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Fur rubbing in Plecturocebus cupreus - an incidence of self-medication?
Gurjit K Theara1,2, Juan Ruíz Macedo3, Ricardo Zárate Gómez4
1Sociobiology/Anthropology, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Kellnerweg 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
Abstract:
Fur rubbing, i.e. rubbing a substance or an object into the pelage, has been described in numerous Neotropical primate species, including species of titi monkeys, but it seems to be a rare behaviour. Here we describe a fur rubbing event in a wild coppery titi monkey (Plecturocebus cupreus) with Psychotria sp. (Rubiaceae) leaves observed and videotaped during a field study on vigilance behaviour between September-December 2019 in the Peruvian Amazon. Plants of the genus Psychotria contain a great diversity of secondary metabolites and are often used in traditional medicine. We suggest that the fur rubbing was an act of self-medication. This is the first record of fur rubbing in coppery titi monkeys in almost 4400 h of observation accumulated over more than 20 years.
Insights
This study documents rare fur rubbing behavior in a wild coppery titi monkey using Psychotria leaves. Researchers suggest this is the first observed instance of self-medication in this primate species.
Area of Science:
- Primate ethology
- Neotropical biodiversity
- Animal behavior
Background:
- Fur rubbing is a rare behavior observed in several Neotropical primate species.
- Previous observations of fur rubbing in titi monkeys are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document a specific instance of fur rubbing in a wild coppery titi monkey (Plecturocebus cupreus).
- To investigate the potential self-medication hypothesis behind this behavior.
Main Methods:
- Observation and video recording of a wild coppery titi monkey in the Peruvian Amazon.
- Identification of the plant material used in the fur rubbing (Psychotria sp.).
- Review of long-term observational data on coppery titi monkeys.
Main Results:
- A single event of fur rubbing involving Psychotria leaves was observed and recorded.
- This represents the first documented instance of fur rubbing in coppery titi monkeys across over 20 years and 4400 hours of observation.
- Psychotria plants are known for diverse secondary metabolites and medicinal uses.
Conclusions:
- The observed fur rubbing behavior is hypothesized to be an act of self-medication.
- This finding expands the known behavioral repertoire of Plecturocebus cupreus.
- Fur rubbing, potentially for self-medication, may be more widespread but underreported in primates.
