, O., & Behringer, V. (2017). Does diet influence salivary enzyme activities in elephant species? Journal of Comparative Physiology B-Biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology, 187, 213-226. |
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Wu, D., Behringer, V., Wittig, R. M., Leendertz, F., & Deschner, T. (2017). Urinary neopterin increases during a respiratory outbreak in wild chimpanzees (Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire). Talk presented at 7th European Federation for Primatology Meeting - 30e Colloque de la Société Francophone de Primatologie. Strasbourg, France. 2017-08-21 - 2017-08-25. |
2016
Schaebs, F. S., Wolf, T. E., Behringer, V., & Deschner, T. (2016). Fecal thyroid hormones allow for the noninvasive monitoring of energy intake in capuchin monkeys. Journal of Endocrinology, 231(1), 1-10. |
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Oelze, V. M., Douglas, P. H., Stephens, C. R., Behringer, V., Surbeck, M., Richards, M. P., Fruth, B., & Hohmann, G. (2016). The steady state great ape? Long term isotopic records reveal the effects of season, social rank and reproductive status on bonobo feeding behaviour. PLoS One, 11(9): e0162091. |
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Behringer, V., Wudy, S. A., Blum, W. F., Stevens, J. M. G., Rehmer, T., Boesch, C., & Hohmann, G. (2016). Sex differences in age-related decline of urinary insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 levels in adult bonobos and chimpanzees. Frontiers in endocrinology, 7: 118. |
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Kano, F., Hirata, S., Deschner, T., Behringer, V., & Call, J. (2016). Nasal temperature drop in response to a playback of conspecific fights in chimpanzees: A thermo-imaging study. Physiology & Behavior, 155, 83-94. |
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Behringer, V., Stevens, J. M. G., Kivell, T. L., Neufuss, J., Boesch, C., & Hohmann, G. (2016). Within arm's reach: Measuring forearm length to assess growth patterns in captive bonobos and chimpanzees. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 161(1), 37-43. |
2015
Schaebs, F. S., Wolf, T. E., Behringer, V., & Deschner, T. (2015). Monitoring energy balance in yellow breasted capuchins (Sapajus xanthosternos) by measuring total T3 in non-invasively collected faecal samples. Folia primatologica, 86(4), 353-354. |
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Surbeck, M., Behringer, V., Deschner, T., & Hohmann, G. (2015). Urinary C-peptide levels in male bonobos (Pan paniscus) are related to gregariousness and rank but not to mate competition. Folia primatologica, 86(4), 368. |
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Surbeck, M., Deschner, T., Behringer, V., & Hohmann, G. (2015). Urinary C-peptide levels in male bonobos (Pan paniscus) are related to party size and rank but not to mate competition. Hormones and Behavior, 71, 22-30. |
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Behringer, V., Deschner, T., Deimel, C., Stevens, J. M., & Hohmann, G. (2015). Differences in life history strategies in bonobos and chimpanzees: Evidence from age-related changes in urinary testosterone levels. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 156(S60), 82-82. |
2014
Grüter, C. C., Deschner, T., Behringer, V., Fawcett, K., & Robbins, M. M. (2014). Socioecological correlates of energy balance using urinary C-peptide measurements in wild female mountain gorillas. Physiology & Behavior, 127, 13-19. |
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Behringer, V., Deschner, T., Deimel, C., Stevens, J., & Hohmann, G. (2014). Age-related changes in urinary testosterone levels suggest differences in puberty onset and divergent life history strategies in bonobos and chimpanzees. Hormones and Behavior, 66(3), 525-533. |
