Circadian variation with a diurnal bimodal profile on scent-marking behavior in captive common marmosets (callitrhix jacchus)

Scent-marking behavior is associated with different behavioral contexts in callitrichids, including signalizing a territory, location of feeding resources, and social rank. In marmosets and tamarins it is also associated with intersexual communication. Though it appears very important for the daily routine of the individuals, very few researchers have investigated distribution through the 24-h cycle. In a preliminary report, we described a preferential incidence of this behavior 2 h before nocturnal rest in families of common marmosets. We expand the data using 8 family groups (28 subjects), 8 fathers, 6 mothers, 8 nonreproductive adults (4 sons and 4 daughters), and 6 juvenile (3 sons and 3 daughters) offspring that we kept in outdoor cages under natural environmental conditions. We recorded the frequency of anogenital scent marking for each group during the light phase, twice a wk, for 4 consecutive wks, from March 1998 to September 1999. Cosinor test detected 24- and 8-h variations in 89.3% and 85.7% of the subjects, respectively, regardless of sex or reproductive status. The 8-h component is a consequence of the 2 peaks for the behavior, at the beginning and end of the light phase. Daily distribution of scent marking is similar to that others described previously for motor activity in marmosets. The coincident rhythmical patterns for both behaviors seem to be associated with feeding behavior, as described for callitrichids in free-ranging conditions, involving an increase in foraging activities early in the morning and shortly before nocturnal rest

Density and Spatial Distribution of Buffy-tufted-ear Marmosets (Callithrix aurita) in a Continuous Atlantic Forest

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Diet of buffy tufted-eared marmosets (Callithrix aurita) in a forest fragment in southeastern Brazil

The feeding ecology of the Atlantic forest marmosets (Callithrix spp.) in southeastern Brazil is poorly known, and few studies have focused on buffy tufted-eared marmosets, Callithrix aurita. We determined the food items and investigated the seasonal variation in the diet of a group of four Callithrix aurita in a 17-ha semideciduous forest fragment in southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. We recorded daily feeding activities between October 1994 and September 1995 using scan sampling at 5-min intervals. The marmosets devoted feeding rime to gums (50.5%), fruits (11%), and animal prey (38.5%) in a fetal of 499 records. Plant resources comprised 27 species from 16 families. They used Acacia paniculata (Mimosoideae, Leguminosae), the main gum source (82%), year-round Maclura tinctoria (Moraceae) was the fruit species that they consumed most (22%). The marmosets preyed on caterpillars (33%), katydids (5%), and homopterans (4%). Feeding on fruits varied seasonally and was inversely related to gum feeding. Consumption of animal prey remained constant over the year. The wide and year-round dependence on gum suggests that Acacia may play a critical role in marmoset persistence in forest fragments.

Parental care in the buffy-tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix aurita) in wild and captive groups

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Padrão de atividades, ecologia alimentar e área de vida em um grupo de Callithrix penicillata (Humboldt, 1812)

Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal - IBILCE

Molecular studies of Callithrix pygmaea (Primates, Platyrrhini) based on transferrin intronic and ND1 regions: implications for taxonomy and conservation

As classificações tradicionais envolvendo os macacos da infraordem Platyrrhini, principalmente baseadas em características morfológicas, têm sido contestadas por dados moleculares recentes. A subfamília Callitrichinae (Platyrrhine, Primates) engloba um diverso grupo de espécies, muitas das quais consideradas em perigo de extinção. A presente análise de duas regiões do DNA, um gene mitocondrial (ND1) e um gene nuclear (regiões intrônicas da transferrina), sugerem que Callithrix pygmaea apresenta variabilidade suficiente para justificar a existência de subespécies ou até mesmo de espécies distintas. As árvores filogenéticas baseadas na região do ND1 indicam que esta espécie está relacionada mais proximamente aos marmosets amazônicos do que aos da mata Atlântica. Estes resultados reabrem a discussão sobre diversidade e programas de conservação baseados apenas em classificações taxonômicas tradicionais.

