Lori K. Sheeran, PhD

Professor

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Interests & Expertise:

Biological anthropology, human-monkey interactions, Asian primates, macaques, langurs, gibbons

Field Experience:

  • 1990-2017 fieldwork in China focused on black gibbons (Yunnan Province) and Tibetan macaques (Anhui Province)
  • 2018-present fieldwork in Bhutan focused on human-monkey interactions (Central Himalayan langurs and Assamese macaques)
  • 2020-present distribution of Arunachal macaques in Bhutan
  • 2018 CWU Distinguished Professor of Research

Teaching Highlights:

  • Professor, Central Washington University, 2011-present
  • Associate Professor, Central Washington University, 2005-2011
  • Assistant Professor, Central Washington University, 2003-2005
  • Associate Professor of Anthropology, California State University-Fullerton, 1999-2003
  • Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology, University of Southern California, 1999
  • Assistant Professor of Anthropology, California State University-Fullerton, 1993-1999
  • Lecturer in Anthropology, Ohio State University, 1993

Courses Taught at CWU Since 2015:

  • Bones, Apes, and Genes: Exploring Biological Anthropology (ANTH 110)
  • Anthropological Principles and Assessments (ANTH 301)
  • Primate Social Behavior (ANTH 313)
  • Modern Human Variation (ANTH 314)
  • Monkeys of Asia and Africa (ANTH 418/PRIM 518)
  • Lemurs, Lorises, and Tarsiers (ANTH 419/PRIM 519)
  • Primate Conservation (ANTH 411/PRIM 511)
  • Research Methods in Primatology (ANTH 413/PRIM 513)
  • Biodiversity of Bhutan Field School (ANTH 493)
  • China Field School (ANTH 493)
  • Survey of the Primates (PRIM 506)
  • PBE Capstone (PRIM 450/550)

Peer-Reviewed Publications 2010-2024:

Usui R, Sheeran LK, Asbury A, Pedersen L. 2024. Building resilience in primate tourism: Insights from the COVID-19 pandemic and future directions. Primates. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-024-01126-8.

Dorji K, Sheeran LK, Barlow, K, Dorji PN, Dorji T, Dorji W. 2022. Oleps’ traditional beliefs of the clouded leopard as the top predator of Bhutan. Asian Social Science 18(12): 8-17. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v18n12p8

Dorji K, Dorji NP, Sheeran LK, Dhendup T. 2022. Tiger in the buffer of Gangtey-Phobji Ramsar Site and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in Western Bhutan. Cat News 75, 23-24.

Marsh C, Sica Y, Burgin C, Dorman W, Anderson R, del Toro Mijares I, Vigneron J, Amatulli G, Barve V, Dombrowik V, Duong M, Guralnick R, Hart J, Maypole J, McCall K…Sheeran LK… Upham N. 2022. Expert range maps of global mammal distributions harmonised to three taxonomic authorities. Journal of Biogeography 00, 1-14, https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14330

Dorji K, Sheeran LK, Wangchuk J, Katel O. 2022. Small mammal communities of Gangtey-Phobji Ramsar Site (2264), a wetland of international importance, Bhutan. International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies 9(1), 1-8. DOI: 10.22271/23940522.2022.v9.i1a.867

Dorji K, Sheeran LK, Giri R, Barlow K, Dorji NP, Englund T. 2021. Preliminary report on golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) winter sleep sites. Humans 1(2), 29-43, https://doi.org/10.3390/humans1020005

Pang KH; Rowe A; Sheeran LK; Xia DP; Sun L; Li JH. 2021. Sexual interference behaviors in male adult and subadult Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). Animals 11, 663, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030663

Usui, R; Sheeran LK; Asbury A; Blackson M. 2021. The COVID-19 outbreak and animals in leisure environments: a systematic review. Mammal Review, https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12245

Xia DP; Wang X; Garber PA; Sun BH; Sheeran LK; Sun LX; Li JH. 2021. Effects of hierarchical steepness on grooming patterns in female Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 9:631417, https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.631417

Funkhouser E; Mayhew JA; Mulcahy JB; Sheeran LK. 2020. Human caregivers occupy prominent positions in captive chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) social networks. Primates, 1-13, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-020-00867-6

Wang X; Sun LX; Garber PA; Sheeran LK; Sun BH; Kyes RC; Xia DP; Li JH. 2020. Infant attraction: why social bridging matters for female leadership in Tibetan macaques. Current Zoology, 66(6): 635-642, https://doi.org/10.1093/cz/zoaa026

Clifton, G; Sheeran LK; Wagner RS, Funkhouser JA; Li JH. 2020. Preliminary observations of female-female bridging behavior in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China. In: The Behavioral Ecology of the Tibetan Macaque, JH Li, LX Sun, PM Kappeler (eds.). Springer Open, Pp. 173-188, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27920-2_9

Fratellone G; Li JH; Sun LX; Sheeran LK; Wagner RS; Wang X. 2019. Social connectivity facilitates collective decisions making in wild Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). Primates 60: 183–189. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-018-0691-6

