Staff profile

I have worked on a broad range of areas in evolutionary anthropology, including comparative studies of life histories, spinal cord, brain size and gut size, and the evolution of human speech and breathing control. In recent years, my main focus has been on ecological physiology and I have directed a non-invasive hormone lab for 15 years, which I have recently moved to Durham. I have collaborated with many behavioural ecologists working on primates and other mammals to investigate together questions of reproductive, stress and energetic ecology combining physiological and behavioural measures. My postgraduate students have conducted field projects in Nigeria, Morocco, Puerto Rico, Brazil, South Africa and Madagascar, as well as working with captive and semi-free-ranging primates in Europe. 

I am interested in supervising students on areas of ecological physiology in particular, including non-invasive measurement of hormone measures.

• Ecological physiology
• Behavioural endocrinology
• Adaptation and stress
• Sociality and stress
• Evolution of human speech breathing control

Chapter in book

• Ross, C., Warren, Y., Maclarnon, A. M., & Higham, J. P. (2011). How Different Are Gashaka's Baboons? Forest and Open Country Populations Compared. In V. Sommer, & C. Ross (Eds.), Primates of Gashaka: Socioecology and Conservation in Nigeria’s Biodiversity Hotspot (385-411). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7403-7_9
• Warren, Y., Higham, J. P., Maclarnon, A. M., & Ross, C. (2011). Crop-raiding and Commensalism in Olive Baboons: The Costs and Benefits of Living with Humans. In V. Sommer, & C. Ross (Eds.), Primates of Gashaka: Socioecology and Conservation in Nigeria’s Biodiversity Hotspot (359-384). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7403-7_8

Conference Paper

• Ross, C., & Maclarnon, A. (1995, December). Ecological and social correlates of maternal expenditure on infant growth in haplorhine primates. Presented at MOTHERHOOD IN HUMAN AND NONHUMAN PRIMATES: BIOSOCIAL DETERMINANTS A H Schultz Stift, Zurich; Dr Keinz Karger Gedachtnisstif, Basel; Schweizer Nationalfonds Forder Wissensch Forsch, Bern, Switzerland, POSTFACH, CH-4009 BASEL, SWITZERLAND
• Martin, R., & Maclarnon, A. (1990, December). REPRODUCTIVE PATTERNS IN PRIMATES AND OTHER MAMMALS - THE DICHOTOMY BETWEEN ALTRICIAL AND PRECOCIAL OFFSPRING. Presented at PRIMATE LIFE HISTORY AND EVOLUTION WENNER GREN FDN ANTHR RES, NEW YORK

