My research interests are focused on two main areas: the evolution of hemispheric specialization in primates and the sensory ecology of primate food selection. Much of this work is conducted with brown capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) socially housed at The Laboratory of Neurobehavioral Investigations at Hiram College. I also participate in field research with wild primates in South America, and in collaborations with other laboratories to study other species of nonhuman primates.
Students interested in working in my research laboratory should read the following documents:
Phillips, K.A., Sherwood, C.C., & Lilak, A.L. (in press). Corpus callosum morphology in capuchin monkeys is influenced by sex and handedness. PLoS ONE.
Pannozzo, P.L., Phillips, K.A., Haas, M.E., & Mintz, E.M. (2007). Social monitoring reflects dominance relationships in a small captive group of brown capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). Ethology, 113, 881-888.
Phillips, K.A. & Sherwood, C.C. (2007). Cerebral petalias and their relationship to handedness in capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). Neuropsychologia, 45, 2398-2401. pdf
Phillips, K.A. & Hopkins, W.D. (2007). Exploring the relationship between cerebellar asymmetry and handedness in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and capuchins (Cebus apella). Neuropsychologia, 45, 2333-2339. pdf
Ulyan, M.J., Burrows, A.E., Buzzell, C.A., Raghanti, M.A., Marcinkiewicz, J.L., & Phillips, K.A. (2006). The effects of predictable and unpredictable feeding schedules on the behavior and physiology of captive brown capuchins (Cebus apella). Applied Animal Behavior Science. pdf
Phillips, K.A. & Sherwood, C.C. (2005). Primary motor cortex asymmetry is correlated with handedness in capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). Behavioral Neuroscience 119: 1701-1704. pdf
Phillips, K.A. & Shauver Goodchild, L.M. (2005). Reunion displays in captive male brown capuchins (Cebus apella). Primates, 46, 121-125. pdf
Phillips, K.A., Haas, M.E., Grafton, B.W, & Yrivarren, M. (2004). Survey of the gastro-intestinal parasites of the primate community at Tambopata National Reserve, Peru. Journal of Zoology, London, 264, 1-3. pdf
Phillips, K.A., Shauver Goodchild, L.M., Haas, M.E., Ulyan, M. & Petro, S. (2004). Use of visual, acoustic and olfactory information during embedded invertebrate foraging in brown capuchins (Cebus apella). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 118 (2): 200-205. pdf
Phillips, K.A., Shauver Goodchild, L.M., Reinking, L.N. & Zegers, D.A. (2005). Neurotransmitters and aggressive behavior in crayfish. In E. Jakob & M. Hodge (eds.), Learning the skills of research: Animal behavior exercises in the laboratory and field. Instructor's Resource CD-ROM to accompany J. Alcock Animal Behavior (8th ed.), Sinauer.
Phillips, K.A. & Abercrombie, C.L. (2004). Conservation. In D.G. Kleiman, V. Geist, M. Hutchins, & M.C. McDade (eds.), Mammals I, Vol. 12 of Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia, pp. 213-225. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale Group.
Phillips, K.A., Grafton, B.W., & Haas, M.E. (2003). Tap-scanning for invertebrates by capuchins (Cebus apella). Folia Primatologica 74: 162-164.
Phillips, K.A. & Abercrombie, C.L. (2003). Distribution and conservation status of the primates of Trinidad. Primate Conservation 19: 19-22.
Phillips, K.A. (1998). Tool use in wild capuchin monkeys (Cebus albifrons trinitatis). American Journal of Primatology 46: 259-261. pdf
Phillips, K.A., Elvey, C.R., & Abercrombie, C.L. (1998). Applying GPS to the study of primate ecology: A useful tool? American Journal of Primatology 46: 167-172. pdf
Phillips, K.A. (1996). Natural conceptual behavior in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus): An experimental investigation. Primates 37(3): 325-330.
Dettmer, E.L., Phillips, K.A., Rager, D.R., Bernstein, I.S., & Fragaszy, D.M. (1996). Behavioral and cortisol responses to repeated capture and venipuncture in Cebus apella. American Journal of Primatology 38: 357-362.
Phillips, K.A. (1995). Foraging-related agonism in capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus). Folia Primatologica 65: 159-162.
Phillips, K.A. (1995). Resource patch size and flexible foraging in white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus). International Journal of Primatology 16: 509-519.
Phillips, K. (1995). Differing responses to a predator (Eira barbara) by Alouatta and Cebus. Neotropical Primates 3(2): 45-46.
Phillips, K. (1995). Resource distribution and sociality in white-faced capuchins, Cebus capucinus. Neotropical Primates 3(2): 51.
Phillips, K.A., Bernstein, I.S., Dettmer, E.L., Devermann, H., & Powers, M. (1994). Sexual behavior in brown capuchins (Cebus apella). International Journal of Primatology 15: 907-917.
Phillips, K.A. (1993). Mating patterns and sexual competition in brown capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella): Implications for captive housing. AAZPA 1993 Regional Conference Proceedings: 742-747.
Bernstein, I.S., Estep, D.Q., Bruce, K.E., & Phillips, K.A. (1992). Effects of periodic removal and reintroduction on the social and sexual behavior of stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides). Folia Primatologica 59: 213-216.