DAVIS, Calif. (AP) - An Ohio-based animal rights group has filed a complaint with federal regulators saying monkeys at the University of California, Davis primate lab were underfed and mishandled.

The group, Stop Animal Exploitation Now, said Thursday that it had e-mailed its complaint to the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and called for an official inquiry.

The group reviewed nearly 600 post-mortem exams of monkeys at the California National Primate Research Center and found that at least a third of the adult animals were emaciated, dehydrated or displayed other symptoms of stress and poor care, founder Michael Budkie said.

Dallas Hyde, the primate center director, disputed many of the allegations but said he has asked a special committee to investigate and issue a public report as soon as possible.

The complaint to federal authorities follows a news conference earlier this week by former center employee Cheri Stevens. She said university officials ignored problems that led to the deaths of seven research monkeys in 2004 when a heater malfunctioned.

The incident led to a $4,815 fine by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in December 2005.

Hyde said Stevens’ complaints also would be investigated.