Patterns of Behaviour, Group Structure and Reproductive Status Predict Levels of Glucocorticoid Metabolites in Zoo-Housed Ring-Tailed Lemurs, Lemur catta


Autoria(s): Smith, T. E.; McCusker, C. M.; Stevens, J. M. G.; Elwood, R. W.
Data(s)

01/03/2016

Resumo

<p>In ring-tailed lemurs, Lemur catta, the factors modulating hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) activity differ between wild and semi-free-ranging populations. Here we assess factors modulating HPA activity in ring-tailed lemurs housed in a third environment: the zoo. First we validate an enzyme immunoassay to quantify levels of glucocorticoid (GC) metabolites in the faeces of L. catta . We determine the nature of the femalefemale dominance hierarchies within each group by computing David's scores and examining these in relation to faecal GC (fGC). Relationships between female age and fGC are assessed to evaluate potential age-related confounds. The associations between fGC, numbers of males in a group and reproductive status are explored. Finally, we investigate the value of 7 behaviours in predicting levels of fGC. The study revealed stable linear dominance hierarchies in females within each group. The number of males in a social group together with reproductive status, but not age, influenced fGC. The 7 behavioural variables accounted for 68% of the variance in fGC. The amounts of time an animal spent locomoting and in the inside enclosure were both negative predictors of fGC. The study highlights the flexibility and adaptability of the HPA system in ring-tailed lemurs.</p>

Identificador

http://pure.qub.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/patterns-of-behaviour-group-structure-and-reproductive-status-predict-levels-of-glucocorticoid-metabolites-in-zoohoused-ringtailed-lemurs-lemur-catta(ee419bdd-f10f-4917-9f12-d6b41e4edc5b).html

http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000442587

http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84955574017&partnerID=8YFLogxK

Idioma(s)

eng

Direitos

info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess

Fonte

Smith , T E , McCusker , C M , Stevens , J M G & Elwood , R W 2016 , ' Patterns of Behaviour, Group Structure and Reproductive Status Predict Levels of Glucocorticoid Metabolites in Zoo-Housed Ring-Tailed Lemurs, Lemur catta ' Folia Primatologica , vol 86 , no. 6 , pp. 506-524 . DOI: 10.1159/000442587

Palavras-Chave #Dominance #Glucocorticoids #Lemur catta #Non-invasive methods #Social rank #Zoo #/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1103 #Animal Science and Zoology #/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1105 #Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Tipo

article