Publications by authors named "Stefano Vaglio"
The Alaotran gentle lemur (Hapalemur Alaotrensis) is one of the most endangered primates in the world and shows a low success rate in captive breeding programmes. We tested a novel scent enrichment, made up of a synthesized mixture likely conveying information about female fertility, on four unsuccessful breeding pairs (n = 8 subjects) living at the Jersey, Birmingham, London (United Kingdom) and Mulhouse (France) zoos. We evaluated the effects of the scent enrichment on behavior (515 h of observation) and fecal endocrinology (cortisol and testosterone measurements) (n = 180 samples) comparing pre- enrichment, enrichment and post- enrichment phases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - The study aimed to improve breeding success of critically endangered lemur species in zoos by developing novel scent enrichments that mimic natural olfactory cues during their breeding season.
- - Researchers analyzed female lemur odors and created specific scent mixtures designed to trigger mating behaviors in male lemurs, testing these mixtures on unsuccessful breeding pairs in European zoos.
- - Results indicated that the scent enrichments successfully stimulated male sexual behaviors and increased faecal testosterone levels, suggesting that such enrichments could enhance conservation efforts for these endangered species.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluated how the introduction of novel objects and scent stimuli, specifically synthetic facial pheromone (F3), affected the behavior of five adult European wildcats at a zoo in Italy.
- Observations revealed no significant behavioral changes between the different experimental conditions and the baseline, with the exception of less exploration when blocks were present.
- However, wildcats showed changes in inactivity and social behaviors when exposed to rags sprayed with F3, indicating that while visual stimuli had little effect, the semiochemical may influence social dynamics among the animals.
Article Synopsis
- - Zoos contribute to conservation efforts both in situ (in the natural habitat) and ex situ (in controlled environments) by offering breeding programs and reintroduction strategies to combat species extinction.
- - Environmental mismatches between wild habitats and zoo settings can lead to health issues in animals, affecting their well-being and reproductive success.
- - Despite the benefits of scent-based enrichment for improving animal welfare, it remains underutilized in zoos, especially for non-human primates, even though research indicates that olfactory stimulation is more important for these species than previously thought.
Sexual intercourse in the animal kingdom functions to enable reproduction. However, we now know that several species of non-human primates regularly engage in sex outside of the times when conception is possible. In addition, homosexual and immature sex are not as uncommon as were once believed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study looked into how effectively society can conserve biodiversity, using lemurs in Madagascar as a specific example.
- It evaluated the role of European zoos in conservation initiatives, analyzing their actions and communication efforts through the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria's Conservation Database.
- The findings indicated that while zoo-led initiatives positively impact wild lemur conservation, there's a need to focus on more lemur species and improve public communication to boost awareness.
Article Synopsis
- The Lake Alaotra gentle lemur is critically endangered and struggles with breeding in captivity, necessitating better knowledge of its reproductive biology.
- The study, conducted over one year at Jersey Zoo, involved observing behaviors, collecting fecal and scent samples, and analyzing hormone levels to assess reproductive signals.
- Results indicated that while scent-marking behaviors increased during breeding, hormone levels did not effectively predict behaviors, highlighting that distinct chemical compounds in odour signals play a key role in indicating the female's fertile period.
Article Synopsis
- * The study focused on four UK primate species and collected behavioral and fecal data during zoo closures and reopenings, discovering that bonobos and gorillas enjoyed more social interactions and gorillas were more active when visitors were present.
- * The olive baboons showed decreased sexual and dominance behaviors while interacting more with visitors, but no significant physiological changes were noted in the primates regardless of visitor presence, suggesting varied effects of closures on different species.
Article Synopsis
- This study focuses on olfactory communication in mammals, specifically how odors impact mating decisions in Japanese macaques, a type of primate.
- Researchers analyzed urine and vaginal swab samples to assess the relationship between odor characteristics and female identity or reproductive cycle phase.
- Findings indicate that individual odors differ more significantly than those categorized by cycle phases, suggesting that female odors encode information about identity and reproductive status, though further research is needed to explore how other macaques might interpret these signals.
Primates are traditionally considered to have a poor sense of smell. However, olfaction is important for non-human primates as demonstrated by conspicuous scent-marking behaviours in lemurs. We studied two pairs ( 4) of crowned lemurs () housed at Colchester and Twycross zoos (UK) by combining behavioural observations and chemical analyses of scent-marks and glandular swabs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Female primates, like olive baboons, use various signals to indicate ovulation, but previous research has mostly overlooked the importance of olfactory (smell) signals.
- This study analyzed the vaginal odour of eight adult female baboons to identify volatile compounds and their relationship with the female's fertile period, discovering 74 compounds, including 25 that matched odour profiles found in other primates.
- The findings indicate that the intensity of vaginal odour changes throughout the female reproductive cycle, suggesting that these olfactory signals may be significant in communicating fertility, with differences observed based on group composition but not clearly tied to female age or identity.
Article Synopsis
- Early-life experiences, especially rearing practices, significantly influence the adult behaviors of primates, with atypical rearing leading to abnormal behaviors and social deficiencies.
- A study of chimpanzees at Parco Natura Viva showed that mother-reared individuals engaged more in normal species-specific behaviors compared to hand-reared ones, which displayed more abnormal behaviors.
- The findings highlight the importance of minimizing human interactions and promoting exposure to other chimpanzees during development to improve the well-being of zoo-housed chimpanzees.
Article Synopsis
- * Zoos can function as urban green spaces, providing a habitat with abundant resources for free-living native species, particularly small mammals.
- * A study at Dudley Zoological Gardens revealed that habitats resembling semi-natural woodlands had the greatest diversity of small mammals, while proximity to predatory species affected capture rates, highlighting the unique ecological role of zoos.
