Social support correlates with glucocorticoid concentrations in wild African elephant orphans.

ABSTRACT: Social relationships have physiological impacts. Here, we investigate whether loss of the mother/offspring relationship has lasting effects on fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations in wild African elephant orphans several years following their mothers' deaths. We find no difference in fGCM concentrations between orphans and nonorphans, but find lower fGCM concentrations in elephants with more age mates in their family. We also unexpectedly identify lower concentrations in orphans without their natal family versus nonorphans and natal orphans, which we speculate may be due to the development of hypocortisolism following a prolonged period without familial support. An index of plant productivity (i.e. food) shows the largest correlation with fGCM concentrations. Our findings

SUBMITTER: Parker JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9283395 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature