Dr. Rafaela Takeshita

Research Areas of Expertise

• Behavioral endocrinology
• Primate evolution
• Primate ecology and reproductive physiology
• Neuroendocrinology of stress

Dr. Takeshita serves as graduate faculty for the Department of Anthropology and School of Biomedical Sciences. She obtained her doctoral degree in Biological Sciences at the Primate Research Institute at Kyoto University. Dr. Takeshita’s research focuses on understanding how physiological mechanisms have changed in primate evolution, primarily by exploring hormones as mediators of behavior and life history traits. Other projects incorporate the impact of environment on primate stress, reproductive monitoring, and neuroendocrinology of primate development. Dr. Takeshita has collaborations with the Brazilian National Primate Center and Kyoto University on projects involving reproduction, health, and conservation of several nonhuman primates.

Publications

Hart EN, Palme R, Greenblatt N, Takeshita RSC. Stress response to death of a group member in Northern white-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys). Primates (accepted).

Hart EN, Silva GP, Takeshita RSC. Dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate: biomarkers of pregnancy and fetal health (2023). Theriogenology Wild 3:100056 (doi: 10.1016/j.therwi.2023.100056)

Hart EN & Takeshita RSC.The influence of social dominance and reproductive state on fecal dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) (2023). International Journal of Primatology (doi: 10.1007/s10764-023-00368-5)

Silva GP, Pereira THS, Melo JT, Imbeloni AA, Andrade RS, Monteiro MVB, Monteiro FOB, Takeshita RSC (2023). Hematological and serum biochemistry evaluation in howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) and capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella): a comparative study. Journal of Medical Primatology (Online first) (doi: 10.1111/jmp.12644).

Costa R, Takeshita RSC, Tomonaga M, Huffman MA, Kalema-Zikusoka G, Bercovitch F, Hayashi M (2023). The impact of ecotourism on the behaviour of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Journal of Ecotourism (Online first) (doi: 10.1080/14724049.2023.2176507)

Takeshita RSC, Edler MK, Meindl RS, Sherwood CC, Hopkins WD, Raghanti MA. Age, adrenal steroids, and cognitive functioning in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) (2022). PeerJ 10: e14323 (doi: 10.7717/peerj.14323)

Silva GP, Monteiro FOB, Imbeloni A, Takeshita RSC (2022). The effect of age and sex in kidney morphology and renal function in Alouatta caraya and Sapajus apella. Journal of Medical Primatology: Online first (doi: 10.1111/jmp.12599)

Takeshita RSC. Validation of an enzyme immunoassay for determination of fecal dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate in gibbons and siamangs (2022). Zoo Biology (doi: doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21687)

Takeshita RSC, Silva GP, Monteiro, MVB, Monteiro FOB (2021). Occurrence and clinical significance of abnormal liver findings by ultrasound in captive owl monkeys. Journal of Medical Primatology, Online first (doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jmp.12559)

Silva GP, Melo JT, Ferreira AKP, Monteiro FOB, Takeshita RSC (2021). Validation of a Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate Assay in Three Platyrrhine Primates (Alouatta caraya, Aotus azarae infulatus, and Sapajus apella). International Journal of Primatology 42: 722-736

Takeshita RSC, Huffman MA, Kinoshita K, Bercovitch FB (2020). Changes in social behaviour and faecal glucocorticoids in her Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) carrying a dead infant. Primates 61:35-40 

Broche N, Takeshita RSC, Mouri K, Bercovitch FB, Huffman MA (2019). Salivary alpha-amylase enzyme is a non-invasive biomarker of acute stress in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). Primates 60(6): 547-558 

Takeshita RSC, Mendonça R, Bercovitch FB, Huffman MA (2019).  Developmental changes in the endocrine stress response in orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus). Journal of Comparative Physiology B 189(6): 659-672 

Takeshita RSC (2019). Review article: サルのストレス解消法としての入浴 (Stress-relieving effect of hot spring bathing in macaques). Brain and Nerve 71(5): 517-524.

Takeshita RSC, Bercovitch FB, Kinoshita K, Huffman MA (2018). Beneficial effect of hot spring bathing on stress levels in Japanese macaques. Primates 59(3): 215-225. 

