Hemotological and morphometric measurements from geladas

This dataset includes hematological and morphometric measurements collected from geladas (Theropithecus gelada). Samples and data collected for this study were obtained from wild geladas in the Simien Mountains National Park (~3,000–4,550 meters above sea level) as part of continuous long-term research conducted by the Simien Mountains Gelada Research Project (SMGRP). Beginning in 2017, the SMGRP has carried out annual capture-and-release campaigns during which animals were temporarily immobilized through remote-distance injection. Briefly, a mixture of ketamine (7.5 mg/kg) and medetomidine (0.04 mg/kg) was injected using darts delivered by a blowpipe (Telinject USA, Inc). Following data and sample collection under the supervision of licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians, immobilization was reversed with atipamezole (0.2 mg/kg). Animals were monitored by project staff throughout their recovery until they were visibly unimpaired and had returned to their social units. All research was conducted with permission of the Ethiopian Wildlife and Conservation Authority (EWCA) following all laws and guidelines in Ethiopia. Animal procedures were conducted with approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) of the University of Washington (protocol 4416-01) and Arizona State University (20-1754R). This research conformed to the American Society of Primatologists/International Primatological Society Code of Best Practices for Field Primatology. While animals were sedated, we collected morphometric measurements including body mass, chest circumference, and waist circumference. Body mass was measured by a hanging digital scale to 0.05 kg precision. Chest circumference and waist circumference were measured using flexible tape to 0.1 cm precision. Chest circumference was defined as the maximum circumference of the trunk, taken at the maximum anterior projection of the thoracic cage. Waist circumference was defined as the minimum circumference between the pelvis and the thoracic cage. Whole blood was obtained from all chemically immobilized individuals by femoral venipuncture and collected into K3 EDTA S-Monovette collection tubes (Sarstedt). We measured hemoglobin concentrations using an AimStrip 78200 digital hemoglobin meter. We loaded 10 µl of venous blood into provided test strips and recorded hemoglobin concentrations (g/dl) using the digital meter. Hematocrit estimates (percentages) were derived from hemoglobin concentrations using the equation: Hct = 2.94 * Hgb [g/dl].