TY - JOUR
T1 - Seasonal anointment with millipedes in a wild primate
T2 - A chemical defense against insects?
AU - Valderrama, Ximena
AU - Robinson, John G.
AU - Attygalle, Athula B.
AU - Eisner, Thomas
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - Members of a wild group of wedge-capped capuchin monkeys (Cebus olivaceus) intentionally anoint themselves with millipedes (Orthoporus dorsovittatus). Chemical analysis revealed these millipedes secrete two benzoquinones, compounds known to be potently repellent to insects. We argue that the secretion that rubs off on the monkeys in the course of anointment provides protection against insects, particularly mosquitoes (and the bot flies they transmit) during the rainy season. Millipede secretion is so avidly sought by the monkeys that up to four of them will share a single millipede. The anointment must also entail risks, since benzoquinones are toxic and carcinogenic. We suggest that for capuchins the immediate benefits of anointment outweigh the long-range costs.
AB - Members of a wild group of wedge-capped capuchin monkeys (Cebus olivaceus) intentionally anoint themselves with millipedes (Orthoporus dorsovittatus). Chemical analysis revealed these millipedes secrete two benzoquinones, compounds known to be potently repellent to insects. We argue that the secretion that rubs off on the monkeys in the course of anointment provides protection against insects, particularly mosquitoes (and the bot flies they transmit) during the rainy season. Millipede secretion is so avidly sought by the monkeys that up to four of them will share a single millipede. The anointment must also entail risks, since benzoquinones are toxic and carcinogenic. We suggest that for capuchins the immediate benefits of anointment outweigh the long-range costs.
KW - Anointment
KW - Benzoquinone
KW - Capuchin monkey
KW - Carcinogen
KW - Chemical defense
KW - Insect deterrent
KW - Millipede
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U2 - 10.1023/A:1026489826714
DO - 10.1023/A:1026489826714
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0034536081
SN - 0098-0331
VL - 26
SP - 2781
EP - 2790
JO - Journal of Chemical Ecology
JF - Journal of Chemical Ecology
IS - 12
ER -