Scent-marking and cortisol response in the small-fared bushbaby (Otolemur garnettii)

Among prosimians, some types of scent-marking may serve as displacement act ivities that reduce physiological arousal in stressful situations. Type and frequency of scent-marking was measured for 22 male small-eared or Garnett 's bushbabies (Otolemur garnettii) exposed to a novel open field environmen t, with and without novel objects. Rates of foot rubbing, chest rubbing, ur ine washing, flank rubbing, and ano-genital marking were measured. Foot and chest rubbing constituted 92.5% of responses. Type and frequency of scent- marking was compared to the magnitude of the animals' cortisol responses in a separate test of restraint stress. Only foot and chest rubbing were syst ematically related to cortisol levels. The animals that performed these beh aviors more in the novel environment also exhibited lower cortisol response s to restraint stress. These results suggest that bushbabies that character istically employ behavioral coping strategies have a reduced physiological response to psychological stressors. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.