Savanna chimpanzees adjust sleeping nest architecture in response to local weather conditions

Stewart, Fiona; Piel, Alex K.; Azkarate, Jurgi Cristóbal; Pruetz, Jill D.

doi:10.1002/ajpa.23461

Cited by 24 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 44 publications

(80 reference statements)

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“…In larger mammals, however, the drive towards thermal preparation for sleep is no weaker. Chimpanzees and other primates select their arboreal sleeping sites (Figure 1A), at least partly, on thermal characteristics, and during colder weather even adjust their nest sites to be more insulating (Koops et al, 2012; Samson and Hunt, 2012; Stewart et al, 2018). In addition, humans actively regulate temperature during sleep by unconsciously increasing their exposed surface area as ambient temperatures rise.…”

Section: Preparation For Sleep Is a Thermoregulatory Behaviourmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Temperature Dependence of Sleep

2019

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Mammals have evolved a range of behavioural and neurological mechanisms that coordinate cycles of thermoregulation and sleep. Whether diurnal or nocturnal, sleep onset and a reduction in core temperature occur together. Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep episodes are also accompanied by core and brain cooling. Thermoregulatory behaviours, like nest building and curling up, accompany this circadian temperature decline in preparation for sleeping. This could be a matter of simply comfort as animals seek warmth to compensate for lower temperatures. However, in both humans and other mammals, direct skin warming can shorten sleep-latency and promote NREM sleep. We discuss the evidence that body cooling and sleep are more fundamentally connected and that thermoregulatory behaviours, prior to sleep, form warm microclimates that accelerate NREM directly through neuronal circuits. Paradoxically, this warmth might also induce vasodilation and body cooling. In this way, warmth seeking and nesting behaviour might enhance the circadian cycle by activating specific circuits that link NREM initiation to body cooling. We suggest that these circuits explain why NREM onset is most likely when core temperature is at its steepest rate of decline and why transitions to NREM are accompanied by a decrease in brain temperature. This connection may have implications for energy homeostasis and the function of sleep.

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Section: Preparation For Sleep Is a Thermoregulatory Behaviourmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Temperature Dependence of Sleep

2019

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“…For instance, when T a is high, primates reduce their daily travel distance (McLester, Brown, Stewart, & Piel, 2019), spend more time resting in the shade ( Callithrix jacchus : Abreu, De la Fuente, Schiel, & Souto, 2016; Fuente, Souto, Sampaio, & Schiel, 2014; Colobus polykomos : Dasilva, 1992; Papio cynocephalus: Stelzner, 1988), and stay in cooler microhabitats (e.g., caves) during the day ( Pan troglodytes verus : Pruetz, 2007; A. palliate : Thompson et al, 2016). On the other hand, when T a is low, primates respond by adopting alternative behaviors: They may change social relationships (increasing physical contact with others) within their group to benefit their thermal competences (McFarland et al, 2015), adjust nest architecture to increase thermoregulation (Stewart, Piel, Azkarate, & Pruetz, 2018), preferentially use heat‐conserving postures in sunny areas or stay under direct sunlight ( Alouatta caraya: Bicca‐Marques & Calegaro‐Marques, 1998; Callicebus nigrifrons: Gestich, Caselli, & Setz, 2014; P. cynocephalus: Stelzner & Hausfater, 1986), form huddles ( Macaca fuscata: Ogawa & Wada, 2011; Ueno & Nakamichi, 2018), select warmer microhabitats during the day ( A. palliate: Thompson et al, 2016), or remain for longer in caves ( P. hamadryas ursinus: Barrett, Gaynor, Rendall, Mitchell, & Henzi, 2004). As summarized by Dunbar, Korstjens, and Lehmann (2009), primates actively avoid thermal stress (e.g., avoid being exposed to environments with T a s that are too high or too low) through various behavioral adjustments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral adjustments and support use of François' langur in limestone habitat in Fusui, China: Implications for behavioral thermoregulation