Takeshita RSC, Bercovitch FB, Huffman MA, Kinoshita K. Development and validation of an enzyme immunoassay for fecal dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (fDHEAS) in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) (2018). International Journal of Primatology 39(2): 208-221 

Takeshita RSC, Huffman MA, Kinoshita K, Bercovitch FB (2017). Effect of castration on social behavior and hormones in male Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). Physiology & Behavior 181:43-50 

Takeshita RSC, Huffman MA, Mouri K, Shimizu K, Bercovitch FB (2016). Dead or alive? Predicting fetal loss in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) by fecal metabolites. Animal Reproduction Science 175: 33-38

Garcia C, Bercovitch F, Furuichi T, Huffman MA, MacInstosh A, Rigaill L, Takeshita RSC, Shimizu K (2016). Ten years of collaboration between France and Japan - Studies on reproduction in Japanese macaques. Revue de primatologie 7

Mendonça RS, Takeshita RSC, Kanamori T, Kuze N, Hayashi M, Kinoshita K, Bernard H, Matsuzawa T (2016). Behavioral and physiological changes in a juvenile Bornean orangutan after a wildlife rescue. Global Ecology and Conservation 8: 116–122

Mayor P, Takeshita RSC, Coutinho LN, Sánchez N, Gálvez H, Ique C and Monteiro FOB (2015). Ovarian function in captive owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae and A. vociferans). Journal of Medical Primatology 44(4):187-93

Mayor P, Takeshita RSC, Coutinho LN, Sánchez N, Gálvez H, Ique C, Ruiz JC and Monteiro FOB (2015). Functional morphology of the tubular genital organs in the female owl monkey (Aotus spp.). Journal of Medical Primatology 44(3):158-67

Takeshita RSC, Bercovitch FB, Huffman MA, Mouri K, Garcia C, Rigaill L, Shimizu K (2014). Environmental, biological, and social factors influencing fecal adrenal steroid concentrations in female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). American Journal of Primatology 76 (11):1084-1093

Takeshita RSC, Huffman MA, Bercovitch FB, Mouri K, Shimizu K (2013). The influence of age and season on fecal dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). General and Comparative Endocrinology 191: 39-43

Silva GA, Monteiro FOB, Dias HLT, Cavalcante RO, Sampaio AIF, Conceição MEBAM, Takeshita RSC, Castro PHG, Feijó FMC, Rahal SC (2013). Qualitative analysis of preputial and vaginal bacterial microbiota in owl monkeys (Aotus azarai infulatus) raised in captivity. Journal of Medical Primatology 42: 71 – 78

Lins FLML, Monteiro FOB, Takeshita RSC, Silva GA, Faturi C, Palha MDC, Monteiro MVB, Coutinho LN, Kugelmeier T, Castro PHG (2012). Renal Evaluation of Aotus azarai infulatus by Ultrasonography and Serum Chemistry Profile. American Journal of Primatology 74: 482 – 490

Monteiro FOB, Coutinho LN, Takeshita RSC, Silva GA, Silva KSM, Whiteman CW, Castro, PHG, Muniz JAPC, Vicente WRR (2011). A protocol for gynecological and obstetric examination of owl monkeys using ultrasound. Revista de Ciências Agrárias (Belém) 54: 7 – 13

Coutinho LN, Monteiro FOB, Takeshita RSC, Lins FLML, Silva GA, Faturi C, Castro PHG, Muniz JAPC, Kugelmeier T, Whiteman CW, Vicente WRR (2011). Effect of age and number of parturitions on uterine and ovarian variables in owl monkeys. Journal of Medical Primatology 40: 310 – 316

Takeshita RSC, Monteiro FOB, Lins FLML, Silva GA, Faturi C, Coutinho LN, Monteiro MVB, Kugelmeier T, Castro PHG, Muniz JAPC (2011). Hematological, hepatic, and renal evaluation in Aotus azarai infulatus (2011). Journal of Medical Primatology 40: 104 – 110

Book Chapters

Takeshita RSC, Monteiro FOB, Lins FLML, Andrade RS, Silva GA, Cardoso AMC, Pereira WLA, Rahal SC (2014). Aspectos histológicos dos ovários e testículos de macacos-da-noite (Aotus azarai infulatus - Kuhl, 1820). In: A Primatologia no Brasil. Curitiba: UFPR/SBPr, v.13, p. 303-314.

Takeshita RSC, Monteiro FOB, Lins FLML, Silva GA, Faturi C, Coutinho LN, Monteiro MVB, Kugelmeier T, Castro PHG, Muniz JAPC (2011). Ultrassonografia, hematologia e bioquímica hepática e renal de macacos-da-noite, Aotus azarai infulatus (Kuhl, 1820) criados em cativeiro. In: A Primatologia no Brasil. Curitiba: UFPR/SBPr, v.12, p. 236-249.

Lins FLML, Monteiro FOB, Takeshita RSC, Coutinho LN, Faturi C, Silva GA, Castro PHG, Muniz JAPC (2011). Avaliação renal de macacos-da-noite, Aotus azarai infulatus (Kuhl 1820) por ultrassom. In: A Primatologia no Brasil. Curitiba: UFPR/SBPr, v.12, p. 257-266.