Cross N, Rogers L J
Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
Horm Behav. 2006 Feb;49(2):237-45. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2005.07.007. Epub 2005 Aug 15.
Using a non-invasive method of sampling saliva followed by assay for cortisol levels, we found that common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) show a decrease in cortisol levels after seeing a snake-model stimulus that reliably elicits mobbing (tsik) calls. In fact, there was a significant positive correlation between the number of tsik vocalizations made and the magnitude of the decrease in the cortisol concentrations. Furthermore, marmosets with higher levels of cortisol prior to being exposed to the stimulus produce more tsik calls than those with lower levels of cortisol. Subsequent experiments showed that, in response to 15 min of isolation with no visual or auditory contact with conspecifics (a traditional stressor), cortisol levels increased significantly. However, playback of the mobbing calls of a familiar conspecific to individual isolated marmosets not only prevented the rise in cortisol, but also actually caused a decrease in the levels of this hormone. This suggests that the mobbing calls serve to calm the marmoset after experiencing a stressful situation. This finding results in a greater understanding as to the role of physiological responses during communication in this species and could have implications for the welfare of marmosets in captivity.
通过采用一种非侵入性的唾液采样方法，随后检测皮质醇水平，我们发现普通狨猴（Callithrix jacchus）在看到能可靠引发围攻（tsik）叫声的蛇模型刺激后，其皮质醇水平会下降。事实上，发出的tsik叫声数量与皮质醇浓度下降幅度之间存在显著的正相关。此外，在接触刺激之前皮质醇水平较高的狨猴比皮质醇水平较低的狨猴发出更多的tsik叫声。后续实验表明，对个体隔离的狨猴进行15分钟无视觉或听觉接触同种个体的隔离（一种传统应激源）后，皮质醇水平显著升高。然而，向单独隔离的狨猴播放熟悉同种个体的围攻叫声，不仅能阻止皮质醇升高，实际上还会导致这种激素水平下降。这表明围攻叫声有助于在经历应激情况后使狨猴平静下来。这一发现有助于更深入地了解该物种在交流过程中生理反应的作用，并且可能对圈养狨猴的福利产生影响。