Huang

2020

Ecology and Evolution

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Climatic factors such as temperature and humidity vary seasonally in primate habitats; thus, behavioral adjustments and microhabitat selection by primate species have been interpreted as behavioral adaptations. François' langur (Trachypithecus francoisi), a native species to southwest China and northern Vietnam, inhabits a limestone habitat with extreme climatic conditions. To understand the potential effects of climatic seasonality on this species, we collected data on the individual behavioral budgets in a T. francoisi group between January and December 2010 in Fusui County, China. Monthly, we performed 5–11 days of observation during this period, using focal animal sampling and continuous recording methods. We also recorded ambient temperature (Ta) and relative humidity (Hr) data at our study site. Results indicated that Ta and Hr were significantly correlated with each other and fluctuated dramatically on a daily, monthly, and seasonal basis. The amount of time spent resting, grooming, basking, and huddling also varied on a daily, monthly, and seasonal basis. The proportion of resting time and total sedentary activity time significantly increased at high and low Tas, respectively. The total sedentary time, resting time, and plant branch use all showed positive significant correlations with Ta. Our results suggest that behavioral adjustment and support use of T. francoisi, at least partly, were related to thermoregulation. T. francoisi minimized thermal stress through behavioral adjustments and support use. It is an adaptive behavior associated with the climatic extremes of limestone habitat. This study can potentially advise conservation management strategies in this specific habitat. Conservation efforts should focus on vegetation restoration in langurs' habitat, including those in the foothills.

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“…An ape will usually build a new nest each evening and, despite lack of systematic investigation, is assumed to use it for rest from dusk until dawn (but see Tagg et al, ; Piel, , Pruetz, ; Stewart, Piel, Azkarate, & Pruetz, ; in this volume). Occasionally, nests are also built during the day, usually for rest, but have also been observed to serve functions of grooming, play, sex, nursing, and giving birth.…”

Section: Great Ape Nesting Behavior and Proximate Functions Of Great mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Temperature during the day can also affect great ape sleeping patterns at night, as shown in Fongoli by Pruetz (), whereby increased nocturnal activity appeared to be the result of compensating for thermal stress experienced during the day. Evidence provided in this issue suggests that chimpanzees adjust nest shape and architecture in response to local weather conditions (Stewart, Piel, Azkarate, & Pruetz, ).…”

Section: Great Ape Nesting Behavior and Proximate Functions Of Great mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sleep and nesting behavior in primates: A review

Fruth

Tagg

Stewart

2018

American J Phys Anthropol

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Sleep is a universal behavior in vertebrate and invertebrate animals, suggesting it originated in the very first life forms. Given the vital function of sleep, sleeping patterns and sleep architecture follow dynamic and adaptive processes reflecting trade-offs to different selective pressures. Here, we review responses in sleep and sleep-related behavior to environmental constraints across primate species, focusing on the role of great ape nest building in hominid evolution. We summarize and synthesize major hypotheses explaining the proximate and ultimate functions of great ape nest building across all species and subspecies; we draw on 46 original studies published between 2000 and 2017. In addition, we integrate the most recent data brought together by researchers from a complementary range of disciplines in the frame of the symposium "Burning the midnight oil" held at the 26th Congress of the International Primatological Society, Chicago, August 2016, as well as some additional contributors, each of which is included as a "stand-alone" article in this "Primate Sleep" symposium set. In doing so, we present crucial factors to be considered in describing scenarios of human sleep evolution: (a) the implications of nest construction for sleep quality and cognition; (b) the tree-to-ground transition in early hominids; (c) the peculiarities of human sleep. We propose bridging disciplines such as neurobiology, endocrinology, medicine, and evolutionary ecology, so that future research may disentangle the major functions of sleep in human and nonhuman primates, namely its role in energy allocation, health, and cognition.

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Savanna chimpanzees adjust sleeping nest architecture in response to local weather conditions

Cited by 24 publications

References 44 publications

The Temperature Dependence of Sleep

The Temperature Dependence of Sleep

Behavioral adjustments and support use of François' langur in limestone habitat in Fusui, China: Implications for behavioral thermoregulation

Sleep and nesting behavior in primates: A review

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