Lydia E. O. Light
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Research Interests

I am interested in exploring ecological explanations for within-species behavioral and dietary variation as well as the evolution of pair-bonds and pair-living social systems. In particular, my research focuses on the ways in which nonhuman primates cope with harsh ecological conditions and sub-optimal habitats. My field site is located in a dry, mosaic forest in western Thailand and I conduct habitat-based comparisons between groups of wild white-handed gibbons living in different forest types (evergreen compared to mostly deciduous dipterocarp) focusing on ranging behavior, diet, energy balance, and social behavior. I utilize remote sensing data and GIS technology and plan to use these techniques in my future projects to examine the relationships between neighboring groups, particularly during the height of the dry season. During this period, gibbons depend heavily on liana food sources. My next projects will investigate the nutritional quality of these key resources and how food availability changes ranging behaviors that could influence the group's ability to successfully defend a territory. Future research will consider ways in which ecological differences may contribute to the prevalence of polyandrous social groups in these primarily pair-living nonhuman primates.

Recent Publications
  • 2021 Light LEO, Savini T, Sparks C, and Bartlett TQ. White-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) alter ranging patterns in response to habitat type. Primates. 62(1):77-90. DOI: 10.1007/s10329-020-00858-7.
  • 2019 Ma C-Y, Brockelman WY, Light LEO, Bartlett TQ, Fan PF. Infant loss during male replacement in gibbons: Variable contexts and uncertain outcomes. American Journal of Primatology. 81(8):e23036. DOI:10.1002/ajp.23036.
  • 2018 Light LEO, Bartlett TQ, Poyas A, Nijland M, Huber HF, Li C, Keenan K, Nathanielsz P. Maternal activity, anxiety, and protectiveness during moderate nutrient restriction in captive baboons (Papio sp). Journal of Medical Primatology. 47(4):247-256. DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12350.
  • 2017 Butaric LN, Light LEO, Juengst SL. A Call for Action: Why Anthropologists Can (and Should) Join the Discussion on Climate Change through Education. American Journal of Human Biology. 29(4):1-6.  DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23002.
  • 2016 Bartlett TQ, Light LEO, Brockelman WY. Long-Term Home Range Stability in Wild White-Handed Gibbons in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. American Journal of Primatology. 78(2):192-203. DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22492.
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My dissertation fieldwork was funded by grants from the Fulbright Foundation, National Science Foundation, American Society of Primatologists, and The University of Texas at San Antonio. I also received a fellowship from the American Association of University Women to assist me during the write-up phase of my doctoral degree.
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My ORCID QR code
All pictures © 2015 Lydia E. O. Light.