Understanding the role of olfaction in regulating male primate behavior and physiology

外表、行为和生理上的差异与灵长类动物中男性地位的差异有关。获得优势地位对灵长类雄性具有重要的后果，包括在它们繁殖后代的能力方面。虽然荷尔蒙在调节获得支配地位的过程中所扮演的角色已经有了很好的描述，但关于气味和嗅觉如何影响地位的结果却知之甚少。研究人员使用一种综合的方法来测量雄性白脸卷尾猴的表型、生理和行为差异，以促进对嗅觉交流在调节等级成就中所起作用的全面理解。这项研究有助于更广泛地了解嗅觉在灵长类动物的生物学和行为中扮演的角色。在整个项目中，研究小组将通过为学生和教师提供讲习班来参与K-12 STEM教育外展。其他STEM人才的培养将通过培训和指导不同的年轻科学家群体进行，包括本科生、学士后和研究生，以及职业生涯早期的博士后科学家。这项研究的目的是检验气味调节雄性白面卷尾猴主要和从属雄性形态表达的假设。具体地说，研究人员将1)量化卷尾猴雄性形态与等级的关系(优势与从属)；2)表征与等级有关的嗅觉行为差异(例如，嗅探、尿痕)；3)确定气味与等级相关的化学基础。研究人员使用尖端的综合方法跟踪形态、行为和生理的变化，包括数字摄影测量、行为观察和荷尔蒙变化评估，以促进对与获得主导地位相关的变化的时间序列的因果理解。此外，通过同时测量野生灵长类动物雄性等级变异所涉及的行为和生物学差异，这项研究为推进等级潜在的最接近机制的知识提供了创造性的、原创性的见解，对理解地位和表型分化-以及感觉生物学在灵长类进化中所起的作用-具有重要意义。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Differences in appearance, behavior, and physiology are associated with differences in male status across primates. Achieving dominant status has important consequences for primate males, including in terms of their ability to sire offspring. While the role of hormones in regulating the achievement of dominant status is well characterized, much less is known about how odor and olfaction contribute to status outcomes. The researchers use an integrative approach to measure phenotypic, physiological, and behavioral variation among male white-faced capuchin monkeys to advance a comprehensive understanding of the roles that olfactory communication plays in regulating rank achievement. The research contributes to a broader understanding of what roles olfaction plays in the biology and behavior of primates. Throughout the project, the research team will engage in K-12 STEM education outreach by providing workshops to students and teachers. Additional STEM talent building will occur through the training and mentorship of a diverse group of young scientists, including undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students, as well as an early-career postdoctoral scientist.The aim of this research is to test the hypothesis that odors regulate the expression of dominant and subordinate male morphs in male white-faced capuchins. Specifically, the investigators will 1) quantify the morphology and physiology of capuchin male morphs in relation to rank (dominant versus subordinate); 2) characterize olfactory behavioral variation (e.g., sniffing, urinary marking) in relation to rank; and 3) determine the chemical basis for differences in scent in relation to rank. The researchers use cutting-edge, integrative methods to track changes in morphology, behavior, and physiology, including digital photogrammetry, behavioral observation, and assessment of hormonal changes, to facilitate causal understanding of the temporal sequence of changes related to attainment of dominant status. Moreover, by simultaneously measuring behavioral and biological variation involved in male rank morphs in a wild primate, this research contributes creative, original insights to advance knowledge of the proximate mechanisms underlying rank, with important implications for understanding status and phenotypic differentiation – as well as the roles played by sensory biology – in primate evolution.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.