Journal Article

• Hindle, C., McEwan, C., Boliver, V., Maclarnon, A., Simpson, B., & Brown, H. (2021). Experiences of first-generation scholars at a highly selective UK university. Learning and Teaching, 14(2), 1-31. https://doi.org/10.3167/latiss.2021.140202
• Carne, C., Semple, S., MacLarnon, A., Majolo, B., & Marechal, L. (2017). Implications of Tourist-Macaque Interactions for Disease Transmission. EcoHealth, 14(4), 704-717. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-017-1284-3
• Kemp, C., Thatcher, H., Farningham, D., Witham, C., MacLarnon, A., Holmes, A., Semple, S., & Bethell, E. J. (2017). A protocol for training group-housed rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) to cooperate with husbandry and research procedures using positive reinforcement. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 197, 90-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2017.08.006
• Rincon, A. V., Marechal, L., Semple, S., Majolo, B., & MacLarnon, A. (2017). Correlates of androgens in wild male Barbary macaques: Testing the challenge hypothesis. American Journal of Primatology, 79(10), Article e22689. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22689
• Barnett, A., Ronchi-Teles, B., Silva, W., Andrade, R., Almeida, T., Bezerra, B., Goncalves de Lima, M., Spironello, W., MacLarnon, A., Ross, C., & Shaw, P. (2017). Covert carnivory? A seed-predating primate, the golden-backed uacari, shows preferences for insect-infested fruits
• Marechal, L., MacLarnon, A., Majolo, B., & Semple, S. (2016). Primates' behavioural responses to tourists: evidence for a tradeoff between potential risks and benefits. Scientific Reports, 6, Article 32465. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep32465
• Marechal, L., Semple, S., Majolo, B., & MacLarnon, A. (2016). Assessing the Effects of Tourist Provisioning on the Health of Wild Barbary Macaques in Morocco. PLoS ONE, 11(5), Article e0155920. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0155920
• Barnett, A. A., Bezerra, B. M., Santos, P. J., Spironello, W. R., Shaw, P. J., MacLarnon, A., & Ross, C. (2016). Foraging with finesse: A hard-fruit-eating primate selects the weakest areas as bite sites. American journal of physical anthropology, 160(1), 113-125. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22935
• Cristobal-Azkarate, J., Marechal, L., Semple, S., Majolo, B., & MacLarnon, A. (2016). Metabolic strategies in wild male Barbary macaques: evidence from faecal measurement of thyroid hormone. Biology Letters, 12(4), Article 20160168. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0168
• van Heteren, A. H., MacLarnon, A., Soligo, C., & Rae, T. C. (2016). Functional morphology of the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) mandible: a 3D geometric morphometric analysis. Organisms Diversity & Evolution, 16(1), 299-314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13127-015-0238-2
• Bethell, E. J., Holmes, A., MacLarnon, A., & Semple, S. (2016). Emotion Evaluation and Response Slowing in a Non-Human Primate: New Directions for Cognitive Bias Measures of Animal Emotion?. Behavioral Sciences, 6(1), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs6010002
• MacLarnon, A., Sommer, V., Goffe, A., Higham, J., Lodge, E., Tkaczynski, P., & Ross, C. (2015). Assessing adaptability and reactive scope: Introducing a new measure and illustrating its use through a case study of environmental stress in forest-living baboons. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 215, 10-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.09.022
• Barnett, A. A., Almeida, T., Andrade, R., Boyle, S., de Lima, M. G., Maclarnon, A., Ross, C., Silva, W. S., Spironello, W. R., & Ronchi-Teles, B. (2015). Ants in their plants: Pseudomyrmex ants reduce primate, parrot and squirrel predation on Macrolobium acaciifolium (Fabaceae) seeds in Amazonian Brazil. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 114(2), 260-273. https://doi.org/10.1111/bij.12425
• Marechal, L., Semple, S., Majolo, B., & MacLarnon, A. (2015). Environmental Factors Affecting Energetic Status in Wild Barbary Macaques. Folia Primatologica, 86(4), 313-314
• Barnett, A., Shaw, P., MacLarnon, A., Spironello, W., & Ross, C. (2015). Concealed Insectivory: Seed-Dwellers and Stem-Borers in the Diet of a Specialist Seed Predator, the Golden-Backed Uacari, Cacajao ouakary. Folia Primatologica, 86(4),
• Bethell, E., Kemp, C., Holmes, A., MacLarnon, A., & Semple, S. (2015). Quantitative Approaches to the Study of Emotions in Non-Human Primates: Lessons from Human Cognitive Neuroscience. Folia Primatologica, 86(4),
• Tkaczynski, P., MacLarnon, A., & Ross, C. (2014). Associations between spatial position, stress and anxiety in forest baboons Papio anubis. Behavioural Processes, 108, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2014.08.006