Dura E; Sheeran LK; Ruppert N; Arango C; Blue S. 2018. Mother-infant interactions in a wild population of Southern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina). Asian Primates 7(1): 31-42, 2019Jan17_Article_5_Final.pdf (sqspcdn.com)

Rowe A; Sun LX; Sheeran LK; Li JH; Wagner S; Xia DP; Uhey DA; Chen R. 2018. Collective decision making in Tibetan macaques: How followers affect the rules and efficiency of group movement. Animal Behavior 146:51-61, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.10.002

Funkhouser E; Mayhew JA; Sheeran LK; Mulcahy JB; Li JH. 2018. Investigations of context-dependent dominance in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and wild Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). Nature: Scientific Reports, 8:13909, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-32243-2

Sun BH; Gu ZY; Wang X; Huffman MA; Garber PA; Sheeran LK; Zhang D; Zhu Y; Xia DP; Li JH. 2018. Season, age, and sex affect the fecal mycobiota of free-ranging Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). American Journal of Primatology 80:e22880, https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22880

Wright K; Mayhew JA; Sheeran LK; Funkhouser J; Wagner RS; Sun LS; Li JH. 2018. Playing it cool: Social play, play signals, and bout termination by juvenile Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). Zoological Research 39(4):274-283, doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2018.048

Xia DP; Wang X; Zhang QZ; Sun BH; Sun LX; Sheeran LK; Li JH. 2017. Progesterone levels and sexual behavior in free-ranging Macaca thibetana. Mammal Research, 63, 99-106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-017-0342-0

Sun LX; Xia DP; Sun S; Sheeran LK; Li JH. 2017. It pays to wait: Upward social mobility key to long-term sustainability of a primate society. Nature: Scientific Reports 7(7082). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-07067-1

Bernstein S; Sheeran LK; Wagner RS; Li JH; Koda H. 2016. The vocal repertoire of Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana): A quantitative classification and a comparative perspective. American Journal of Primatology 78:937-949, https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22564

Sun BH; Wang X; Bernstein S; Huffman MA; Xia DP; Gu ZY; Chen R; Sheeran LK; Wagner RS; Li JH. 2016. Marked variation between winter and spring gut microbiota in free-ranging Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). Nature: Scientific Reports 6:26035. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep26035

Wang X; Sun LX; Sheeran LK; Sun BH; Zhang QX: Zhang D; Xia DP; Li JH. 2016. Social rank versus affiliation: Which is more related to leadership during group movements in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana)? American Journal of Primatology 78:816-824, https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22546

Bauer B; Sheeran LK; Matheson MD; Li JH; Wagner RS. 2014. Choice of infant bridging and female affiliation partners by male Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). Zoological Research. 35(3):222-230, DOI:10.11813/j.issn.0254-5853.2014.3.222

Pritchard A; Sheeran LK; Gabriel K; Li JH; Wagner RS. 2014. Behaviors that predict personality components in adult free-ranging Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). Current Zoology 60(3):362-372, https://doi.org/10.1093/czoolo/60.3.362

Usui L; Sheeran LK; Li JH; Sun LX; Wang X; Pritchard AP; DuVall-Lash A; Wagner RS. 2014. Park rangers’ behaviors and their effects on tourists and Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China. Animals 4(3):546-561. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani4030546 

Self S; Sheeran LK; Matheson MD; Li JH; Pelton O; Harding S; Wagner RS. 2013. Tourism and infant-directed aggression in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China. Anthrozoös 26(3):435-444, https://doi.org/10.2752/175303713X13697429463790

Cheyne SM; Höing A; Rinear J; Sheeran LK. 2012. Sleeping site selection by agile gibbons: the influence of tree stability, fruit availability, and predation risk. Folia Primatologica 83:299-311, https://doi.org/10.1159/000342145

Simons ND; Lorenz JG; Sheeran LK; Li JH; Xia DP; Wagner RS. 2012. Noninvasive saliva collection for DNA analyses from free-ranging Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). American Journal of Primatology 74:1064-1070, https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22062

Ruesto LA; Sheeran LK; Matheson MD; Li JH; Wagner RS. 2010. Tourist behavior and decibel levels correlate with threat frequency in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China. Primate Conservation 2010 (25): 99-104, https://doi.org/10.1896/052.025.0115

Xia DP; Li JH; Zhu Y; Sun BH; Sheeran LK; Matheson MD. 2010. Seasonal variation and synchronization of sexual behaviors in free-ranging male Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Huangshan, China. Zoological Research 31(5):509-515, DOI：10.3724/SP.J.1141.2010.05509

Editorial Roles:

Editorial board member for Nature Anthropology, an open access peer-reviewed journal, published by Shanghai Society of Anthropology, 2023-present

Review editor for Life History and Conservation section of Frontiers in Mammal Science, an international peer-reviewed open access journal, 2022-present

Editorial board member for Humans, an international peer-reviewed open access journal, published by MDPI, 2021-present

Topic editor for Animals, an international peer-reviewed open access journal, published by MDPI, 2020-present

Associate Editor for Nature: Scientific Reports, Nature Publishing Group, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2015-present

Curriculum Vitae

Contact

Office: Dean Hall 335