Potential self-medication by brown titi monkeys, Plecturocebus brunneus, in an urban fragment forest in the Brazilian Amazon.

Brenda Letícia Pereira Oliveira,Marcela Alvares Oliveira,João Pedro Souza-Alves

doi:10.5194/pb-7-35-2020

Brenda Letícia Pereira Oliveira, Marcela Alvares Oliveira + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5194/pb-7-35-2020

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Abstract

In this study, we report fur-rubbing behavior of brown titi monkeys, Plecturocebus brunneus, using chewed leaves from (Fabaceae) and Piper tuberculatum (Piperaceae). These reports were obtained during systematic monitoring of titi monkeys from May until December 2019 (218 h) in an urban fragment forest in the Brazilian Amazon. Both plant species contain chemical substances in their leaves that potentially repel ectoparasites. The genus Piper is known for its repelling action due to the presence of amides, alkaloids and benzoic acid. The presence of dogs, cats and human settlements may contribute to an increase of ectoparasites, making a potential self-medication function of fur rubbing in this primate species plausible.

Highlights

The fur-rubbing or self-anointing behavior from different plant parts and insects is relatively well documented in wild and captive Neotropical primates
At no time did titi monkeys rub their bodies on tree branches or against the body of group members after chewing the leaves
We described the fur-rubbing behavior in a poorly studied species of titi monkey, Plecturocebus brunneus, in an urban Amazonian fragment forest in Brazil

Summary

Introduction

The fur-rubbing or self-anointing behavior from different plant parts and insects is relatively well documented in wild and captive Neotropical primates. Overall, this behavior may be associated with several functions such as repelling or killing of ectoparasites and microbial pathogens (selfmedication), and scent marking (olfactory communication) (Huffman et al, 2013; Martinez et al, 2019). Arthropods are used often, as for example millipedes can secrete caustic benzoquinones that work quickly on the fur and body of primates and are repellent to insects (Valderrama et al, 2000) Such actions tend to increase in frequency during the rainy period when the risks of insect bites and infections are higher (Huffman, 1997)

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