Lunar periodic modulation of the circadian activity rhythm in a wild North Colombian night monkey (<i>Aotus griseimembra</i>)

Muñóz-Delgado, Jairo; Link, Andrés; Montilla, Sebastián O.; Jiménez, Said; Aquino, Itzel De; Villanueva-Valle, Javier; Erkert, Hans G.

doi:10.1080/07420528.2021.1903029

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…We scored the behavior of each monkey ( n = 22 monkeys) during 20‐min focal observation periods at night (20:00–22:00 h) at least six times over an 8‐week period (mean = 8.65, range = 6–9 observation periods/monkey). Because lunar light intensity affects activity levels in owl monkeys (Fernández‐Duque et al, 2010; Muñoz‐Delgado et al, 2021), we scheduled observations systematically to ensure that each owl monkey was observed across various moon phases. Observations began within 2 h following dusk, a time that corresponds with high levels of activity (Tapanes et al, 2007; Wright 1985).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential interplay between the glandular microbiome and scent marking behavior in owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae)

Bowen

Miles

Hegseth

et al. 2021

American J Primatol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In mammals, scent marking behavior is a pervasive form of chemical communication that regulates social interactions within and between groups. Glandular microbiota consist of bacterial communities capable of producing chemical cues used in olfactory communication. Despite countless studies on scent marking in primates, few have examined the microbiota associated with glandular secretions. Nancy Ma's owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae) are nocturnal, socially monogamous primates that frequently scent mark using their subcaudal glands. Previous analyses revealed that unique chemical signatures of Aotus may convey information about sex and age. We used positive reinforcement to sample the subcaudal glands of 23 captive owl monkeys to describe their glandular microbiomes and examine how patterns in these bacterial communities vary with age, sex, rearing environment and/or social group (pair identity). We coupled these analyses with behavioral observations to examine patterns in their scent marking behavior. We isolated 31 bacterial species from Phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, consistent with the dermal and glandular microbiomes of other primates. Several bacterial taxa we identified produce volatile organic compounds, which may contribute to olfactory communication. These bacterial communities are best predicted by an interaction between sex, rearing environment and pair identity rather than any of these variables alone. Within mated pairs of A. nancymaae, males and females scent mark their nest boxes at similar frequencies. In some pairs, rates of scent marking by males and females fluctuated over time in a similar manner. Pairs that had been together longer tended to exhibit the greatest similarities in their rates of scent marking. Together, these findings suggest that scent marking behavior and close social interactions with pair mates in Aotus may influence bacterial transmission and their glandular microbiomes. Chemical communication, including coordinated scent marking, may play a role in strengthening pair bonds, signaling pair status and/or in mate guarding in this socially monogamous primate.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential interplay between the glandular microbiome and scent marking behavior in owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae)

Bowen

Miles

Hegseth

et al. 2021

American J Primatol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Owl monkeys appear to be somewhat reliant upon visual cues given that they adjust their activity levels with available moonlight. Owl monkeys increase their overall activity ( Aotus vociferans , Fernandez‐Duque et al, 2008; A. azarae , Fernandez‐Duque et al, 2010; A. griseimembra , Muñoz‐Delgado et al, 2021) and time spent foraging ( A. azarae , Fernandez‐Duque, 2003) when greater illumination is available under natural full moon conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of auditory, olfactory, and visual cues for insect foraging in owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae)

Breitenbach,

Ambros,

Risko

et al. 2023

American J Primatol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Nocturnal mammals have unique sensory adaptations to facilitate foraging at night. Owl monkeys (Aotus spp.) are pair‐living nocturnal platyrrhines adept at capturing insect prey under low‐light conditions. Owl monkeys use acoustic and chemical cues in intraspecific communication and use olfaction to detect fruit as they forage. We conducted an experiment to determine which cues (auditory, olfactory, and visual) Aotus nancymaae rely upon when foraging for insects. We scored the behavior of 23 captive owl monkeys during a series of trials in which monkeys were provided sensory boxes with insect cues either present (experimental box) or absent (control box). Each cue was tested alone and in combination with all other cues (multimodal cues). We used generalized linear mixed models to determine which cues elicited the greatest behavioral response. Owl monkeys approached and spent more time near experimental boxes than control boxes. Male owl monkeys were quicker than their female partners to approach the sensory boxes, suggesting that males may be less neophobic than females. The owl monkeys exhibited behaviors associated with olfaction and foraging (e.g., sneezing, trilling) during trials with multimodal cues and when only olfactory cues were present. When only visual or auditory cues were present, owl monkeys exhibited fewer foraging‐related behaviors. After approaching a sensory box, however, they often touched boxes containing visual cues. A. nancymaae may rely on olfactory cues at night to detect a food source from several meters away and then rely more on visual cues once they are closer to the food source. Their use of sensory cues during insect foraging differs from nocturnal strepsirrhines, possibly reflecting physiological constraints associated with phylogeny, given that owl monkeys evolved nocturnality secondarily from a more recent diurnal ancestor.

show abstract

Past, Present, and Future Use of Technology for Field Studies of Owl Monkeys

Fernandez-Duque,

Rotundo,

Seltzer

et al. 2023

Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Lunar periodic modulation of the circadian activity rhythm in a wild North Colombian night monkey (Aotus griseimembra)

Cited by 8 publications

References 22 publications

The potential interplay between the glandular microbiome and scent marking behavior in owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae)

The potential interplay between the glandular microbiome and scent marking behavior in owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae)

The importance of auditory, olfactory, and visual cues for insect foraging in owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae)

Past, Present, and Future Use of Technology for Field Studies of Owl Monkeys

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About