Assaying the Blood of the Sacred Baboon: Oxytocin, Arginine Vasopressin, and the Behavior of the Baboon Subspecies Pubblico
Coppeto, Daniel (Fall 2020)
Published
Abstract
Anthropologists have always been interested in the mechanisms, both proximate and ultimate, that create the enormous variety of primate social and mating relationships. Even among primates, baboon societies are incredibly diverse in their sociality, from the tightly-bound mating relationships within the harems of the hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas hamadryas), to the more promiscuous, yet highly affiliative friendships of anubis baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis). Likewise, within these societies, there are also broad individual differences in social behavior, with some individuals having more affiliative and gregarious personalities, while others can be more aggressive and domineering in their relationships. However, it is still unknown which proximate physiological mechanisms are responsible for generating this behavioral diversity both between and within the subspecies. Converging evidence from neurobiological research has identified the neurohormones oxytocin and arginine vasopressin as essential mediators of social behavior, particularly affiliative and bonding relationships. However, our knowledge of their social functions in primates is still limited and lacks a strong comparative model that has been so successful in other non-primate species. This dissertation sought to combine these lines of inquiry by investigating how oxytocin and arginine vasopressin may influence baboon behavioral diversity. Furthermore, as studies in wild primate populations often have to rely on peripheral sources of the neurohormones (such as in the urine), this study also collected samples from different central and peripheral sources in order to better understand their independent and correlated effects on behavior. Biosamples and behavioral data were collected from captive hamadryas and anubis populations and were assayed using ELISA. Results showed that neurohormone concentrations were surprisingly identical between the baboon subspecies. Nevertheless, the neurohormones were not only found to be associated with numerous demographic variables, but more importantly also with measures of individual social temperament and personality. Furthermore, many of these associations were found in the blood concentrations, rather than the cerebrospinal fluid where they were expected. While these findings are useful contributions to the field, the question remains as to what physiological factors are moderating baboon behavioral diversity. Ultimately, these proximate mechanisms are likely to be related to the distribution of receptors in the baboon brain.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Baboon Sociality 2
The Anubis Baboon 3
The Hamadryas Baboon 4
Mechanisms of Baboon Behavioral Diversity 5
Oxytocin and Arginine Vasopressin: A Primer 8
Evolution 9
Structure 9
Central and Peripheral Levels 11
Receptors 14
Social Functions of OT and AVP 15
OT in Primates 15
AVP in Primates 18
Dissertation Objectives 19
References 20
Chapter 2: Between-Species Comparison 40
Abstract 40
Introduction 40
Methods 44
Results 49
Discussion 50
References 64
Chapter 3: Between-Individuals Comparisons 75
Abstract 75
Introduction 75
Methods 79
Results 82
Discussion 85
References 97
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