Abstract
We describe the behavioral repertoire of captive-born black tufted-eared marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) elicited by brief exposures to three potential mounted taxidermized predators (caracara hawk, Polyborus plancus; rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus; oncilla, Leopardus tigrina), and a stuffed toy. For each of the four stimuli, we submitted the subjects to a 9-min trial divided into three consecutive intervals: a 4-min pre-exposure baseline observation, a 1-min stimulus exposure, and a 4-min postexposure observation period. We positioned stimuli in front of each subject's home cage, and video-taped trials for behavioral analysis. During exposures to the potential taxidermized predators, we heard tsik-tsik vocalization and alarm behavior. After exposures, only the cat induced these reactions. All stimuli elicited observational reaction, albeit only during exposure intervals. Further comparisons between the three trial intervals indicated a decrease in the time spent in proximity to the cat during exposures, while an increase in proximity occurred when subjects were exposed to either the hawk or snake for the same period. Taken together, the behavioral responses during and after exposures to the taxidermized oncilla suggest that this stimulus is capable of inducing strong and persistent emotional reactions in Callithrix penicillata.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
REFERENCES
Altmann, J. (1974). Observational study of behavior: Sampling methods. Behaviour 49: 227–267.
Andrade-Greco, M. V., and Andrade, M. A. (1999). Callithrix penicillata na dieta de Spizaetus ornatus (Aves: Accipitridae) em área de cerrado no estado de Minas Gerais. Abstract.Annals of the IX Brazilian Congress of Primatology, Brazilian Primatological Society, p. 65.
Barros, M., Boere, V., Huston, J. P., and Tomaz, C. (2000). Measuring fear and anxiety in the marmoset (Callithrix penicillata) with a novel predator confrontation model: Effects of diazepam. Behav. Brain Res. 108: 205–211.
Barros, M., Mello Jr., E. L., Huston, J. P., and Tomaz, C. (2001). Behavioral effects of buspirone in the marmoset employing a predator confrontation test of fear and anxiety. Pharmacol.Biochem. Behav. 68: 255–262.
Bartecki, U., and Heymann, E. W. (1987). Field observation of snake-mobbing in a group of saddle-back tamarins, Saguinus fuscicollis nigrifrons. Folia Primatol. 48: 199–202.
Blanchard, D. C., Griebel, G., Rodgers, R. J., and Blanchard, R. J. (1998). Benzodiazepine and serotonergic modulation of antipredator and conspecific defense. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 22: 597–612.
Buchanan-Smith, H. M., Anderson, D. A., and Ryan, C. W. (1993). Responses of cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) to fecal scents of predators and non-predators. Anim.Welfare 2: 17–32.
Caine, N. G. (1998). Cutting costs in response to predatory threat by Geoffroy's marmoset (Callithrix geoffroyi). Am. J. Primatol. 46: 187–196.
Caine, N. G. (1993). Flexibility and co-operation as unifying themes in Saguinus social organization and behaviour: Role of predation pressures. In Rylands, A. B. (ed.), Marmosets and Tamarins: Systematics, Behaviour, and Ecology, Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 200–219.
Caine, N.G. (1984). Visual scanning by tamarins:Adescription of the behavior and tests of two derived hypothesis. Folia Primatol. 43: 59–67.
Caine, N. G., and Weldon, P. J. (1989). Responses by red-bellied tamarins (Saguinus labiatus) to fecal scents of predatory and non-predatory neotropical mammals. Biotropica 21: 186–189.
Caine, N.G., and Marra, S. L. (1988).Vigilance and social organization in two species of primates.Anim. Behav. 36: 897–904.
Cameron, R., and Rodgers, L. J. (1999). Hand preference of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): Problem solving and responses in a novel setting. J. Comp. Psychology 113: 149–157.
Cheney, D. L., and Wrangham, R.W. (1987). Predation. In Smuts, B. B., Cheney, D. L., Seyfarth, R. M., Wrangham, R. W., and Struhsaker, T. T. (eds.), Primate Societies, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 227–239.
