Associations between fecal cortisol and biparental care in a pair‐living primate
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: We quantified variation in fecal cortisol across reproductive periods in Azara's owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) to examine physiological mechanisms that may facilitate biparental care. Specifically, we evaluated evidence for the explanation that owl monkeys have hormonal mechanisms to mobilize energy during periods when each sex is investing heavily in reproduction, that is, the gestation period for females and the infant care period for males. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2011 and 2015, we monitored 10 groups of Azara's owl monkeys from a wild population in Formosa, Argentina and collected fecal samples from 26 adults (13 males, 13 females). Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, we quantified fecal cortisol as a proxy for evaluating stress responses, including energetic demands, on both sexes during periods of reproduction and parental care. RESULTS: Male cortisol was lowest during periods when they were caring for young infants (<3 months) compared with periods with older infants or no infant. Female cortisol was elevated during gestation compared with other periods. Mean fecal cortisol in both males and females was lower when an infant was present compared with when females were gestating. DISCUSSION: Our results do not support the hypothesis that owl monkey males have elevated fecal cortisol during periods when they need to mobilize energy to provide intensive infant care. Our findings are also inconsistent with the Maternal Relief hypothesis. However, results from studies measuring fecal cortisol must be interpreted with care and alternative explanations, such as seasonal fluctuations in diet and thermoenergic demands, should be considered when drawing conclusions.
DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24368
Institutions: Yale University, Musée de l'Homme, National University of Formosa
Language: English
Topic: Primate Behavior and Ecology
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: RAPID Twinning in Monogamous Owl Monkeys of the Argentinean Chaco: Developmental and Behavioral Consequences, G1379655425, G1389022932, Doctoral Dissertation Research: Leaving home: genetic, endocrine, and behavioral correlates of dispersal in monogamous monkeys, G173820591, G184637345, G1898566834, Life-history and behavioral consequences of competition between solitary and pair-bonded primate conspecifics, Population Science Research Center, Center on the Demography and Economics of Aging, G519727925, Social Monogamy in Free-ranging Owl Monkeys (Aotus azarai azarai) of Argentina, Costs and Benefits of Biparental Care in Monogamous Owl Monkeys, Costs and Benefits of Biparental Care in Monogamous Owl Monkeys
OpenAlex ID: W3179735450