Social behavior of the monogamous owl monkey
Christy Wolovich,
Researcher - University of Miami

I have been observing feeding behavior and general patterns of social behavior of the captive owl monkeys at the DuMond Conservancy as part of my dissertation research. I am interested in the maintenance of social monogamy and examining behaviors that may have evolved to strengthen social bonds between pair mates. Unlike most monogamous primates, owl monkeys rarely allogroom and do not perform vocal duets. They do, however, share food with their mates. I am examining food sharing between mates in detail to determine if food sharing functions to provide females with added nutrition when they are pregnant and lactating, and/or if food sharing aids in social bonding.

For over a year, I have regularly collected urine from the adult females in order to monitor reproductive states. In addition to general observations of feeding and social behavior, I have been conducting several types of ‘intruder’ experiments to determine if owl monkeys mate-guard and if so, whether food sharing may function in mate-guarding. These ‘intruder’ experiments have been conducted both by presenting stranger monkeys just outside of the resident pair’s cage as well as placing unfamiliar urine inside of the resident pair’s cage. Owl monkeys are nocturnal and rely heavily on olfactory cues. Both males and females scent mark and urine wash, and males frequently taste female urine, presumably to determine female reproductive state. The results of these studies will provide more detail on the male and female contribution to maintaining social monogamy in the owl monkey.

Throughout this study I have been fortunate to have assistants to helping me with data collection. These assistants have been local undergraduates, some of who gained college credit by conducting mini research projects. If you are interested in learning more about my research, please feel free to email me at wolovich@bio.miami.edu.