Relationships Between Sex and Stress Hormone Levels in Feces and Marking Behavior in a Wild Population of Iberian Wolves (Canis lupus signatus)

Barja, Isabel; Silván, Gema; Illera, Juan Carlos

doi:10.1007/s10886-008-9460-0

Cited by 56 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Wolves, for example, leave some of their faeces in exposed sites. These faeces are characterized by higher sex hormone levels than other faeces indicating that they serve to advertise dominance status [56]. Similarly, mice engage in counter-marking or leave behind a line of chemical flags that indicate the boundaries of their territory [57].…”

Section: From Cues To Signals-distinct Evolutionary Trajectories Of Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

The origin and dynamic evolution of chemical information transfer

2010

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Although chemical communication is the most widespread form of communication, its evolution and diversity are not well understood. By integrating studies of a wide range of terrestrial plants and animals, we show that many chemicals are emitted, which can unintentionally provide information (cues) and, therefore, act as direct precursors for the evolution of intentional communication (signals). Depending on the content, design and the original function of the cue, there are predictable ways that selection can enhance the communicative function of chemicals. We review recent progress on how efficacybased selection by receivers leads to distinct evolutionary trajectories of chemical communication.Because the original function of a cue may channel but also constrain the evolution of functional communication, we show that a broad perspective on multiple selective pressures acting upon chemicals provides important insights into the origin and dynamic evolution of chemical information transfer. Finally, we argue that integrating chemical ecology into communication theory may significantly enhance our understanding of the evolution, the design and the content of signals in general.

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Section: From Cues To Signals-distinct Evolutionary Trajectories Of Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

The origin and dynamic evolution of chemical information transfer

2010

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“…'Social stress' experienced by subordinates, can cause a chronic increase of GC secretion (Creel, 2001). It is known that chronic augmentation of these hormones costs/requires energy and can suppress other physiological systems not immediately necessary for survival and, in the case of the reproductive system, can cause 'psychological castration' Barja et al, 2008). One cooperative breeder in which stress-related suppression of reproduction is an important strategy is the meerkat (Suricata suricatta), where pregnant females chase subordinate females from the group resulting in an increase of GC levels in subordinates and a down-regulation of their reproduction (Young et al, 2006).…”

Section: Stress-induced Suppression Of Reproduction?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproduction in the endangered African wild dog: Basic physiology, reproductive suppression and possible benefits of artificial insemination

Berghe

Paris

Soom

et al. 2012

Animal Reproduction Science

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a b s t r a c tThe African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is an endangered exotic canid with less than 5500 animals remaining in the wild. Despite numerous strategies to conserve this species, numbers of free-living animals are in decline. It is a highly social species with a complex pack structure: separate male and female dominant hierarchies with, typically, participation of subdominant adults in the rearing of the dominant breeding pairs' pups. Basic reproductive knowledge is largely missing in this species, with only limited information available on the profile of reproductive hormones, based on non-invasive endocrine monitoring. The dominant or alpha male and female are reproductively active and the subdominants are generally reproductively suppressed. However, the occasional production of litters by subdominant females and evidence of multiple paternity within litters suggests that fertility of subordinates is not completely inhibited. In this respect, there are still considerable gaps in our knowledge about the mechanisms governing reproduction and reproductive suppression in African wild dogs, particularly the influence of dominance and pack structure on both male and female fertility. Given concerns over the long-term survival of this species, further research in this area is essential to provide valuable information for their captive breeding and conservation. Reproductive information can also be applied to the development of Assisted Reproductive Techniques for this species; the utility of which in African wild dog conservation is also discussed.

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“…Reproduction is typically restricted to the dominant pair who maintain their dominance through displays of aggression associated with submission by subordinates (Creel et al, 1997a;Frame et al, 1979). In previous studies, dominant individuals were found to have higher faecal GC concentrations than subordinates throughout the year (Creel et al, 1997a), an observation that was initially counter-intuitive and led to the suggestion that GCs are not mediators of reproductive suppression (Barja et al, 2008;Creel, 2005). High GC values in dominants might have been explained by aggression, but Creel (2005) considered this unlikely and concluded that aggression alone could not explain the persistence of high concentrations throughout the year because most aggression is confined to the mating period.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring stress in captive and free-ranging African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) using faecal glucocorticoid metabolites

Weyde

Martin

Paris

2016

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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An understanding of stress physiology is important for species management because high levels of stress can hamper reproduction and affect an individual's ability to cope with threats to their survival, such as disease and human-wildlife conflict. A commonly used indicator of stress, faecal concentrations of cortisol metabolites (FCM), can be used to assess the impact of social, biological and environmental factors. Measurements of FCM are particularly valuable for endangered species that are logistically challenging to study and where non-invasive techniques are preferred. As the second most endangered canid in Africa, the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) has been the focus of considerable conservation research, yet there is still little understanding of factors associated with stress, in either captive or free-ranging populations. The present study therefore aimed to determine whether stress levels differ between captive and free-ranging populations, and to detect social, biological and environmental factors that are stressful in these populations. Faecal samples were collected from 20 captive and 62 free-ranging animals. Within free-ranging populations, the sexes differed significantly, but there was no effect of social status, age or breeding period for either sex.Captive females had higher FCM concentrations than free-ranging females. In captive populations, FCM concentrations differed among zoos and with reproductive status in females, but were not related to age class or group-housing structure. In conclusion, FCM is a useful indicator of stress and should be considered an integrative aspect of management, for both in-situ and ex-situ African wild dog populations.

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Relationships Between Sex and Stress Hormone Levels in Feces and Marking Behavior in a Wild Population of Iberian Wolves (Canis lupus signatus)

Cited by 56 publications

References 33 publications

The origin and dynamic evolution of chemical information transfer

The origin and dynamic evolution of chemical information transfer

Reproduction in the endangered African wild dog: Basic physiology, reproductive suppression and possible benefits of artificial insemination

Monitoring stress in captive and free-ranging African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) using faecal glucocorticoid metabolites

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