Pedro A. D. Dias, Primate Behavioral Ecology Lab, Instituto de Neuro-etología, Universidad Veracruzana, México
December 07, 2023 | 14h30 | Hybrid Seminar (Zoom Link: https://fc-up-pt.zoom.us/j/82091959463)
Learning allows for the coupling of behavioral and physiological responses to perceived stimuli significance. From an optimization perspective, individuals should wan responses toward stimuli that are not biologically relevant, and thus, habituate. Habituation is conditional on several properties of both the individual and stimuli, but in general, recurrent exposure and strong stimuli intensity lead to quicker and prolonged habituation. There is evidence of wildlife habituation to anthropogenic stimuli that has been interpreted as both positive (e.g., prevents distraction) and negative (e.g., increases vulnerability to hunting). Here, we focus on the behavioral and physiological responses of wild mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) to natural and experimental anthropogenic noise as an example of lack of habituation. We argue that even if repeated exposure leads to decreased response likelihood and/or intensity, the complexity of noise stimuli precludes true habituation. In this scenario, individuals are expected to incur multiple costs, ranging from psychological stress to disrupted social structure.
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