• Brent, L. J., Semple, S., Maclarnon, A., Ruiz-Lambides, A., Gonzalez-Martinez, J., & Platt, M. L. (2014). Causes and reproductive consequences of social network position and personality in free-ranging rhesus macaques. American journal of physical anthropology, 153(58, SI),
• Brent, L. J., Semple, S., MacLarnon, A., Ruiz-Lambides, A., Gonzalez-Martinez, J., & Platt, M. L. (2014). Personality Traits in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) Are Heritable but Do Not Predict Reproductive Output. International Journal of Primatology, 35(1), 188-209. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-013-9724-6
• van Heteren, A. H., MacLarnon, A., Soligo, C., & Rae, T. C. (2014). Functional morphology of the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) cranium: a three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis. Quaternary International, 339, 209-216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2013.10.056
• Barnett, A., Ronchi-Teles, B., Almeida, T., Deveny, A., Schiel-Baracuhy, V., Souza-Silva, W., Spironello, W., Ross, C., & MacLarnon, A. (2013). Arthropod Predation by a Specialist Seed Predator, the Golden-backed Uacari (Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary, Pitheciidae) in Brazilian Amazonia. International Journal of Primatology, 34(3), 470-485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-013-9673-0
• Brent, L. J., MacLarnon, A., Platt, M. L., & Semple, S. (2013). Seasonal changes in the structure of rhesus macaque social networks. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 67(3), 349-359. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-012-1455-8
• Lodge, E., Ross, C., Ortmann, S., & MacLarnon, A. (2013). Influence of diet and stress on reproductive hormones in Nigerian olive baboons. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 191, 146-154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.06.016
• McFarland, R., MacLarnon, A., Heistermann, M., & Semple, S. (2013). Physiological stress hormone levels and mating behaviour are negatively correlated in male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Animal Biology, 63(3), 331-341. https://doi.org/10.1163/15707563-00002416
• Barnett, A. A., Boyle, S. A., Norconk, M. M., Palminteri, S., Santos, R. R., Veiga, L. M., Alvim, T. H., Bowler, M., Chism, J., Di Fiore, A., Fernandez-Duque, E., Guimaraes, A. C., Harrison-Levine, A., Haugaasen, T., Lehman, S., Mackinnon, K. C., De Melo, F. R., Moreira, L. S., Moura, V. S., Phillips, C. R., …Ferrari, S. F. (2012). Terrestrial Activity in Pitheciins (Cacajao, Chiropotes, and Pithecia). American Journal of Primatology, 74(12), 1106-1127. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22068
• Barnett, A. A., Boyle, S. A., Pinto, L. P., Lourenco, W. C., Almeida, T., Silva, W. S., Ronchi-Teles, B., Bezerra, B. M., Ross, C., MacLarnon, A., & Spironello, W. R. (2012). Primary seed dispersal by three Neotropical seed-predating primates (Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary, Chiropotes chiropotes and Chiropotes albinasus). Journal of Tropical Ecology, 28(6), 543-555. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0266467412000600
• Gustison, M. L., Maclarnon, A., Wiper, S., & Semple, S. (2012). An experimental study of behavioural coping strategies in free-ranging female Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). Stress: The International Journal on the Biology of Stress, 15(6), 608-617. https://doi.org/10.3109/10253890.2012.668589
• Barnett, A. A., Shaw, P., Spironello, W. R., MacLarnon, A., & Ross, C. (2012). Sleeping site selection by golden-backed uacaris, Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary (Pitheciidae), in Amazonian flooded forests. Primates, 53(3), 273-285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-012-0296-4
• Bethell, E., Holmes, A., MacLarnon, A., & Semple, S. (2012). Cognitive bias in a non-human primate: husbandry procedures influence cognitive indicators of psychological well-being in captive rhesus macaques. Animal Welfare Journal, 21(2), 185-195. https://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.21.2.185
• Kaburu, S. S., MacLarnon, A., Majolo, B., Qarro, M., & Semple, S. (2012). Dominance rank and self-scratching among wild female Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). African Zoology, 47(1), 74-79. https://doi.org/10.3377/004.047.0111
• Bethell, E. J., Holmes, A., MacLarnon, A., & Semple, S. (2012). Evidence That Emotion Mediates Social Attention in Rhesus Macaques. PLoS ONE, 7(8), Article e44387. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0044387