Propondo um problema de forrageio como meio de enriquecer o cativeiro: um estudo comparativo de duas espécies de primatas brasileiros (Callithrix penicillata e Saguinus imperator)

O presente estudo analisou a influência de um simples aparelho que simulou o forrageamento ativo por insetos, funcionando como um alimentador enigmático denominado puzzle, sobre o comportamento de duas espécies de calitriquíneos (Callitrichinae, Primates) mantidos em cativeiro no Centro Nacional de Primatas (CENP). Buscou-se comparar a reação das duas espécies frente ao aparelho proposto, e verificar a viabilidade deste artifício no enriquecimento ambiental das condições de cativeiro para estes primatas. Foram utilizados três casais de Saguinus imperator, conhecido por sagui imperador e três casais de Callithrix penicillata, conhecido por mico estrela, as comparações foram feitas entre as espécies e entre os sexos. Foram gravadas através de vídeo cassete seções de observação com duração de três horas, divididas em dois períodos, um controle (ausência do puzzle) e outro experimental (presença do puzzle), com um total de 36 horas de observação para cada casal. As sessões de controle foram usadas para calcular a linha base do orçamento de atividade para comparações com padrões de comportamento durante as sessões experimentais. As fitas foram transcritas, e todos os eventos de comportamento foram cronometrados, e registrados as medidas da freqüência e duração de eventos. Nas duas espécies a manipulação do puzzle não alcançou uma proporção de tempo muito elevada, porém demonstrou uma diferença clara entre as duas espécies, ocupando 3,96% do tempo total dos micos e 1,99% do tempo dos saguis. Os micos gastaram com repouso, durante as seções experimentais, 17% menos tempo em comparação com a situação controle. Considerando que a ociosidade reduziu em menos de 7% nos saguis, com a atividade geral aumentada em 10%. Entre os sexos, notou-se uma inversão, onde as fêmeas de sagui tiveram um aumento de 18% na ociosidade e queda de 14% na atividade, enquanto as fêmeas de mico tiveram uma diminuição nas duas categorias de pouco menos de 10%. Os machos responderam mais ao puzzle, os saguis aumentaram em 58% a atividade e diminuíram em 23% a ociosidade, os micos aumentaram a atividade em 4% e diminuíram a ociosidade em menos de 10%. Todos os animais aprenderam a manipular o equipamento e capturar os insetos, sendo que os micos tiveram um maior êxito no número de larvas capturadas, superando aos saguis em cerca de 54% de seu índice. As fêmeas tiveram mais êxitos em ambas as espécies, porém superficialmente nos micos. Em contraste, nos saguis as fêmeas foram 16% mais prósperas que os machos. O puzzle foi eficiente em enriquecer o ambiente cativo dos animais e estimular o comportamento manipulativo, sendo um instrumento importante na busca do bem estar para as duas espécies.

Estudo experimental sobre a resposta imunológica em infecções seqüenciais pelo vírus Dengue 3 e pelo vírus Dengue 2 em primatas não humanos da espécie Callithrix penicillata

