Project title: Physiological and behavioral analyses of captive black lion-tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysopygus): an evaluation of stress level

 

Abstract: The black-lion-tamarin is an endangered species. Thus, the management of these populations in situ and ex situ, as well as the study of the ecology, physiology and behavior of this species are extremely important to its viability in the next few years. Inadequate environments both in situ (e.g: habitat alteration), and ex situ (e.g: lack of structures in enclosures) may act as stressors to animals, resulting in an increase of the stress hormone levels likely to affect the viability of the species population. Many factors are likely to influence the levels of these stress hormones in the individuals. For this reason, a previous study in captivity is required, to make possible the study of possible stressors in the wild. As a result, the study of stress in captive animals can help to solve problems in the wild as well as to improve the well-being and the health of captive populations. Our main objectives are the following: provide basic data needed to the study of stress in black-lion-tamarins ex situ and in situ; determine the potential stressors for two captive populations of black-lion-tamarins, and determine whether the levels of MFGs (metabolites of stress hormones in feces) relate to the individuals’ behavioral repertoire. We will first perform a behavioral challenge to validate the experimental protocol of extraction and dosage of MFGs. Secondly, feces will be collected to assess the circadian and circanual variation of MFGs and to check possible differences according to sex and age. Thirdly, we will collect behavioral data through the scan sampling method accompanied by fecal data collection of individuals to relate the hormonal profile to the behavioral profile. In addition, we will test the effect of visitation by collecting behavioral data of the visitors. All these data will be collected in the Ecological Park of São Carlos and the Primate Center of Rio de Janeiro (CPRJ) with individuals with and without contact with the public. Fecal samples will be extracted and assayed by enzyme – immunoassay in the Behavioral Endocrinology Laboratory of USP. We expect to find higher levels of stress hormones in adult females and during the morning. It is also expected that the presence and number of visitors would increase the levels of these hormones. Finally, we hypothesize that high frequencies of stereotyped behaviors will be associated with high MFGs levels.

 

Key words: captive, fecal metabolites of glucocorticoids, animal behaviour, stereotypes, visitation effect, Black Lion tamarin.

 

 

 

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