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Behringer, V., Deschner, T., Murtagh, R., Stevens, J. M., & Hohmann, G. (2014). Age-related changes in thyroid hormone levels of bonobos and chimpanzees indicate heterochrony in development. Journal of Human Evolution, 66(1), 83-88. |
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Behringer, V., Deschner, T., Murtagh, R., Stevens, J. M., & Hohmann, G. (2014). In bonobos and chimpanzees age-related changes in urinary thyroid hormones indicate heterochrony in their development. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 153(S58), 75-76. |
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Behringer, V., Stevens, J. M. G., Hohmann, G., Möstl, E., Selzer, D., & Deschner, T. (2014). Testing the effect of medical positive reinforcement training on salivary cortisol levels in bonobos and orangutans. PLoS One, 9(9): e108664. |
2013
Behringer, V., Borchers, C., Deschner, T., Möstl, E., Selzer, D., & Hohmann, G. (2013). Measurements of salivary alpha amylase and salivary cortisol in hominoid primates reveal within-species consistency and between-species differences. PLoS One, 8(4): e60773. |
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Behringer, V., Deschner, T., & Hohmann, G. (2013). Growing up in the light of endocrinology: Life history features of Bonobos and Chimpanzees. Folia primatologica, 84, 248. |
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Murtagh, R., Behringer, V., & Deschner, T. (2013). LC-MS as a method for non-invasive measurement of steroid hormones and their metabolites in urine and faeces of animals. Veterinary Medicine Austria, 100(9-10): 4, pp. 247-254. Retrieved from http://www.wtm.at/Archiv.html. |
2012
Behringer, V., Hohmann, G., Stevens, J. M. G., Weltring, A., & Deschner, T. (2012). Adrenarche in bonobos (Pan paniscus): Evidence from ontogenetic changes in urinary dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate levels. Journal of Endocrinology, 214(1), 55-65. |
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Behringer, V., Deschner, T., Möstl, E., Selzer, D., & Hohmann, G. (2012). Stress affects salivary alpha-Amylase activity in bonobos. Physiology & Behavior, 105(2), 476-482. |
2009
Behringer, V.; Clauß, W.; Hachenburger, K.; Kuchar, A.; Möstl, E.; Selzer, D. (2009). Effect of giving birth on the cortisol level in a bonobo groups (Pan paniscus) saliva, Short Communication, Primates, Volume 50, 2009, p. 190-193
DOI
2008
Behringer, V.; Hachenburger, K.; Knott, C.; Selzer; D. (2008). What Is a Gorilla’s Most-Loved Toy?. Shape of Enrichment, Volume 17, Issue 1-2, p. 6-11
Oral presentation
2015 | “Within arm's reach - how and why to measure arm length in bonobos?” Annual CRC Zoo Research Symposium. 20 November 2015. ZOO Antwerpen, Belgium “Age-related changes in urinary thyroid hormones indicate heterochrony in development in bonobos and chimpanzees“ 84th annual meeting, American Association of Physical Anthropologists, 24-28 March 2015, St. Louis, Missouri, USA “Growing up - Hormonal correlates during postnatal development in bonobos and chimpanzees in comparison to modern humans” Seminar talk, Department of Developmental and Comparative Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany |
2014 | "Hormones Reflect Life History Profiles: Evidence from Comparative Studies on Humans and Apes" Invited talk, Max-Planck Institute Tübingen, Germany "Growing up - Hormonal changes during development in bonobos and chimpanzees in comparison to humans" Invited speaker Max-Planck LeadNet, 26/27 May 2014, Mainz, Germany "Growing up – Hormonal changes during development in bonobos and chimpanzees" Invited talk, Anthropology Department, Indiana University Bloomington, USA "Age-related changes in urinary thyroid hormones indicate heterochrony in development in bonobos and chimpanzees" 83rd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, 8-12 April 2014, Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
