Patterns of behaviour, group structure and reproductive status predict levels of glucocorticoid metabolites in zoo-housed ring-tailed lemurs, Lemur catta.

In ring-tailed lemurs, Lemur catta, the factors modulating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity differ between wild and semi-free-ranging populations. Here we assess factors modulating HPA activity in ring-tailed lemurs housed in a third environment: the zoo. First we validate an enzyme immunoassay to quantify levels of glucocorticoid (GC) metabolites in the faeces of L. catta. We determine the nature of the female-female dominance hierarchies within each group by computing David’s scores and examining these in relation to faecal GC (fGC). Relationships between female age and fGC are assessed to evaluate potential age-related confounds. The associations between fGC, numbers of males in a group and reproductive status are explored. Finally, we investigate the value of 7 behaviours in predicting levels of fGC. The study revealed stable linear dominance hierarchies in females within each group. The number of males in a social group together with reproductive status, but not age, influenced fGC. The 7 behavioural variables accounted for 68% of the variance in fGC. The amounts of time an animal spent locomoting and in the inside enclosure were both negative predictors of fGC. The study highlights the flexibility and adaptability of the HPA system in ring-tailed lemurs.

Citation

Smith, T. E., McCusker, C., Stevens, J. M. G., & Elwood, R. W. (2016). Patterns of behaviour, group structure and reproductive status predict levels of glucocorticoid metabolites in zoo-housed ring-tailed lemurs, Lemur catta. Folia Primatologica, 86, 506-24. DOI: 10.1159/000442587

Publisher

Karger Publishers

Journal

Folia Primatologica

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10034/620379

DOI

10.1159/000442587

Type

Article

Language

en

Description

This is the peer-reviewed but unedited manuscript version of the following article: Smith, T. E., McCusker, C., Stevens, J. M. G., & Elwood, R. W. (2016). Patterns of behaviour, group structure and reproductive status predict levels of glucocorticoid metabolites in zoo-housed ring-tailed lemurs, Lemur catta. Folia Primatologica, 86, 506-24. DOI: 10.1159/000442587. The final, published version is available at http://www.karger.com/?doi=10.1159/000442587.

ISSN

0015-5713

EISSN

1421-9980