Self-anointing behaviour in captive titi monkeys (<i>Callicebus</i> spp.)

oleh: J. P. Souza-Alves, N. M. Albuquerque, L. Vinhas, T. S. Cardoso, R. Beltrão-Mendes, L. Jerusalinsky

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: Copernicus Publications 2018-01-01

Deskripsi

Self-anointing behaviour using <i>Bauhinia</i> sp. was reported in two captive titi monkeys (<i>Callicebus coimbrai</i> and <i>Callicebus barbarabrownae</i>). The study was carried out from October 2013 to May 2014 during an experimental study investigating the gut passage time of these individuals at the Getúlio Vargas Zoobotanical Park, north-eastern Brazil. Although leaves, petioles and flowers of <i>Bauhinia</i> contain chemical substances that could affect the presence of ectoparasites, it is unclear if titi monkeys demonstrate self-anointing behaviour as a method of self-medication. However, due to the presence of large glands in <i>C. coimbrai</i> and <i>C. barbarabrownae</i> chests, and the high frequency of occurrence observed for the adult male, we cautiously suggest that the use of <i>Bauhinia</i> may be linked to olfactory communication.