Social buffering of stress – Physiological and ethological perspectives

Wu, Alexandra

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105325

Cited by 16 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 140 publications

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“…Our findings showed small but interesting correlations between height and the number of multiparous females and age mates within a core group. A previous study found similar relationships between faecal glucocorticoids (stress) and social conditions, notably that social buffering from age mates may reduce stress in wild African elephants ( Parker et al , 2022 ), which could foster growth ( Wu, 2021 ). However, the effect of adult females on the stress response was uncertain ( Parker et al , 2022 ), and our results here suggest the presence of more adult females marginally reduces growth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…Secondly, increased stress resulting from both the experience of losing a mother and the absence of her care could stunt growth. Reduced body mass and stress are known correlates ( Dickens and Romero, 2013 ; Wu, 2021 ); the release of glucocorticoids during stress diverts energy away from nonurgent uses like growth ( Sapolsky, 2004 ), and elevated glucocorticoid levels have been associated with lower levels of growth hormones and their binding proteins ( Gabbitas et al , 1996 ; Bernstein, 2010 ). Previous study suggests orphans do not sustain higher levels of stress hormones ≥2 years after their mother’s death ( Parker et al , 2022 ), but if there are short-term alterations that may affect growth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Orphaning stunts growth in wild African elephants

Parker

Wittemyer

2022

Conservation Physiology

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Orphans of several species suffer social and physiological consequences such as receiving more aggression from conspecifics and lower survival. One physiological consequence of orphaning, stunted growth, has been identified in both humans and chimpanzees, but has not been assessed in a non-primate species. Here, we tested whether wild African elephant orphans show evidence of stunted growth. We measured individually known female elephants in the Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves of Kenya, with a rangefinder capable of calculating height, to estimate a von Bertalanffy growth curve for female elephants of the study population. We then compared measurements of known orphans and non-orphans of various ages, using a Bayesian analysis to assess variation around the derived growth curve. We found that orphans are shorter for their age than non-orphans. However, results suggest orphans may partially compensate for stunting through later growth, as orphans who had spent a longer time without their mother had heights more similar to non-orphans. More age mates in an individual’s family were associated with taller height, suggesting social support from peers may contribute to increased growth. Conversely, more adult females in an individual’s family were associated with shorter height, suggesting within-group competition for resources with older individuals may reduce juvenile growth. Finally, we found a counterintuitive result that less rainfall in the first 6 years of life was correlated with taller height, potentially reflecting the unavoidable bias of measuring individuals who were fit enough to survive conditions of low rainfall as young calves. Reduced growth of individuals has been shown to reduce survival and reproduction in other species. As such, stunting in wildlife orphans may negatively affect fitness and represents an indirect effect of ivory poaching on African elephants.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Orphaning stunts growth in wild African elephants

Parker

Wittemyer

2022

Conservation Physiology

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“…It is possible that, at a proximate level, increased proximity between group members is driven by a stress reduction mechanism. Indeed, studies show that close inter‐individual proximity may have a calming effect because affiliative interactions activate hormones, such as oxytocin and vasopressin (Platt et al, 2016; Wu, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mountain gorillas benefit from social distancing too: Close proximity from tourists affects gorillas' sociality

Costa

Romano

Pereira

et al. 2022

Conservat Sci and Prac

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Gorilla tourism supports the protection of its ecosystem, benefiting humans and wildlife populations living therein. Assessing to what degree the presence and proximity of tourists affect wildlife aids long‐term benefits. Because wild animals might see human activities as stressors, we hypothesized that the increased presence and proximity of tourists leads to immediate changes in gorilla social cohesion. We constructed social networks from association rates before, during, and after tourist visits, and when tourists were very close (≤3 m) or close (>3 m) to them. Our analysis focused on this distance threshold (≤3 m and >3 m) because the 7 m rule, enforced by the national park, was violated 84% of the time. We showed that gorillas spent more time in closer association after tourists arrived and when tourists were <3 m away from gorillas. Immediate changes were detected in the number of individuals close to each other, the time they spent together and the distance of an individual to all others, indicating that gorillas might increase social cohesion because they perceive tourists as a risk. These results highlight the need to enforce the tourism guidelines (maximum of eight people per group, including park staff; minimum distance of 7 m) to ensure the sustainable success of gorilla tourism.

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“…tudies have shown that supportive relationships with other members of the same species diminish an individual's stress response. This phenomenon is referred to as "social buffering" 1,2 . When a vertebrate is confronted with a stressor, the adrenal glands release more glucocorticoid (GC) hormones into the bloodstream.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, strong bonds with other males lessened GC release in wild male macaques (Macaca sylvanus) 3 , and the presence of a familiar companion lessened GC release following exposure to a stressor in captive male squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) 4 . While most studies of social buffering have concerned primates and laboratory rodents, it has been observed in additional taxa including fish and birds 1 .…”

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confidence: 99%

Social support correlates with glucocorticoid concentrations in wild African elephant orphans

et al. 2022

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Social relationships have physiological impacts. Here, we investigate whether loss of the mother/offspring relationship has lasting effects on fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations in wild African elephant orphans several years following their mothers’ deaths. We find no difference in fGCM concentrations between orphans and nonorphans, but find lower fGCM concentrations in elephants with more age mates in their family. We also unexpectedly identify lower concentrations in orphans without their natal family versus nonorphans and natal orphans, which we speculate may be due to the development of hypocortisolism following a prolonged period without familial support. An index of plant productivity (i.e. food) shows the largest correlation with fGCM concentrations. Our findings indicate no lasting differences in glucocorticoid concentrations of surviving orphan elephants who are with their family, suggest the presence of age mates may reduce glucocorticoid concentrations in elephants, and emphasize that basic survival needs are the primary regulators of the stress response.

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Social buffering of stress – Physiological and ethological perspectives

Cited by 16 publications

References 140 publications

Orphaning stunts growth in wild African elephants

Orphaning stunts growth in wild African elephants

Mountain gorillas benefit from social distancing too: Close proximity from tourists affects gorillas' sociality

Social support correlates with glucocorticoid concentrations in wild African elephant orphans

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