Effects of crowding and sex on fecal cortisol levels of captive forest musk deer

Biological research: BR

Shu-Qiang Liu¹  Lei Qi²  Wen-Xia Wang³  Bao-Qing Liu⁴  Gang Liu⁴  Lan He⁴  De-Fu Hu⁴  Lin-Hai Li⁵ 

[1] Beijing Natural History Museum, Beinjing, China;Breeding Centre of Forest Musk Deer in Pientzehuang, China;Key Laboratory of Species Diversity Application and Control in Xinjiang, Xinjiang Normal Univesity, Urumqi, China;Laboratory of Non-invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China;Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, China

关键词: Captivity;    M. berezovskii;    Fecal cortisol;    Chronic stress;    Crowding;   

DOI  :  10.1186/0717-6287-47-48

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: BioMed Central

【 摘 要 】

Restricted space and close contact with conspecifics in captivity may be stressful for musk deer, as they are highly territorial and solitary in the wild. So we tested the effects of crowding on stress of forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) in heterosexual groups, using fecal cortisol analysis as a non-invasive method. 32 healthy adults during non-breeding seasons were chose as our experimental objects. Group 1 was defined as higher crowding condition, with 10-15 m2/deer (6 enclosures, 10♀ and 6♂); group 2 was defined as lower crowding condition, with 23-33 m2/deer (6 enclosures, 10♀ and 6♂). Every enclosure contained 1 male and 3 female. These patterns had been existed for years. The results showed that females in lower crowding condition (217.1 ± 9.5 ug/g) had significantly higher fecal cortisol levels than those in higher crowding condition (177.2 ± 12.1 ug/g). Interestingly, crowding seemed have no effect on male fecal cortisol levels (148.1 ± 9.1 ug/g and 140.5 ± 13.3 ug/g, respectively). At both groups, cortisol was significantly lower in males than in females. These results showed that chronic crowding may affect stress status of captive forest musk deer. The captive environment should consider the space need for musk deer.

【 授权许可】

CC BY