Owl Monkeys (Aotus spp.) Self-Anoint with Plants and Millipedes

Zito, Michael; Evans, Siân; Weldon, Paul J.

doi:10.1159/000070649

Cited by 55 publications

(38 citation statements)

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“…Therefore, it is plausible to assume that the fur-rubbing with P. aduncum leaves observed in C. oenanthe functions as a topical selfmedication, as suggested for several other primate species. Wild capuchin monkeys, Cebus capucinus, and captive owl monkeys, Aotus spp., have been reported to use leaves from Piper marginatum for fur-rubbing (Baker, 1996;Zito et al, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fur-rubbing withPiperleaves in the San Martín titi monkey,Callicebus oenanthe

Huashuayo-Llamocca¹,

Heymann²

2017

Primate Biol.

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Abstract. We report observations on fur-rubbing with leaves from Piper aduncum by a San Martín titi monkey, Callicebus oenanthe. Fur-rubbing occurred during the transition from the dry to the rainy season in a titi monkey group living in a forest fragment in the Moyobamba region of Peru. Since Piper leaves include very potent compounds that may affect ectoparasites, we tentatively interpret the observed fur-rubbing as self-medication.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fur-rubbing withPiperleaves in the San Martín titi monkey,Callicebus oenanthe

Huashuayo-Llamocca¹,

Heymann²

2017

Primate Biol.

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“…This striking anointing behavior was not known to be performed by owl monkeys ( Aotus spp.) until Zito et al [2003] documented this finding over a decade ago. Similarly, other mammals such as European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) [D'Havé et al, 2005], Siberian chipmunks (Tamius sibiricus) [Kobayashi and Watanabe, 1981] as well as various primates -e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…are more selective, using primarily insects such as Formicidae and carpenter ants, wasps, millipedes and stinkbugs as well as mud and quartz powder [for a full review of anointing materials in each genus, see Lynch Alfaro et al, 2012]. Like capuchins, owl monkeys have been observed to use onion, garlic, live millipedes, millipede-produced benzoquinones and Piper leaf extract during anointing [Zito et al, 2003]. Owl monkeys have also been reported to use cinnamon, chives and moths (S. Evans, pers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Owl Monkeys (Aotus spp.) Perform Self- and Social Anointing in Captivity

Jefferson¹,

Tapanes²,

Evans³

2014

IJFP

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Several species of primates, including owl monkeys (Aotus spp.), anoint by rubbing their fur with odiferous substances. Previous research has shown that capuchin monkeys (Cebus and Sapajus) anoint socially by rubbing their bodies together in groups of two or more while anointing. Owl monkeys housed at the DuMond Conservancy have been observed to anoint over the last 10 years, and we report detailed new information on the anointing behavior of this population, including descriptions of social anointing which occurs frequently. We first investigated the occurrence of self-anointing in 35 Aotus spp. presented with millipedes. Detailed descriptions regarding body regions anointed were obtained for all anointers (n = 28). The median duration for a self-anointing bout was 3.6 min (range from approx. 2 s to 14.15 min). While the latency and length of anointing bouts showed considerable interindividual differences, no statistically significant differences were found between sexes, wild- or captive-born owl monkeys or across age groups. However, we found the lower back and tail were anointed at a rate significantly greater than other body parts, but there were no differences in these patterns across sex or wild- or captive-born owl monkeys. More recently, social anointing was investigated in 26 Aotus spp. presented with millipedes, of which half were observed to anoint socially. The average duration for all social anointing bouts was 72.88 s, with a median duration of 30 s (range 5-322 s). A detailed ethogram was also generated that included behaviors that were performed while anointing, including facial expressions and vocalizations. The intraindividual variability for 8 monkeys used in both investigations is discussed. These findings extend our knowledge of anointing and confirm the existence of social anointing in another genus with a unique biology (nocturnal and socially monogamous) distinct from capuchins.

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“…For these reasons, various mammals and birds self-anoint with certain millipedes, i.e., roll on or rub themselves with the secretions of these creatures, a behavior believed to have evolved in order to keep ectoparasites away from their integument [53,242,243]. Support for this theory is the strong deterrent effect of millipedes' secretions on mosquitoes [53].…”

Section: Millipede-derived Antibioticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the global animal biodiversity in the search for new drugs – Spiders, scorpions, horseshoe crabs, sea spiders, centipedes, and millipedes

Mans¹

2017

J Transl Sci

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Drug discovery and development programs have historically mainly focused on plants with medicinal properties and the extensive knowledge of traditional healers about these plants. More recently, the vast array of marine invertebrates and insects throughout the world have been recognized as additional sources for identifying unusual lead compounds to obtain structurally novel and mechanistically unique therapeutics. The results from these efforts are encouraging and have yielded a number of clinically useful drugs. However, many arthropods other than insects -such as spiders, scorpions, horseshoe crabs, sea spiders, centipedes, and millipedes -also produce hundreds of bioactive substances in their venom that may become useful in the clinic. Many of these chemicals are defensive and predatory weapons of these creatures and have been refined during millions of years of evolution to rapidly and with high specificity and high affinity shut down critical molecular targets in prey and predators. Exploration of these compounds may lead to the development of, among others, novel drugs for treating diseases caused by abnormalities in humans in the same (evolutionary conserved) molecular targets such as erectyle dysfunction, botulism, and autoimmune disorders, as well as the identification of novel antineoplastic, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic compounds. This paper addresses the importance of bioactive compounds from spiders, scorpions, horseshoe crabs, sea spiders, centipedes, and millipedes to these advances.

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Owl Monkeys (Aotus spp.) Self-Anoint with Plants and Millipedes

Cited by 55 publications

References 5 publications

Fur-rubbing withPiperleaves in the San Martín titi monkey,Callicebus oenanthe

Fur-rubbing withPiperleaves in the San Martín titi monkey,Callicebus oenanthe

Owl Monkeys (Aotus spp.) Perform Self- and Social Anointing in Captivity

Exploring the global animal biodiversity in the search for new drugs – Spiders, scorpions, horseshoe crabs, sea spiders, centipedes, and millipedes

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Owl Monkeys (Aotus spp.) Self-Anoint with Plants and Millipedes

Cited by 55 publications

References 5 publications

Fur-rubbing withPiperleaves in the San Mart&#237;n titi monkey,Callicebus oenanthe

Fur-rubbing withPiperleaves in the San Mart&#237;n titi monkey,Callicebus oenanthe

Owl Monkeys (Aotus spp.) Perform Self- and Social Anointing in Captivity

Exploring the global animal biodiversity in the search for new drugs – Spiders, scorpions, horseshoe crabs, sea spiders, centipedes, and millipedes

Contact Info

Product

Resources

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Fur-rubbing withPiperleaves in the San Martín titi monkey,Callicebus oenanthe

Fur-rubbing withPiperleaves in the San Martín titi monkey,Callicebus oenanthe