• Buck, L. T., Stringer, C. B., Maclarnon, A. M., & Rae, T. C. (2012). Paranasal sinus shape in Pleistocene hominins. American journal of physical anthropology, 147(54),
• Barnett, A. A., Almeida, T., Spironello, W. R., Silva, W. S., MacLarnon, A., & Ross, C. (2012). Terrestrial Foraging by Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary (Primates) in Amazonian Brazil: Is Choice of Seed Patch Size and Position Related to Predation Risk?. Folia Primatologica, 83(2), 126-139. https://doi.org/10.1159/000343591
• Ellis, J. J., MacLarnon, A. M., Heistermann, M., & Semple, S. (2011). The social correlates of self-directed behaviour and faecal glucocorticoid levels among adult male olive baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis) in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Nigeria. African Zoology, 46(2), 302-308. https://doi.org/10.3377/004.046.0209
• Gustison, M., MacLarnon, A., & Semple, S. (2011). AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF BEHAVIORAL COPING STRATEGIES IN FREE-RANGING FEMALE BARBARY MACAQUES (MACACA SYLVANUS). American Journal of Primatology, 73(1),
• Marechal, L., Semple, S., Majolo, B., Qarro, M., Heistermann, M., & MacLarnon, A. (2011). Impacts of tourism on anxiety and physiological stress levels in wild male Barbary macaques. Biological Conservation, 144(9), 2188-2193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2011.05.010
• Barnett, A., Ross, C., & MacLarnon, A. (2011). GOLDEN-BACKED UACARI FORAGING ECOLOGY DYNAMICS: A CRITICAL TEST OF THE SEASONAL RESOURCE CONSTRAINT MODEL. American Journal of Primatology, 73(1),
• Brent, L., Semple, S., Dubuc, C., Heistermann, M., & MacLarnon, A. (2011). Social capital and physiological stress levels in free-ranging adult female rhesus macaques. Physiology & Behavior, 102(1), 76-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.09.022
• Brent, L., Semple, S., Dubuc, C., Heistermann, M., & MacLarnon, A. (2010). SOCIAL CAPITAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS LEVELS IN ADULT FEMALE RHESUS MACAQUES (MACACA MULATTA). American Journal of Primatology, 72(1),
• Dubuc, C., Brent, L. J., Accamando, A. K., Gerald, M. S., MacLarnon, A., Semple, S., Heistermann, M., & Engelhardt, A. (2009). Sexual Skin Color Contains Information About the Timing of the Fertile Phase in Free-ranging Macaca mulatta. International Journal of Primatology, 30(6), 777-789. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-009-9369-7
• Higham, J., Nodza, G., Buba, U., Heistermann, M., Ross, C., & MacLarnon, A. (2009). USING FEEDING TRACES TO DETERMINE FOOD PRIORITY OF AYE-AYE (DAUBENTONIA MADAGASCARIENSIS) IN RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK, MADAGASCAR. American Journal of Primatology, 71,
• Higham, J. P., Warren, Y., Adanu, J., Umaru, B. N., MacLarnon, A. M., Sommer, V., & Ross, C. (2009). Living on the Edge: Life-History of Olive Baboons at Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Nigeria. American Journal of Primatology, 71(4), 293-304. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20651
• Higham, J. P., MacLarnon, A. M., Heistermann, M., Ross, C., & Semple, S. (2009). Rates of self-directed behaviour and faecal glucocorticoid levels are not correlated in female wild olive baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis). Stress: The International Journal on the Biology of Stress, 12(6), 526-532. https://doi.org/10.3109/10253890902756565
• Higham, J. P., Semple, S., MacLarnon, A., Heistermann, M., & Ross, C. (2009). Female reproductive signaling, and male mating behavior, in the olive baboon. Hormones and Behavior, 55(1), 60-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2008.08.007
• Higham, J. P., Heistermann, M., Ross, C., Semple, S., & MacLarnon, A. (2008). The timing of ovulation with respect to sexual swelling detumescence in wild olive baboons. Primates, 49(4), 295-299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-008-0099-9
• Higham, J. P., MacLarnon, A. M., Ross, C., Heistermann, M., & Semple, S. (2008). Baboon sexual swellings: Information content of size and color. Hormones and Behavior, 53(3), 452-462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2007.11.019
• MacLarnon, A., Semple, S., Shutt, K., Heistermann, M., & Higham, J. (2008). Sociality and stress in Macaques and baboons. Folia Primatologica, 79(5),
• Higham, J. P., Ross, C., Warren, Y., Heistermann, M., & MacLarnon, A. (2008). Reduced reproductive function in wild baboons related to natural consumption of plant compounds. Folia Primatologica, 79(5), 338-339
• Higham, J. P., Ross, C., Warren, Y., Heistermann, M., & MacLarnon, A. M. (2007). Reduced reproductive function in wild baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis) related to natural consumption of the African black plum (Vitex doniana). Hormones and Behavior, 52(3), 384-390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2007.06.003
