Avaliação comportamental e do estresse a partir dos níveis de hormônios glicocorticóides em Callithrix jacchus sob a influência de uma espécie exótica de primata na reserva biológica de Saltinho, Tamandaré - PE

Abstract

Callithrix jacchus, popularly known as common marmoset, is a representative of the Callitrichidae family, being one of the smallest primates in the Neotropical region. The marmosets live in sympatry with other species of primates based on an evolutionary history, such as the Blonde Capuchin (Sapajus flavius) and the red-headed guariba (Alouatta belzebul). Its original geographic distribution is restricted to northeastern Brazil, in the portion above the São Francisco River, is a generalist primate of broad environmental plasticity, Callithrix jacchus was introduced in many states of the south and southeast of Brazil, adapting and expanding its populations to the point of acting in some localities as an invasive species. In the last two decades, however, in parts of their endemism zone, the situation has reversed, and introduced and potentially invasive primates, such as the scent monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), inhabit the same zones causing potential conflicts. These conflicts with the scavenger may elevate cortisol levels, which is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal gland cortex, which perform various functions in the body, such as the control of inflammatory processes and the immune response. When in chronic stress situations, high levels of cortisol can lead to the death of neurons and the inhibition of reproductive behavior. The objective of this project was to evaluate the levels of glucocorticoid hormones, their relationship with stress through fecal cortisol and the behavioral strategies of two groups of marmosets (Callithrix jacchus): one living in sympatry with the exotic primate (Saimiri sciureus) and another living in a habitat without the presence of these exotic primates. The study was carried out in two officially protected areas: the Tapacurá Ecological Station (EET, in São Lourenço da Mata/PE) and the Saltinho Biological Reserve (Saltinho Rebio, in Tamandaré/PE). For the fecal samples, jiraus (wooden structures) were installed in which typical fruits were placed to attract the animals (ceva) and the feces deposited there were collected and taken to the laboratory for the extraction of hormones related to stress. The results served to evaluate the possible alterations in both behavior and levels of cortisol in the marmosets due to the influence of exotic primate.