Defensive anointing: extended chemical phenotype and unorthodox ecology

Weldon, Paul J.

doi:10.1007/s00049-003-0259-8

Cited by 39 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…It is suggested that anointing serves several different functions, largely related to medicinal strategies against potential vectors of disease [Weldon, 2004] as well as in social communication. The medicinal application of foreign substances as a potential explanation for self-directed anointing in primates is well documented within the literature, ranging from the black lemur's (Eulemur macaco) use of millipedes [Birkinshaw, 1999] to the use of Commelina by orangutans as a possible antibacterial [Morrogh-Bernard, 2008].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, anointing can work 'defensively' against ectoparasites, microbial pathogens and/or other vectors for disease given the repelling and insecticidal properties of the various anointing materials used [Valderrama et al, 2000;Weldon, 2004;Lynch Alfaro et al, 2012]. The generally hot and humid climate and habitat of Miami, Fla., yield ideal conditions for abundant populations of mosquito species to thrive [Rey et al, 2006].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…observation) which have not been observed to be used by capuchins [Lynch Alfaro et al, 2012]. Owl monkeys, like capuchins, may use the millipede's defensive secretions (benzoquinones) for protection against mosquitos and harmful ectoparasites Weldon, 2004]. Finally, white-nosed coati ( Nasua narica Linnaeus) have been observed in Panama to anoint using Trattinnickia aspera (Swart) (Burseraceae) resin for grooming themselves and other members of their group, indicating that the resin is also used within a social context in this mammal species [Gompper and Holyman, 1993].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Owl Monkeys (Aotus spp.) Perform Self- and Social Anointing in Captivity

Jefferson¹,

Tapanes²,

Evans³

2014

IJFP

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Several species of primates, including owl monkeys (Aotus spp.), anoint by rubbing their fur with odiferous substances. Previous research has shown that capuchin monkeys (Cebus and Sapajus) anoint socially by rubbing their bodies together in groups of two or more while anointing. Owl monkeys housed at the DuMond Conservancy have been observed to anoint over the last 10 years, and we report detailed new information on the anointing behavior of this population, including descriptions of social anointing which occurs frequently. We first investigated the occurrence of self-anointing in 35 Aotus spp. presented with millipedes. Detailed descriptions regarding body regions anointed were obtained for all anointers (n = 28). The median duration for a self-anointing bout was 3.6 min (range from approx. 2 s to 14.15 min). While the latency and length of anointing bouts showed considerable interindividual differences, no statistically significant differences were found between sexes, wild- or captive-born owl monkeys or across age groups. However, we found the lower back and tail were anointed at a rate significantly greater than other body parts, but there were no differences in these patterns across sex or wild- or captive-born owl monkeys. More recently, social anointing was investigated in 26 Aotus spp. presented with millipedes, of which half were observed to anoint socially. The average duration for all social anointing bouts was 72.88 s, with a median duration of 30 s (range 5-322 s). A detailed ethogram was also generated that included behaviors that were performed while anointing, including facial expressions and vocalizations. The intraindividual variability for 8 monkeys used in both investigations is discussed. These findings extend our knowledge of anointing and confirm the existence of social anointing in another genus with a unique biology (nocturnal and socially monogamous) distinct from capuchins.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Owl Monkeys (Aotus spp.) Perform Self- and Social Anointing in Captivity

Jefferson¹,

Tapanes²,

Evans³

2014

IJFP

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“…Self-anointing is defined as the behaviour in which an animal applies a foreign substance on its integument, with or without saliva application (Brockie 1976, Zito et al 2003, Weldon 2004. This behaviour has been observed in a variety of organisms, like hedgehog-tenrecs Echinops telfairi (Eibl-Eibesfeldt 1965), rice--field rats Rattus rattoides (Xu et al 1995), Siberian chipmunks Tamias sibiricus (Kobayashi and Watanabi 1981), and capuchin monkeys Cebus capucinus and owl monkeys Aotus spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Baker 1996, Zito et al 2003. Active anting, in which ants or other pungent objects are rubbed onto the body, has been observed in birds (Chisholm 1944) and mammals (Hauser 1964), and some authors consider it to be similar to self-anointing (Burton 1957, Weldon 2004). According to a review on self-grooming (Spruijt et al 1992), self-anointing can be seen as a form of self--grooming.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender, age and seasonal dependent self-anointing in the European hedgehogErinaceus europaeus

et al. 2005

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Coen W. 2005. Gender, age and seasonal dependent self-anointing in the European hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus. Acta Theriologica 50: 167-173.Various hypotheses have been proposed in order to explain self-anointing in hedgehogs, but until now its function is still poorly understood. In order to obtain a better understanding of self-anointing, we investigated whether this behaviour is gender, age and seasonal dependent in seven European hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Linnaeus, 1758 populations. Signs of self-anointing were observed in more than 11% of all observations. First-year independent young were found to self-anoint more than adults, while male hedgehogs bore more signs of self-anointing than females. Self--anointing in adults displayed a peak in summertime, while no clear pattern was observed for young. We conclude that self-anointing is clearly dependent on gender, age and season.

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Exploiting interspecific olfactory communication to monitor predators

Garvey

Glen

Clout

et al. 2017

Ecological Applications

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Olfaction is the primary sense of many mammals and subordinate predators use this sense to detect dominant species, thereby reducing the risk of an encounter and facilitating coexistence. Chemical signals can act as repellents or attractants and may therefore have applications for wildlife management. We devised a field experiment to investigate whether dominant predator (ferret Mustela furo) body odor would alter the behavior of three common mesopredators: stoats (Mustela erminea), hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), and ship rats (Rattus rattus). We predicted that apex predator odor would lead to increased detections, and our results support this hypothesis as predator kairomones (interspecific olfactory messages that benefit the receiver) provoked "eavesdropping" behavior by mesopredators. Stoats exhibited the most pronounced responses, with kairomones significantly increasing the number of observations and the time spent at a site, so that their occupancy estimates changed from rare to widespread. Behavioral responses to predator odors can therefore be exploited for conservation and this avenue of research has not yet been extensively explored. A long-life lure derived from apex predator kairomones could have practical value, especially when there are plentiful resources that reduce the efficiency of food-based lures. Our results have application for pest management in New Zealand and the technique of using kairomones to monitor predators could have applications for conservation efforts worldwide.

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Defensive anointing: extended chemical phenotype and unorthodox ecology

Cited by 39 publications

References 33 publications

Owl Monkeys (Aotus spp.) Perform Self- and Social Anointing in Captivity

Owl Monkeys (Aotus spp.) Perform Self- and Social Anointing in Captivity

Gender, age and seasonal dependent self-anointing in the European hedgehogErinaceus europaeus

Exploiting interspecific olfactory communication to monitor predators

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