Housing with Females Increases Testosterone and Cortisol Levels in Captive Groups of Black-Handed Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi)

The black‐handed spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) is a seasonal reproducer that requires a seclusiveness to copulate and has a fusion–fission social system. These features impose important restrictions to achieve reproduction of captive animals. We investigated if group composition in captive spider...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Zoo biology 2012-07, Vol.31 (4), p.490-497
Main Authors: Cerda-Molina, A.L., Hernández-López, L., Díaz-Díaz, G., Mejía-Varas, F., Chavira, R., Mondragón-Ceballos, R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Physiological - physiology
Animals
Animals, Zoo
Atelinae - blood
cortisol
Female
housing conditions
Housing, Animal
Hydrocortisone - blood
Male
Models, Statistical
Reproduction - physiology
Seasons
Sex Factors
Social Dominance
Social Environment
spider monkeys
testosterone
Testosterone - blood
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Summary:The black‐handed spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) is a seasonal reproducer that requires a seclusiveness to copulate and has a fusion–fission social system. These features impose important restrictions to achieve reproduction of captive animals. We investigated if group composition in captive spider monkeys has any endocrine effects. We compared testosterone and cortisol concentrations during the mating season in all‐male and multifemale–multimale groups to study if the former condition impairs reproductive potential and increases stress. Concentrations of testosterone and cortisol of males living with females were higher than those of all‐male groups. In the multifemale–multimale condition, dominant males had the highest levels of testosterone, while the youngest males showed the highest concentrations of cortisol. Results show that males adjust well to isosexual grouping, this being an appropriate condition to keep animals when controlled reproduction is sought. Zoo Biol 31:490;–497, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ISSN:0733-3188
1098-2361
DOI:10.1002/zoo.21004