Functional Context of Scent-Marking in Callithrix penicillata

Oliveira, Danilo Gustavo Rodrigues de; Macêdo, Regina H.

doi:10.1159/000313011

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(18 reference statements)

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“…However, to counteract these external variations, animals could alter their behaviour to ensure effective information transfer. For example, the scent marking frequency of black-tufted marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) was positively correlated with humidity (Oliveira and Macedo 2010), while aardwolves (Proteles cristata) increased scent marking during the summer wet season (Marneweck et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal Variation of White Rhino Dung Odours

2017

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In order for an olfactory signal to be effective, it must persist in the environment for an extended period. White rhino dung odours transmit information about sex, age, territorial and oestrous states. As these odours relay important information, temporal changes in the odour emission rate and/or composition may be critical in order for other individuals to obtain this information. Here, we examine how the dung odours of adult white rhinos (male: territorial and non-territorial; female: oestrous and non-oestrous) change over the short (hours) and long (seasons) term using headspace extraction. Additionally, we measure seasonal midden visitation and defecation frequency to link behaviours to seasonal changes in odour longevity. We found that during the dry season, territorial male dung odours persisted for 48 hours, while the odours of all other adults persisted for >48 hours. The high temperature and humidity of the wet season did not affect odour longevity of oestrous females, but decreased dung odour longevity (i.e. increased emission) of territorial males, non-territorial males, and non-oestrous females. Despite this reduction, neither males nor females adjusted their seasonal visitation or defecation frequency. With regard to a temporal indicator, 3,7-dimethly-1,6-octadiene signalled dung age during the wet season, while acetophenone signalled dung age during the dry season. Ultimately, our results provide the first detailed account of temporal changes of dung VOCs, and highlight the limitations of dung as a signalling medium.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal Variation of White Rhino Dung Odours

2017

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“…This behavior has been reported to be either territorial or serving to label a food source (Lazaro-Perea et al, 1999; Oliveira & Macedo, 2010). ‘Phee calling’ (loud single- or multisyllable whistle).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral characteristics of pair bonding in the black tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix penicillata)

Ågmo¹,

Smith²,

Birnie³

et al. 2012

Behav

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The present study describes how the development of a pair bond modifies social, sexual and aggressive behavior. Five heterosexual pairs of marmosets, previously unknown to each other, were formed at the beginning of the study. At the onset of pairing, social, sexual, exploratory and aggressive behaviors were recorded for 40 min. The animals were then observed for 20 min, both in the morning and afternoon for 21 days. The frequency and/or duration of behaviors recorded on Day 1 were compared to those recorded at later observations. The behavior displayed shortly after pairing should be completely unaffected by the pair bond, while such a bond should be present at later observations. Thus, it was possible to determine how the behavior between the pair was modified by the development of a pair bond. Social behaviors increased from Day 1 to Days 2–6 and all subsequent days observed. Conversely, other behaviors, such as open mouth displays (usually considered to be an invitation to sexual activity), had a high frequency during the early part of cohabitation but declined towards the end. Consequently, pair bonding manifests itself in an increased intensity of social behaviors. It is suggested that the intrinsically rewarding properties of grooming and perhaps other social behaviors turn the pair mate into a positive incentive, activating approach and further interactions when possible. Thus, the pair bond may be a motivational state activated by the conditioned incentive properties of the partner. This notion can explain all forms of pair bonds, including those occurring between individuals of the same sex and in promiscuous species.

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“…Field testing is also necessary to assess the practical ability of this method to overcome logistical challenges unique to the field, such as accessing samples and controlling for compounds present in the background environment. Common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus), an arboreal Neotropical primate, provide an advantageous model for field testing this equipment since much is known about their use of olfaction from both the field and laboratory (e.g., Lazaro-Perea, Snowdon, & Fátima Arruda, 1999;Oliveira & Macedo, 2010;Smith, 2006;Ziegler, Peterson, Sosa, & Barnard, 2011), and their scent secretions have previously been characterized via GC-MS (Kücklich et al, 2017;Smith, Tomlinson, Mlotkiewicz, & Abbott, 2001). Wild marmosets deposit scent marks in numerous social and ecological contexts, including when gouging trees and lianas to feed on exudates (Lazaro-Perea et al, 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What smells? Developing in‐field methods to characterize the chemical composition of wild mammalian scent cues

Thompson

Bottenberg

Lantz

et al. 2020

Ecology and Evolution

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Olfactory cues play an important role in mammalian biology, but have been challenging to assess in the field. Current methods pose problematic issues with sample storage and transportation, limiting our ability to connect chemical variation in scents with relevant ecological and behavioral contexts. Real‐time, in‐field analysis via portable gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) has the potential to overcome these issues, but with trade‐offs of reduced sensitivity and compound mass range. We field‐tested the ability of portable GC‐MS to support two representative applications of chemical ecology research with a wild arboreal primate, common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus). We developed methods to (a) evaluate the chemical composition of marmoset scent marks deposited at feeding sites and (b) characterize the scent profiles of exudates eaten by marmosets. We successfully collected marmoset scent marks across several canopy heights, with the portable GC‐MS detecting known components of marmoset glandular secretions and differentiating these from in‐field controls. Likewise, variation in the chemical profile of scent marks demonstrated a significant correlation with marmoset feeding behavior, indicating these scents’ biological relevance. The portable GC‐MS also delineated species‐specific olfactory signatures of exudates fed on by marmosets. Despite the trade‐offs, portable GC‐MS represents a viable option for characterizing olfactory compounds used by wild mammals, yielding biologically relevant data. While the decision to adopt portable GC‐MS will likely depend on site‐ and project‐specific needs, our ability to conduct two example applications under relatively challenging field conditions bodes well for the versatility of in‐field GC‐MS.

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Functional Context of Scent-Marking in Callithrix penicillata

Cited by 5 publications

References 40 publications

Temporal Variation of White Rhino Dung Odours

Temporal Variation of White Rhino Dung Odours

Behavioral characteristics of pair bonding in the black tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix penicillata)

What smells? Developing in‐field methods to characterize the chemical composition of wild mammalian scent cues

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