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Cox E, Collins-Pisano C, Montgomery L, Katz JS. A comparative evaluation of the role of olfaction in attachment. Anim Cogn 2024; 27:54. [PMID: 39080076 PMCID: PMC11289241 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-024-01891-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Olfactory information plays an important role in the attachment and bonding processes for both humans and non-human animals. Odor cues obtained via individual body odor facilitate attachment and bonding processes across species with regard to both mate selection and mother-infant bonding. The purpose of the present paper is to summarize the role of odor as it pertains to bond formation and maintenance in the mother-infant bond for human infants and non-human animal infants, and for mate selection among human adults and non-human animals. We then synthesize this summary with literature on attachment and existing evidence for the relationships between olfaction and attachment processes. Finally, we suggest avenues for areas of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Cox
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, 226 Thach Hall, AL, 36849, USA.
| | | | - Lane Montgomery
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, 226 Thach Hall, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Katz
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, 226 Thach Hall, AL, 36849, USA
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2
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Baxter A, Lau AR, Savidge LE, Bales KL. Initial compatibility during a "Speed-Dating" test predicts postpairing affiliation in titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus). Am J Primatol 2023; 85:e23496. [PMID: 37101314 PMCID: PMC10560403 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral compatibility plays a critical role in shaping how potential mates interact with and evaluate each other and whether they choose to pursue a relationship. Compatibility is especially important for mate choice and relationship quality in pair-bonding species that form long-term attachments between mates. Although this process has been studied in humans and birds, relatively few studies have investigated it in non-human primates. In this study, we investigated whether pairing titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus) based on initial compatibility increased postpairing affiliation between mates. Subjects were 12 unpaired adult titi monkeys (two cohorts of three males and three females). We determined each subject's initial interest in each opposite-sex potential mate in their cohort across a series of six 30-min interaction periods (i.e., "speed-dates"). To determine initial compatibility, we used the Social Relations Model to calculate relationship effects in initial interest (how much each subject uniquely preferred each potential mate beyond their own affiliative disposition and their partner's popularity). We then paired monkeys in a way that maximized net relationship effects between pairs, and measured longitudinal pair affiliation (Proximity, Contact, Tail Twining, and Combined Affiliation) for 6 months postpairing using daily scan-sample observations and monthly home-cage video recordings. Multilevel models showed that, on average, the six speed-dating pairs exhibited higher levels of Tail Twining (determined from scan-sample observations; β = 0.31) compared to a group of 13 age-matched colony pairs that were determined quasi-randomly without quantifying compatibility. The degree of initial compatibility within speed-dating pairs also predicted higher levels of Combined Affiliation (determined from video recordings) at earlier post-pairing time points, with the association peaking at 2 months postpairing (β = 0.57). These findings suggest that initial compatibility facilitates pair bonding in titi monkeys. We conclude by discussing how the speed-dating design can be used for colony management to inform pair-housing decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Baxter
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis
- California National Primate Research Center
| | - Allison R. Lau
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis
- California National Primate Research Center
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis
| | - Logan E. Savidge
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis
- California National Primate Research Center
| | - Karen L. Bales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis
- California National Primate Research Center
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis
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3
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Baxter A, Karaskiewicz CL, Campbell LA, Kinnally EL, Ferrer E, Seelke AHM, Freeman SM, Bales KL. Parental experience is linked with lower vasopressin receptor 1a binding and decreased postpartum androgens in titi monkeys. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13304. [PMID: 37267441 PMCID: PMC10521943 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Parenting induces many neurological and behavioral changes that enable parents to rear offspring. Vasopressin plays an important role in this process via its effects on cognition, affect, and neuroplasticity, and in some cases, via interactions with decreased parental androgens. Thus far, the role of these hormones has been primarily studied in rodents. To address this gap, we explored vasopressin receptors and androgens in titi monkeys, a pair-bonding and biparental primate species. In Studies 1 and 2, we used receptor autoradiography to correlate arginine vasopressin receptor 1a (AVPR1a) binding in the hippocampus (Study 1, n = 10) and the rest of the forebrain (Study 2, n = 23) with parental status, parental experience, parity, infant carrying, and pair affiliation. We found that parents exhibited lower AVPR1a binding than non-parents throughout most brain regions assessed, with especially strong effects in the hippocampus (β = -.61), superior colliculus (β = -.88), lateral septum (β = -.35), and medial preoptic area (β = -.29). The other measures of parental experience also tended to be negatively associated with AVPR1a binding across different brain regions. In Study 3 (n = 44), we compared pre- and postpartum urinary androgen levels in parents and non-parents and found that mothers exhibited a sustained androgen decrease across 3-4 months postpartum (relative to 3 months prepartum; β ranged from -.72 to -.62 for different comparisons). For males, we found that multiparous fathers exhibited decreased androgen levels at 1-2 weeks postpartum (β = -.25) and at 3-4 months postpartum (β = -.40) compared to the prepartum, indicating both immediate and long-term reductions with subsequent paternal experience. Together, the results of this study suggest that decreases in AVPR1a binding and circulating androgens are associated with parental behavior and physiology in titi monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Baxter
