Responses by Red-Bellied Tamarins (Saguinus labiatus) to Fecal Scents of Predatory and Non-predatory Neotropical Mammals

Abstract

Adult and subadult red-bellied tamarins (Saguinus labiatus) were tested for responses to the odors of predatory and non-predatory neotropical mammals. Methylene chloride extracts of the feces of the jaguar (Panthera onca), margay (Fel/s wiedi), jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), tapir (Tapirus terrestris), paca (Cuniculus paca), and agouti (Dasyprocta fuliginosa) were presented to tamarins on wooden dowels in their enclosures. Untreated dowels and dowels treated with methylene chloride served as controls. Chemicals from predators elicited more sniffing and avoidance than did those of the non-predators or controls. The tamarins gave alarm calls to margay scent, a response not observed with the other extracts. The responses to predator chemicals were exhibited by captive-born individuals, suggesting that experience with a predator is not necessary for tamarins to distinguish between the fecal scents of predatory and non-predatory species. TAMARINS AND MARMOSETS (PRIMATES: CALLITRICHIDAE) are preyed upon by neotropical birds, snakes, and mammals (e.g., Moynihan 1976, Terborgh 1983, Goldizen 1986, Emmons 1987). These primates display a number of behavior patterns thought to have antipredator functions. For example, at least three different alarm calls, given in response to stuffed owls, unfamiliar humans, and objects moved overhead, have been identified in captive saddleback tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis) (Moody & Menzel 1976). Similarly, the cotton-top tamarin (S. oedipus) emits different alarm calls to aerial and terrestrial predators (Neyman 1977). The Panamanian tamarin (S. oedipusgeoffroyi) becomes quiet and vigilant prior to retirement each evening (Dawson 1979), a response that may, in part, reduce vulnerability to nocturnal and crepuscular predators. The golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) may sleep in tree holes to avoid predators (Coimbra-Filho 1977). Responses to predators by captive red-bellied tamarins (S. labiatus) include alarm calls, mobbing, and visual watchfulness (Coates & Poole 1983; Caine 1984, 1986, 1987). This arboreal species lives in the forests of Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia and eats primarily fruit, insects, and some vegetable matter (Hershkovitz 1977). Red-bellied tamarins, like all tamarins, live in groups consisting of two or more breeding adults (300-575 g) and one or more generations of offspring. Monogamy probably is not obligatory (cf. Garber et al. 1984), but cooperation among group members in infant care, territory maintenance, and predator defense suggests long-term relationships and kin selected behavior. We report here responses by red-bellied tamarins to chemicals from South American mammals. Our tests indicate that S. labiatus distinguishes between the odors of some predatory and non-predatory mammals, and the data suggest that this callitrichid exhibits chemically elicited defenses to such odors. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of reactions to predator chemicals by a nonhuman primate.