A dengue é causada pelo Vírus da dengue (VDEN - Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) e é considerada a arbovirose mais difundida no mundo. Atualmente, não há um animal que sirva como modelo para estudos sobre a patogênese do VDEN. Para investigar a susceptibilidade da espécie Callithrix penicillata ao VDEN foram inoculados amostras do VDEN-3 e do VDEN-2 de isoladas de casos humanos fatais. Para tal, vinte e dois animais foram infectados com VDEN-3 (3,23 × 103 PFU/mL) e, sessenta dias após a infecção (d.p.i.), 11 deles foram secundariamente infectados com VDEN-2 (4,47 × 104 PFU/mL). Sangue, plasma e soro, foram coletados diariamente durante os primeiros sete dias e em 15, 20, 45 e 60 d.p.i.. Foram investigados a produção de anticorpos IgM e inibidores da hemaglutinação, assim como foram análisados parâmetros hematologicos e bioquímicos e o perfil sérico de citocinas (IL-6, TNF-, IL-2, IFN-α, IL-4 e IL-5). A infecção primária (VDEN-3) revelou anticorpos IgM (15- 20 d.p.i.), anticorpos IH (15-60 d.p.i.), aumento dos níveis de TNF-α e IFN-γ e diminuição da IL-5. Na infecção secundária (VDEN-2), foi detectado anticorpos IgM (15-20 d.p.i.), anticorpos IH (15-60 d.p.i.) e diminuição dos níveis de IL-6, TNF-α, de IFN-γ e IL-5. Além disso, foi observado em ambas infecções leucopenia, neutropenia, linfocitopenia, monocitopenia, trombocitopenia, e aumentou da AST. O aumento dos níveis de INF-γ e TNF- α indicaram a ativação da resposta inflamatória, com a diferenciação para a resposta celular e supressão da proliferação de citocinas características da resposta humoral. A presença de anticorpos neutralizantes pode ter ocasionado a supressão da resposta inflamatória na infecção secundária o que pode ter levado a ausência de sinais de Febre Hemorrágica do Dengue/Sindrome do Choque do Dengue (FHD/SCD) durante a infecção secundária (VDEN- 2). Os resultados indicam que o primatas não humanos da espécie Callithrix penicillata demonstraram susceptibilidade à cepas de VDEN de origem humana, sugerindo que esses animais são um bom modelo para estudos da resposta imunológica da Febre do Dengue (FD), assim como para a avaliação de uma vacina tetravalente.

Sero-epidemiological survey for brucellosis, leptospirosis, and toxoplasmosis in free-ranging Alouatta caraya and Callithrix penicillata from Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Diagnóstico populacional e comportamental de saguis-de-tufo-preto (Callithrix penicillata) em ambiente peri-urbano

The black-tufted-marmoset (Callithrix penicillata), abundant in the southeastern state of São Paulo, is an exotic and invasive species . The present study aimed to study the behavior and make monitoring a population black-tufted-marmoset in man-made environment. The observations were made following the method of scan sampling, which consists of continuous observations with a duration of three minutes with a fifteen-minute intervals between one record and another. The individuals are monitored at two locations on campus, where two groups were identified (with a mean of 3.50 ± 2.06 individuals) totaling 291 hours and 30 minutes of observation. Were determined tree layers used, and observed that the group of EC preferably utilizes the highest stratum, while the group of LCF uses the middle and lower strata. Types of vocalization, such as calling, interaction and alert and frequency and percentage of these were also observed. The food items consumed by the groups that are similar in the two study sites, mostly sap and leaves were diagnosed. From observations of behavioral patterns was possible to construct an ethogram of the species ' Luiz de Queiroz ' campus, comprising the behaviors of vocalization, locomotion, foraging, game, among others. The results may be useful for development of management techniques and for subsequent studies

Avaliação da influência do enriquecimento ambiental nas variáveis comportamentais de saguis-de-cara-branca (Callithrix geoffroyi) em cativeiro

Six species of the genus Callithrix can be found across the Atlantic Forest extension, being the Callithrix geoffroyi, Geoffroy`s marmoset, the least studied species. The objective of this study is to investigate the behavioral aspects of the species in captivity, and how the environmental enrichment techniques influence those behaviors. To this end, we have studied three specimens of C. geoffroyi, in captivity at Municipal Zoo of Piracicaba, São Paulo. The enclosure includes a 37m2 with under masonry, concrete platforms with external deep, trunks, a floor of grass and soil, e grid in their other three sides. The sampling method was focal per time interval, with records every 30 seconds in sessions of 30 minutes, totaling 30 hours for each animal, which were distributed in a baseline phase, an environmental enrichment phase and post-enrichment phase (n = 3660 records in each phase). The twelve enrichment techniques were applied: the physical environment (branches for perches and hoses fabrics for bedding and vanishing points), cognitive (radio, mirror, puzzle food) and food (insects, flowers and eggs hidden, wrapped). Initially, to determine the period of greatest activity of marmosets, we investigated the pattern of activity for three days (9:00 am to 17:00 pm) consecutively at intervals of 15 minutes, recording the number of active and inactive individuals. The 495 records signaled greater activity in the morning, then selected period for the completion of this work. The ethogram comprised 16 behaviors. The inactivity was the predominant phase behavior baseline and post-enrichment with a significant decrease (h=8,62, p <0.01) in the enrichment phase, and a significant increase in the post enrichment (h=18,15, p <0.001). The same was seen for the use of substrate (grid and ground vs. Trunk and concrete, h=5,09, p <0.001 and h=3,98, p <0.05)... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Ultrastructural aspects of Callithrix penicillata lingual papillae

