Hormonal correlates of behavioural profiles and coping strategies in captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus)

Abstract

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that individual differences in behavioural profiles correlate to differences in stress-related behaviours and hormonal levels in captive brown capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus). Based on a sample of 25 animals, 143 h of behavioural data collection and 518 faecal samples, principal component analyses indicated the existence of four components that characterize the individuals´Genus Normative Behaviour (GNB) (KMO = 0.531, X 2 = 127.672, p < 0.001): 'Feeding', 'Sociability', 'Exploration', and 'Activity'. Other four components are related to stress coping styles (based on Behaviour Potentially Indicative of Stress -BPIS) (KMO = 0.550, X 2 = 329.303, p < 0.001): 'Self-directed'; 'Restless', 'Ingestion/Self-Scratching', and 'Stereotyped'. More active individuals exhibit rapid stress-related behaviours (r = 0.443; p = 0.044) while less active individuals exhibit more stationary stress-related behaviours (r = -0.519; p = 0.013). Akaike information criteria indicated that the best linear regression model to predict the physiological profile (Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites -FGM) included three GNB and three BPIS components. 'Sociability' (p < 0.05), 'Exploration' (p < 0.05), and 'Ingestion/Self-scratching' (p < 0.05) predicted lower FGM levels. 'Activity' (p < 0.05), 'Self-directed' (p < 0.05), and 'Stereotyped' (p < 0.05) predicted higher FGM levels. 'Feeding' and 'Restless' factors were not included in the models. Our results support previous studies indicating that animals within the same population differ in the way they behave and react to stressful conditions, and these are correlated to different physiological profiles. Mapping inter-individual differences in stress coping strategies may help clarify the long-term reported incongruity between behavioural and physiological indicators of welfare in captive animals, supporting better management practices and assisting translational models of the development of psychopathologies.

Towards more compassionate wildlife research through the 3Rs principles: moving from invasive to non-invasive methods

“…The damaging effects of captivity have been well documented. Animals can exhibit stereotyped behavior (Wechsler 1991, Callard et al 2000, Shyne 2006, Jett et al 2017, Poirier and Bateson 2017, Williams et al 2018a, and suffer from increased stress (Bordeleau et al 2018, Ferreira et al 2018, which can eventually result in higher incidence of diseases and mortality (Terio et al 2004, Mitchell et al 2018.…”

Individual Differences in Hatching Time Predict Alcohol Response in Zebrafish

“…In studies investigating individual differences in several species, including mammals, birds, and fish (Baugh et al, 2017; Araujo-Silva et al, 2018; Ferreira et al, 2018), a common idea is that the behavioral profile is usually accompanied by physiological responses. Several authors suggest that active vs. passive individuals can be characterized at either end of a continuum, with many intermediate profiles in between.…”

Potential applications of personality assessments to the management of non-human primates: a review of 10 years of study

“…However, correlations between these variables are not always consistent, even within the same species ( Fernández-Lázaro et al, 2019 ); consequently, animal caretakers may inadvertently over- or under-estimate welfare. Studying personality may aid in understanding why behavioural and physiological measures are not always consistent measures of welfare; for example, recent studies have suggested that individuals may rely on different coping strategies and display alternative stress-indicative behaviours ( Ferreira et al, 2018 ). However, while several studies have highlighted personality as an intrinsic factor predisposing individuals to developing stereotyped behaviours, they typically focus on only one type of behaviour.…”

“…Only one study explored how traditional welfare measures may be impacted by personality. Ferreira et al (2018) aimed to quantitively measure the hormonal correlates of personality types and specific stress-indicative behaviours under stress in 25 zoo-housed brown capuchins. The “Active” personality dimension was found to be of particular significance in this study; monkeys assessed as more “Active” displayed more rapid stereotyped behaviours, such as pacing head-twirling, and exhibited higher faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) levels ( Ferreira et al, 2018 ).…”

“… Ferreira et al (2018) aimed to quantitively measure the hormonal correlates of personality types and specific stress-indicative behaviours under stress in 25 zoo-housed brown capuchins. The “Active” personality dimension was found to be of particular significance in this study; monkeys assessed as more “Active” displayed more rapid stereotyped behaviours, such as pacing head-twirling, and exhibited higher faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) levels ( Ferreira et al, 2018 ). “Active” was similarly reported to predict FGM in an assessment carried out by Fernández-Lázaro et al (2019) on eight primate species ( S. oedipus, Saguinus imperator, Leontopithecus rosalia, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix geoffroyi, Cebuella pygmaea, Pithecia pithecia, Nycticebus pygmaeus ).…”