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis
- California National Primate Research Center
| | - Chloe L. Karaskiewicz
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis
- California National Primate Research Center
| | - Lindsey A. Campbell
- California National Primate Research Center
- Department of Animal Biology, University of California, Davis
| | - Erin L. Kinnally
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis
- California National Primate Research Center
| | - Emilio Ferrer
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis
| | - Adele H. M. Seelke
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis
- California National Primate Research Center
| | - Sara M. Freeman
- California National Primate Research Center
- Utah State University, Department of Biology
| | - Karen L. Bales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis
- California National Primate Research Center
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis
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4
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Lau AR, Cunningham AD, Bales KL. Pairing status and stimulus type predict responses to audio playbacks in female titi monkeys. Front Ecol Evol 2023; 11:1145205. [PMID: 38584610 PMCID: PMC10997360 DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1145205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Some paired primates use complex, coordinated vocal signals to communicate within and between family groups. The information encoded within those signals is not well understood, nor is the intricacy of individuals' behavioral and physiological responses to these signals. Considering the conspicuous nature of these vocal signals, it is a priority to better understand paired primates' responses to conspecific calls. Pair-bonded titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus) sing duets comprised of the male and female's long call. Here, we use a playback study to assess female titi monkeys' responses to different vocal stimuli based on the subject's pairing status. Six adult female titi monkeys participated in the study at two timepoints--pre-pairing and post-pairing. At each timepoint, subjects underwent three distinct playbacks--control recording, male solo vocalization, and pair duet. Behaviors such as locomotion and vocalizations were scored during and after the playback, and cortisol and androgen values were assessed via a plasma blood sample. Female titi monkeys attended more to social signals compared to the control, regardless of pairing status. However, in the time immediately following any playback type, female titi monkeys trilled more and spent a greater proportion of time locomoting during pre-pairing timepoints (compared to post-pairing). Female titi monkeys' behavioral responses to social audio stimuli, combined with subjects' increases in cortisol and androgens as paired individuals, imply female titi monkeys attend and respond to social signals territorially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison R. Lau
- Graduate Group in Animal Behavior, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Ashley D. Cunningham
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Karen L. Bales
- Graduate Group in Animal Behavior, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
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5
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Berthet M, Mesbahi G, Cäsar C, Zuberbühler K. Impact of predator model presentation paradigms on titi monkey alarm sequences. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022; 76:143. [PMID: 36203497 PMCID: PMC9527189 DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03250-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Predator presentation experiments are widely used to investigate animal alarm vocalizations. They usually involve presentations of predator models or playbacks of predator calls, but it remains unclear whether the two paradigms provide similar results, a major limitation when investigating animal syntactic and semantic capacities. Here, we investigate whether visual and acoustic predator cues elicit different vocal reactions in black-fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons). We exposed six groups of wild titi monkeys to visual models or playbacks of vocalizations of raptor or felid. We characterized each group’s vocal reactions using sequence parameters known to reliably encode predatory events in this species. We found that titi monkeys’ vocal reactions varied with the predator species but also with the experimental paradigm: while vocal reactions to raptor vocalizations and models were similar, felid vocalizations elicited heterogeneous, different reactions from that given to felid models. We argue that subjects are not familiar with felid vocalizations, because of a lack of learning opportunities due to the silent behaviour of felids. We discuss the implication of these findings for the semantic capacities of titi monkeys. We finally recommend that playbacks of predator vocalizations should not be used in isolation but in combination with visual model presentations, to allow fine-grained analyses of the communication system of prey species. Significance statement It is common to present prey species with predator models or predator calls to study their vocal reactions. The two paradigms are often used independently, but it remains unclear whether they provide similar results. Here, we studied the vocal reactions of titi monkeys to calls and models of raptors and felids. We show that titi monkeys seem to recognize the vocalizations of raptors but not those of felids. The study of the vocal reactions emitted when titi monkeys cannot clearly identify the threat allows us to draw accurate hypotheses about the meaning of titi monkeys’ alarm utterances. We argue that playbacks of predator calls should be used in conjunction with model presentations, which can allow us to better investigate the information and the structure of the alarm systems. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00265-022-03250-1.