Callithrix penicillata belongs to the family Callitrichidae, Callithrix genus. They are basically insectivorous, but they consume fruits. The mucosa of the tongue is composed of some papillary types, revealing different levels of expertise. The present study attempted to describe the morphological and ultrastructural aspects of the dorsal surface of the C. penicillata, describing the characteristics and distribution of papillae found. Five tongues of C. penicillata (two females and three males), obtained from breeding colonies of CENP-Ananindeua-PA, died from natural causes. The material was fixed partly in a buffer solution paraformaldehyde 10% and partly in modified Karnovsky solution, divided into apex, body, and root, and then the fragments were used in light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The average length of the tongue of the females was 22 mm and for males 20.5 mm. Three types of papillae were described: filiform (along all tissue extension with 154 mu m of diameter), fungiform (along all tissue extension with 275 mu m of diameter), and vallate (just three units in caudal (dorsal) portion with 672 mu m of diameter). Data analysis indicates that the distribution and ultrastructural morphology of the C. penicillata lingual papillae are some similar to other primates. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2011. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Nest stolen: the first observation of nest predation by an invasive exotic marmoset (Callithrix penicillata) in an agricultural mosaic

Invasive exotic species can negatively impact local biodiversity. We present here a report of a nest predation of an endemic bird species, variable oriole (Icterus pyrrhopterus) by the introduced black-tufted marmoset (Callithrix penicillata)in an agricultural landscape highly disturbed by human activities. Two nestlings were predated, by adults of the introduced marmoset during two alternate days. Antipredator behavior and vocal mimicry were observed in variable oriole, while copulation was observed in black-tufted marmoset during the predation. The use of mobbing against predators by I. pyrrhopterus was observed and it is described here by the first time. The potential impact of the introduced marmosets to local biodiversity is discussed.

Circadian variation with a diurnal bimodal profile on scent-marking behavior in captive common marmosets (callitrhix jacchus)

Scent-marking behavior is associated with different behavioral contexts in callitrichids, including signalizing a territory, location of feeding resources, and social rank. In marmosets and tamarins it is also associated with intersexual communication. Though it appears very important for the daily routine of the individuals, very few researchers have investigated distribution through the 24-h cycle. In a preliminary report, we described a preferential incidence of this behavior 2 h before nocturnal rest in families of common marmosets. We expand the data using 8 family groups (28 subjects), 8 fathers, 6 mothers, 8 nonreproductive adults (4 sons and 4 daughters), and 6 juvenile (3 sons and 3 daughters) offspring that we kept in outdoor cages under natural environmental conditions. We recorded the frequency of anogenital scent marking for each group during the light phase, twice a wk, for 4 consecutive wks, from March 1998 to September 1999. Cosinor test detected 24- and 8-h variations in 89.3% and 85.7% of the subjects, respectively, regardless of sex or reproductive status. The 8-h component is a consequence of the 2 peaks for the behavior, at the beginning and end of the light phase. Daily distribution of scent marking is similar to that others described previously for motor activity in marmosets. The coincident rhythmical patterns for both behaviors seem to be associated with feeding behavior, as described for callitrichids in free-ranging conditions, involving an increase in foraging activities early in the morning and shortly before nocturnal rest