Taste preference thresholds for food-associated sugars in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The purpose of this study was to determine taste preference thresholds for four different food-associated sugars in Saimiri sciureus. Using a two-bottle test three male squirrel monkeys were found to significantly prefer 10 mM sucrose, 40 mM fructose, 90 mM glucose, and 100 mM lactose over tap water. Presentation of suprathreshold sugar solutions led to marked concentrationdependent and monotonically increasing polydipsia. The results showed the squirrel monkey to prefer lower sugar concentrations compared to other non-human primates and thus support the assumption that this species may use sweetness as a criterion for food selection.

The role of sucrose and sensory systems in fruit selection and consumption ofAteles geoffroyiin Yucatan, Mexico

“…We found support for such a relationship given that the difference in sucrose concentration between ripe and unripe fruits was associated with the selection and consumption of fruit of six species in the spider monkey. This finding is in line with earlier experimental work in which the spider monkey appeared to specialize in sweetness as a criterion of fruit selection (Laska et al 1996) and prefer sucrose over other sugar solutions of equal molarity (Laska et al 1998). Our results confirm that the detection of sweet substances in fruits is a key factor in their selection (Laska et al 1996), and that sucrose is likely to be an important factor in fruit selection in the spider monkey, despite not being a predominant sugar in many of the fruits it consumes (Riba-Hernández et al 2003).…”

“…This finding is in line with earlier experimental work in which the spider monkey appeared to specialize in sweetness as a criterion of fruit selection (Laska et al 1996) and prefer sucrose over other sugar solutions of equal molarity (Laska et al 1998). Our results confirm that the detection of sweet substances in fruits is a key factor in their selection (Laska et al 1996), and that sucrose is likely to be an important factor in fruit selection in the spider monkey, despite not being a predominant sugar in many of the fruits it consumes (Riba-Hernández et al 2003). Collectively, this evidence points to the proximate mechanisms for fruit selection, whereas the function is the acquisition of nutrients with high-energy impact.…”

“…flying foxes, Megachiroptera, Baker et al 1998, Ko et al 2003, Geoffroy's tailless bat, Anoura geoffroyi, Jamaican fruit bat, Artibeus jamaicensis, little shouldered bat, Sturnira lilium, Herrera 1999, palm civet, Paguma larvata, small Indian civet, Viverricula indica, rhesus monkey, Macaca mulatta, Ko et al 2003). In addition, several species of frugivorous primate are capable of detecting lower concentrations of sucrose relative to glucose or fructose (pygmy marmoset, Cebuella pygmaea, Glaser, 1986; Geoffroy's spider monkey, Ateles geoffroyi, Laska et al 1996; squirrel monkey, Saimiri sciureus, Laska 1996; pigtail macaque, M. nemestrina, hamadryas baboon, Papio papio hamadryas, Laska 2000, Laska et al 1999, and therefore sucrose may serve a role in food selection. 4 Many primates feed on a large variety of plant species (Richard 1985), suggesting that the choice of food depends on the nutritional content and/or degree of toxicity (Barton & Whiten 1994, Chapman et al 2012.…”

“…Therefore, the detection of sugar may directly influence fruit consumption and is likely to be a criterion for the selection of food in spider monkeys (Laska et al 1996). Captive Geoffroy´s spider monkeys have a remarkable sensitivity to sucrose (Laska et al 1996) and are able to discriminate sucrose at lower concentrations than glucose and fructose (Laska et al 1998).…”

“…Therefore, the detection of sugar may directly influence fruit consumption and is likely to be a criterion for the selection of food in spider monkeys (Laska et al 1996). Captive Geoffroy´s spider monkeys have a remarkable sensitivity to sucrose (Laska et al 1996) and are able to discriminate sucrose at lower concentrations than glucose and fructose (Laska et al 1998). However, it could be argued that sucrose does not play an important role in fruit selection by spider monkeys, as it has a lower concentration than either fructose or glucose in most tested fruits (Riba-Hernández et al 2003).…”