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Conley AJ, Berger T, Del Razo RA, Cotterman RF, Sahagún E, Goetze LR, Jacob S, Weinstein TAR, Dufek ME, Mendoza SP, Bales KL. The onset of puberty in colony-housed male and female titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus): Possible effects of oxytocin treatment during peri-adolescent development. Horm Behav 2022; 142:105157. [PMID: 35338890 PMCID: PMC9250660 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin has been used to treat neurodevelopmental conditions in adolescent patients but possible effects on reproductive development have not been well investigated. The effects of daily intra-nasal oxytocin treatment (12-18 months of age) on puberty and fertility were studied in colony-housed, male and female titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus). Body weight, urinary conjugated pregnanes and estrogens (defining cyclicity) in females, and androgens and sperm in urine of in males, were measured from 1 to 3 years of age to detect puberty. Serum testosterone was also measured in males at 13, 23 and 33 months of age and hemi-castration at 3 years of age enabled assessment of testicular morphometry and oxytocin receptor expression. An oxytocin treatment*time interaction suggested a minor, transient suppression in weight gain after treatment ended. Note that females weighed 10% less across all ages. Oxytocin-treated females exhibited early, spurious ovulations but neither regular cyclicity (≈30 months) nor pregnancies were affected by treatment. Oxytocin did not affect the pubertal increase in urinary androgen or the first appearance of sperm, which occurred as early as 15 months of age. Treatment did delay the puberty-associated rise in serum testosterone in males. All males were pubertal by 22 months and all females by 32 months of age. Although no major male or female fertility outcome was observed, oxytocin demonstrated some physiological effects through a delay of testosterone secretion in males, induction of precocious ovulation in females, and a suppression of general weight gain for the months following treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Conley
- Department of Population Health & Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America.
| | - T Berger
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - R Arias Del Razo
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - R F Cotterman
- Department of Population Health & Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - E Sahagún
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - L R Goetze
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - S Jacob
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - T A R Weinstein
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - M E Dufek
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - S P Mendoza
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - K L Bales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America; Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America.
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7
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Karaskiewicz CL, Witczak LR, Lau AR, Dufek ME, Bales KL. Parenting costs time: Changes in pair bond maintenance across pregnancy and infant rearing in a monogamous primate (Plecturocebus cupreus). New Dir Child Adolesc Dev 2021; 2021:21-42. [PMID: 34766710 DOI: 10.1002/cad.20438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Relationships support social animals' health, but maintaining relationships is challenging. When transitioning to parenthood, new parents balance pair-bond maintenance with infant care. We studied pair-bond maintenance via affiliation in 22 adult titi monkey pairs (Plecturocebus cupreus) for 16 months centered around their first offspring's birth. Pair affiliation peaked during pregnancy, decreased across the postpartum period, and rose after reaching minimum affiliation 32.6 weeks postpartum. Pairs in which fathers carry infants more than average had lower affiliation at the infant's birth and return to an increase in affiliation sooner. Parents of infants who were slow to independence had higher rates of affiliation. Titi monkey infants actively prefer their fathers; mothers may avoid their infant-carrying mate, suggesting infants play an active role in parental affiliative decline. Our data supports previous findings that affiliation between partners declines following an infant's birth, but demonstrates new knowledge about the extent and duration of affiliative decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe L Karaskiewicz
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA.,California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Lynea R Witczak
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA.,California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Allison R Lau
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Madison E Dufek
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Karen L Bales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA.,California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
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8
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Berthet M, Mesbahi G, Duvot G, Zuberbühler K, Cäsar C, Bicca-Marques JC. Dramatic decline in a titi monkey population after the 2016-2018 sylvatic yellow fever outbreak in Brazil. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23335. [PMID: 34609763 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Platyrrhini are highly vulnerable to the yellow fever (YF) virus. From 2016 to 2018, the Atlantic Forest of southeast Brazil faced its worst sylvatic YF outbreak in about a century, thought to have killed thousands of primates. It is essential to assess the impact of this epidemic on threatened primate assemblages to design effective conservation strategies. In this study, we assessed the impact of the 2016-2018 YF outbreak on a geographically isolated population of Near Threatened black-fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons) in two Atlantic Forest patches of the Santuário do Caraça, MG, Brazil. Extensive preoutbreak monitoring, conducted between 2008 and 2016, revealed that the home range and group sizes of the population remained stable. In 2016, the population size was estimated at 53-57 individuals in 11-12 groups. We conducted monitoring and playback surveys in 2019 and found that the population had decreased by 68% in one forest patch and completely vanished in the other, resulting in a combined decline of 80%. We discuss this severe loss of a previously stable population and conclude that it was highly likely caused by the YF outbreak. The remaining population is at risk of disappearing completely because of its small size and geographic isolation. A systematic population surveys of C. nigrifrons, along other sensible Platyrrhini species, is needed to re-evaluate their current conservation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélissa Berthet
- Département d'études cognitives, Institut Jean Nicod, ENS, EHESS, CNRS, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Geoffrey Mesbahi
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, LAE, Nancy, France.,Parc Naturel Régional des Vosges du Nord, La Petite Pierre, France
| | - Guilhem Duvot
- Département d'études cognitives, Institut Jean Nicod, ENS, EHESS, CNRS, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Klaus Zuberbühler
- School of Psychology & Neurosciences, University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK.,Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | | | - Júlio Cèsar Bicca-Marques
- Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Laboratório de Primatologia, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Miller CM, Snyder-Mackler N, Nguyen N, Fashing PJ, Tung J, Wroblewski EE, Gustison ML, Wilson ML. Extragroup paternity in gelada monkeys, Theropithecus gelada, at Guassa, Ethiopia and a comparison with other primates. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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