Article Synopsis
- Captive breeding is essential for the survival of endangered primate species, with modern zoos playing a key role in their conservation and public education.
- A study was conducted to assess the impact of a scent enrichment program using essential oils on the well-being and behavior of several primate species at Dudley Zoo & Castle and Twycross Zoo in the UK.
- The results showed mixed outcomes, with some species reducing stress-related behaviors while others exhibited increased stress, indicating that the effectiveness of scent enrichment may vary based on individual species' social dynamics and olfactory preferences.
Article Synopsis
- A new method using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has been developed for analyzing odor signals in animal communication, allowing researchers to identify and quantify volatile components in various samples.
- The key benefits of this approach include its versatility for different sample types, minimal sample preparation, and the ability to analyze and identify complex mixtures of odors.
- However, a major limitation is that volatile compounds can easily be lost or altered, requiring careful storage and transport of samples, which can be costly.
Article Synopsis
- Tamarins and marmosets are small monkeys that primarily feed on tree sap and gum; marmosets are gummivores, while tamarins eat gum less frequently.
- The study evaluated the impact of a gum feeder on the behavior and well-being of various callitrichine species in a zoo setting, comparing behaviors before and after its introduction.
- Results showed that the gum feeder encouraged natural behaviors like exploration and reduced unwanted behaviors such as coprophagy in red-handed tamarins, indicating it serves as a positive enrichment tool for these species.
Article Synopsis
- Primate chemical communication, especially through scent-marking, is often overlooked because primates are thought to rely more on other sensory methods, but olfaction is significant in their societies.
- A study on red-ruffed lemurs at two UK zoos involved 132 hours of behavioral observations and chemical analysis of their scent-marking, revealing that males marked more frequently and in specific spots, while females' marking was linked to their age.
- The research identified 32 volatile compounds in the lemurs' scent-marking, suggesting that it might convey information about sex and age, with males using neck-marking for territorial defense and females using ano-genital marking for socio-sexual communication.
Article Synopsis
- Mandrills, a type of Old World primate, engage in scent-marking behaviors which were studied through both behavioral observations and chemical analysis in three zoo-managed groups, totaling 775 hours of observation with 39 individuals.
- Males were found to scent-mark more frequently than females, with alpha males marking the most; the marking behavior was linked to the individual's age, dominance status, and location within their enclosure.
- The study identified 77 volatile components in mandrills' scent marks, which carry information about the individual's sex, age, rank, and potentially group membership, suggesting that scent-marking serves both territorial and sociosexual communication purposes.
Article Synopsis
- This study focuses on scent glands in cotton top tamarins, specifically looking at male specimens, an area less explored compared to female glands.
- Researchers analyzed skin samples from two adult male tamarins, one intact and one castrated, to observe differences in gland structure and activity.
- The findings suggest that intact males show active sebaceous glands, while castrated males exhibit significant fibrosis, highlighting the impact of hormonal differences on gland function.
Article Synopsis
- - The study examined the welfare of three groups of cotton-top tamarins in different zoos, focusing on behavioral observations and hormone levels over one year.
- - Researchers found no significant differences in fecal cortisol across the groups, but testosterone and progesterone levels varied by sex and age, indicating hormone influence on behavior.
- - The investigation revealed a strong link between hormone levels and environmental factors, like exhibit space, along with notable variations in social behaviors among the tamarin groups, showing that hormones like cortisol and testosterone play a role in their actions.
Article Synopsis
- The study explores how the evolution of red-green color vision in trichromatic primates benefits foraging, such as detecting ripe fruits and young leaves, and influences socio-sexual communication within species.
- Researchers observed vervet monkeys, pig-tailed macaques, and chimpanzees to assess their color preference when selecting objects containing hidden rewards.
- Results showed that chimpanzees preferred red objects for foraging, while the other two species did not exhibit a clear color-based choice, indicating the need for further research on the role of socio-sexual communication in the development of color vision in primates.
Scents play a key role in mediating reproductive interactions in many vertebrates including mammals. Nowadays, several studies indicate that humans seem to use remarkably olfactory communication and are even able to produce and perceive pheromones. Furthermore, over the past several years, it became increasingly clear that pheromone-like chemical signals probably play a role in offspring identification and mother recognition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) consists of diverse genes essential for the immune system and may influence individual odors, which animals use to evaluate potential mates and social partners.
- Researchers studied the link between chemical odors and MHC genotypes in mandrills, finding that while odors were not directly tied to specific MHC supertypes, there was a strong connection between odor similarity and MHC similarity.
- The study indicates that individual odors might signal genetic quality and help animals assess genetic similarity, illuminating potential mechanisms for mate selection and kin recognition.
Article Synopsis
- Primates, especially Old World monkeys and apes, are thought to rely less on their sense of smell compared to vision, but new evidence shows that chemical communication might still be significant, particularly in mandrills.
- Researchers analyzed the scent from mandrill glands using advanced techniques, identifying 97 volatile compounds that provide information about the animals' age, dominance rank, and sex.
- The study suggests that odor plays a crucial role in signaling dominance among male mandrills, especially in their dense rainforest habitat, while indicating that female mandrills might not rely on scent as much as males do.
Article Synopsis
- The term "pheromone" was established over 50 years ago, but research in identifying these chemical signals, especially in humans, remains complex and ongoing.
- Recent studies suggest that pheromone-like chemicals could be vital for newborns to identify their mothers and the source of nourishment.
- Specifically, odor patterns from women's sweat in certain body areas during and after pregnancy may help babies recognize their mothers at birth and later locate breast milk.