Conde, C. A., Costa, V., and Tomaz, C. (2000). PROSTCOM, Un conjunto de programas para registro y procesamiento de datos comportamentales en investigaciones de fisiologia y farmacologia. Biotemas 13: 145–159.
Cook, M., and Mineka, S. (1990). Selective associations in the observational conditioning of fear in rhesus monkeys. J. Exp. Psychol. Anim. Behav. Process 16: 372–389.
Corrêa, H. K. M., and Coutinho, P. E. G. (1997). Fatal attack of a pit viper, Bothrops jararaca, on an infant buffy-tufted ear marmoset. Primates 38: 215–217.
Emmons, L.H. (1987). Comparative feeding ecology of felids in a neotropical rainforest. Behav.Ecol. Sociobiol. 20: 271–283.
Epple, G. (1968). Comparative studies on vocalization in marmoset monkeys (Hapalidae). Folia Primatol. 8: 1–40.
Faria, D. S. (1984). Aspectos gerais do comportamento de Callithrix jacchus penicillata em mata ciliar do Cerrado. In Mello, M. T. de (ed.), A Primatologia no Brasil, Vol. 1, Brazilian Primatological Society, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, pp. 55–65.
Ferrari, S. F., and Lopes-Ferrari, M. A. (1990). Predator avoidance behavior in the buffy-headed marmoset, Callithrix flaviceps. Primates 31: 323–338.
Forster, F. C. (1995). Exploratory behavior and learning in laboratory marmosets (Callithrix jacchus jacchus): Comparison between experimental-cage and home-cage activity. Primates 36: 501–514.
Hampton Jr., J. K., Hampton, S. H., and Landwehr, B. T. (1966). Observations on a successful breeding colony of the marmoset Oedipomidas oedipus. Folia Primatol. 4: 265–287.
Heymann, E. W. (1987). A field observation of predation on a moustached tamarin (Saguinus mystax) by an anaconda. Int. J. Primatol. 8: 193–195.
Heymann, E. W. (1990). Reactions of wild tamarins, Saguinus mystax and Saguinus fuscicollis to avian predators. Int. J. Primatol. 11: 327–337.
Miranda, G. H. B. (1997). Aspectos da ecologia e comportamento do mico-estrela (Callithrix penicillata) no cerradão e cerrado denso da Área de Prote¸cão Ambiental (APA) do Gama e Cabeca-de-Veado/DF. Unpubl. Masters thesis, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.
Passamani, M. (1995). Field observation of a group of Geoffroy's marmosets mobbing a margay cat. Folia Primatol. 64: 163–166.
Peres, C. A. (1993). Anti-predation benefits in a mixed-species group of Amazonian tamarins.Folia Primatol. 61: 61–76.
Rylands, A. B. (1981). Preliminary field observation on the marmoset, Callithrix humeralifer intermedius (Hershkovitz, 1977) at Dardanelos, Rio Aripuanã, Mato Grosso. Primates 22: 46–59.
Stafford, B. J., and Ferreira, F. M. (1995). Predation attempts on callitrichids in the Atlantic Coastal Rain Forest of Brazil. Folia Primatol. 65: 229–233.
Stevenson, M. F., and Rylands, A. B. (1988). The marmosets, genus Callithrix. In Mittermeier, R. A., Rylands, A. B., Coimbra-Filho, A. F., and da Fonseca, G. A. B. (eds.), Ecology and Behavior of Neotropical Primates, Vol. 2. World Wildlife Fund, Washington DC, pp. 131–222.
Sussman, R. W., and Kinzey, W. G. (1984). The ecological role of the Callitrichidae: A review.Amer. J. Phys. Anthropol. 64: 419–449.
van Schaik, C. P. (1983). Why are diurnal primates living in groups? Behaviour 87: 120–144.
Vitale, A. F., Visalberghi, E., and de Lillo, C. (1991). Responses to a snake model in captive crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and captive tufted capuchins (Cebus apella).Int. J. Primatol. 12: 277–286.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Barros, M., Boere, V., Mello, E.L. et al. Reactions to Potential Predators in Captive-Born Marmosets (Callithrix penicillata). International Journal of Primatology 23, 443–454 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013899931878
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013899931878