• Shutt, K., MacLarnon, A., Heistermann, M., & Semple, S. (2007). Grooming in Barbary macaques: better to give than to receive?. Biology Letters, 3(3), 231-233. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2007.0052
• Martin, R. D., Maclarnon, A. M., Phillips, J. L., & Dobyns, W. B. (2006). Flores hominid: New species or microcephalic dwarf?. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.a.20389
• Martin, R., MacLarnon, A., Phillips, J., Dussubieux, L., Williams, P., & Dobyns, W. (2006). Comment on ``The brain of LB1, Homo floresiensis''. Science, 312(5776), https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1121144
• Jones, K., & MacLarnon, A. (2004). Affording larger brains: Testing hypotheses of mammalian brain evolution on bats. https://doi.org/10.1086/421334
• MacLarnon, A., & Ross, C. (2004). Diets, brains and guts: Correlations and their evolutionary significance. Folia Primatologica, 75(1),
• Maclarnon, A., & Hewitt, G. (2004). Increased breathing control: Another factor in the evolution of human language. Evolutionary Anthropology, 13(5), 181-197. https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.20032
• Jones, K., Purvis, A., MacLarnon, A., Bininda-Emonds, O., & Simmons, N. (2002). A phylogenetic supertree of the bats (Mammalia : Chiroptera). Biological Reviews, 77(2), 223-259. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1464793101005899
• Hewitt, G., MacLarnon, A., & Jones, K. (2002). The functions of laryngeal air sacs in primates: A new hypothesis. Folia Primatologica, 73(2-3), 70-94. https://doi.org/10.1159/000064786
• Jones, K., & MacLarnon, A. (2001). Bat life histories: Testing models of mammalian life-history evolution. Evolutionary Ecology Research, 3(4), 465-476
• MacLarnon, A., & Ross, C. (2000). Evolution of non-maternal care in primates - Preface and acknowledgements. Folia Primatologica, 71(1-2), https://doi.org/10.1159/000021725
• Ross, C., & MacLarnon, A. (2000). The evolution of non-maternal care in anthropoid primates: A test of the hypotheses. Folia Primatologica, 71(1-2), 93-113. https://doi.org/10.1159/000021733
• MacLarnon, A., & Hewitt, G. (1999). The evolution of human speech: The role of enhanced breathing control. American journal of physical anthropology, 109(3), 341-363. https://doi.org/10.1002/%28sici%291096-8644%28199907%29109%3A3%3C341%3A%3Aaid-ajpa5%3E3.0.co%3B2-2
• MacLarnon, A. (1996). The evolution of the spinal cord in primates: Evidence from the foramen magnum and the vertebral canal. Journal of Human Evolution, 30(2), 121-138. https://doi.org/10.1006/jhev.1996.0009
• MacLarnon, A. (1996). The scaling of gross dimensions of the spinal cord in primates and other species. Journal of Human Evolution, 30(1), 71-87. https://doi.org/10.1006/jhev.1996.0005
• Maclarnon, A. (1995). THE DISTRIBUTION OF SPINAL-CORD TISSUES AND LOCOMOTOR ADAPTATION IN PRIMATES. Journal of Human Evolution, 29(5), 463-482. https://doi.org/10.1006/jhev.1995.1069
• Maclarnon, A. (1993). THE MOUSTERIAN NEANDERTHAL SKELETON KEBARA 2. Journal of Human Evolution, 25(6), 527-529
• Maclarnon, A. (1993). A THEORY OF HUMAN AND PRIMATE EVOLUTION - GROVES,CP. https://doi.org/10.2307/2803425
• Maclarnon, A. (1992). KOOBI FORA RESEARCH-PROJECT, VOL 4, HOMINID CRANIAL REMAINS - WOOD,B. Current Anthropology, 33(5), 617-619
• Maclarnon, A. (1989). APPLICATIONS OF THE REFLEX INSTRUMENTS IN QUANTITATIVE MORPHOLOGY. Folia Primatologica, 53(1-4), 33-49. https://doi.org/10.1159/000156407
• Stark, R., Roper, T., Maclarnon, A., & Chivers, D. (1987). GASTROINTESTINAL ANATOMY OF THE EUROPEAN BADGER MELES-MELES L - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY
• Martin, R., & Maclarnon, A. (1986). MATERNAL INVESTMENT IN MAMMALS - REPLY. Nature, 321(6069), https://doi.org/10.1038/321538a0
• Martin, R., & Maclarnon, A. (1985). GESTATION PERIOD, NEONATAL SIZE AND MATERNAL INVESTMENT IN PLACENTAL MAMMALS. Nature, 313(5999), 220-223. https://doi.org/10.1038/313220a0
• Maclarnon, A., Martin, R., Chivers, D., & Hladik, C. (1984). SOME ASPECTS OF GASTROINTESTINAL ALLOMETRY IN PRIMATES AND OTHER MAMMALS. International Journal of Primatology, 5(4),
• Mascietaylor, C., Maclarnon, A., & Lanigan, P. (1983). PERSONALITY AND IQ SCORE VARIATION IN A CAMBRIDGE UNDERGRADUATE SAMPLE. Journal of Biosocial Science, 15(4), 501-508
• Mascietaylor, C., Mcmanus, I., Maclarnon, A., & Lanigan, P. (1983). THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PHENYLTHIOCARBAMIDE (PTC) TASTING ABILITY AND PSYCHOMETRIC VARIABLES. Behavior Genetics, 13(2), 191-196. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01065667
• Mascietaylor, C., Maclarnon, A., Lanigan, P., & Mcmanus, I. (1981). FOOT-LENGTH ASYMMETRY, SEX, AND HANDEDNESS. Science, 212(4501), 1416-1417