Field methodology for lateral cranial radiography of nonhuman primates

The historical lack of field-based radiographic studies of nonhuman primate s within the field of anthropology is likely due to the perceived difficult y of transporting and operating X-ray equipment. Here we present a method f or taking lateral cranial radiographs of nonhuman primates in the field tha t is simple to employ, and that produces exposed films suitable for collect ion of measurement data useful for growth and development studies, as well as for investigating bone and soft-tissue pathology. Several different X-ra y units, film types, and portable power sources were used, all producing su itable images of similar quality, indicating that this methodology is likel y not overly sensitive to these important parameters. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.