2013 | "Growing up – Hormones and development in humans and apes" Lecture series "Zoo experience, adventure conservation", 2 October 2013, Frankfurt, Germany “What hormones can tell us about development in bonobos and chimpanzees” Annual CRC Zoo Research Symposium. 29 November 2013. ZOO Antwerpen, Belgium |
2012 | "Adrenarche in bonobos (Pan paniscus). Ontogenetic development in bonobos and chimpanzees." Conference "Non-invasive Monitoring of Hormones" (ISWE 2012), 23. – 26. September 2012, Wien, Österreich |
2010 | "Living together- Zusammen leben?!" V. Behringer 11. Primate Caretaker Meeting Apenheul, Apeldoorn, Netherland, 07.-10. October 2010 "Sumatra Orang-Utans – stressiger Speichel?" (Sumatran Orangutans – stressful saliva?) V. Behringer Meeting of “Naturschutzbotschafter” (Conservation Ambassadors), Frankfurt, 17. February 2010 |
2009 | "Verhaltens- und Stressuntersuchung bei Großen Menschenaffen" (Analyzing behavior and stress in great apes), V. Behringer Annual meeting research group for wild biology in Giessen, 18. Mai 2009, Gießen |
2008 | "Stress of zoo housed apes" and "Moving apes, Ape transfer in Zoo Frankfurt" V. Behringer EUPRIM-Net course „Stress and its Implication on Primate Welfare” 13.10. – 17.10.2008 at the German Primate Centre in Göttingen |
2007 | "Evolution of Enrichment at Ape house Zoo Frankfurt, Germany", C. Knott & V. Behringer 8. International „Environmental Enrichment“ Conference, 5.-10. August 2007, Vienna, Austria |
2006 | "Primatenschatzkisten – Ideen zur Beschäftigung von Menschenaffen" (Treasure chests for primates – Ideas to enriching the life of great apes), V. Behringer 9. Primate Caretaker Meeting Schönbrunn, Vienna, Austria, 27.-29. October 2006 |
Poster
2015 | “Measuring urinary neopterin level variation as a health status indicator in bonobos and chimpanzees” Behringer, V. & Deschenr, T Conference “Non-invasive Monitoring of Hormones” (ISWE 2015), 12. – 14. October 2015, Berlin, Germany “Indication of heterochrony in development of bonobos and chimpanzees from age-related changes in one thyroid hormone” Behringer, V.; Deschner, T.; Murtagh, R.; Stevens, J.M.G.; Hohmann, G. 14th Conference of the Gesellschaft fuer Primatologie, Leipzig, Germany |
2011 | "Stress affects salivary alpha-Amylase activity in bonobos" Behringer, V.; Deschner, T; Möstl, E.; Selzer, D.; Hohmann, G. 8th Internationale Conference on behaviour, physiology and genetics of wildlife, 14.-17. September 2011, Berlin |
2009 | "Cortisol and cortisone measurement in Great Apes’ (Gorilla gorilla, Pan paniscus and Pongo abelii) saliva – one hydrogen atom makes a big difference!" Behringer, V; Clauss, W; Hachenburger, K; Kuchar, A; Möstl, E; Selzer, D. 3rd International Congress European Federation of Primatologists, 12.-15. August 2009, Zürich, Switzerland Financial support: European Federation for Primatology "Stress research in three great ape species (Gorilla g. gorilla, Pan paniscus and Pongo abelii)" Behringer, V; Hachenburger, K; Knott, K; Kuchar, A; Möstl, E; Selzer, D. 11th Conference of the Association of Primatology, 24. – 26. February 2009, Hannover "Eine Geburt ist für die ganze Bonobogruppe ein aufregendes Ereignis" (Giving birth is for the hole Bonobogroup a amazing event) Behringer, V; Clauß, W; Hachenburger, K; Kuchar, A; Selzer, D; Möstl, E. New-Year Conference 2009 University of veterinary medicine Vienna, Austria
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2007 | "A bulimic Bonobo? Observation of an eating disorder of a Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at Frankfurt Zoo" Behringer, V; Selzer, D. Doctorate programme of German Zoological Society (DZG)-Professional group Behavior Biology, Göttingen, German Primate Center and University Göttingen, 17.02.-18.02.2007 |
2006 | "Influence of an environmental enrichment feeding devices on the behaviour of Great Apes at Frankfurt Zoo" Behringer, V; Mühl, T; Zöllmann, M; Brandt, H; Clauß, W; Selzer, D. 99. German Zoological Society (DZG) Conference, Münster, 16.09.- 20.09.2006 |