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<p>Understanding how physiological processes align with specific behaviors provides valuable insight into the evolutionary adaptations of primates. Thermoregulatory and sensory adaptations are critical for survival in nocturnal primates, shaping their ability to forage efficiently under low-light conditions. Infrared thermography (IRT) offers a noninvasive approach to exploring these dynamics, particularly where traditional observational methods may fall short. The aye-aye (<i>Daubentonia madagascariensis</i>), a nocturnal primate native to Madagascar, exemplifies such challenges. Known for its unique “percussive foraging” or “tap-scanning” behavior, the aye-aye uses its large, mobile ears to detect acoustic cues and its elongated middle finger to tap on wood surfaces and extract hidden insects. The role of olfactory cues in this foraging strategy, however, remains debated, as some evidence suggests they may complement acoustic sensing in certain contexts. We used IRT to investigate how the surface temperature in the eye, as an indicator of body temperature, the nose, and the pinna, a critical component of the auditory system involved in tap-scanning changes during foraging in aye-ayes. We conducted tests on two healthy captive aye-ayes in a controlled environment at Duke Lemur Center. We found a significant increase (2–3&#xa0;°C) in ocular temperature during tapping and foraging activities. Nasal temperatures remained 10–13&#xa0;°C lower than other facial regions, with a positive correlation between ocular and nasal temperatures. Pinna temperature varied, showing distinct thermal patterns in the inner and outer pinnae. The temperature of the pinna region and ear canal entry was higher than that of other parts of the head. The elevated eye temperature suggests a potential rise in body temperature linked to metabolic and physiological activity during foraging. The increase in nasal temperature or contact with wood surfaces during active foraging suggests enhanced olfactory sensitivity as the aye-aye searches for prey. Variation in ear temperature and thermal patterns imply physiological or sensory adaptations, potentially driven by increased blood flow and metabolic activity associated with auditory sensing or chewing muscles to optimize foraging efficiency. These findings reveal distinct thermal patterns in the eye, nose, and pinna, linked to metabolic, potential olfactory, and auditory activity during foraging. This highlights the aye-aye’s specific sensory and thermoregulatory adaptations and underscores the broader use of IRT for studying similar mechanisms in other nocturnal species.</p>

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Investigating Acoustic-based Foraging Behavior in Aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis) Through Infrared Thermography

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月2日

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  • Hamidreza Nemati,
  • Nihar Masurkar,
  • Ehsan Dehghan-Niri

摘要

Understanding how physiological processes align with specific behaviors provides valuable insight into the evolutionary adaptations of primates. Thermoregulatory and sensory adaptations are critical for survival in nocturnal primates, shaping their ability to forage efficiently under low-light conditions. Infrared thermography (IRT) offers a noninvasive approach to exploring these dynamics, particularly where traditional observational methods may fall short. The aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis), a nocturnal primate native to Madagascar, exemplifies such challenges. Known for its unique “percussive foraging” or “tap-scanning” behavior, the aye-aye uses its large, mobile ears to detect acoustic cues and its elongated middle finger to tap on wood surfaces and extract hidden insects. The role of olfactory cues in this foraging strategy, however, remains debated, as some evidence suggests they may complement acoustic sensing in certain contexts. We used IRT to investigate how the surface temperature in the eye, as an indicator of body temperature, the nose, and the pinna, a critical component of the auditory system involved in tap-scanning changes during foraging in aye-ayes. We conducted tests on two healthy captive aye-ayes in a controlled environment at Duke Lemur Center. We found a significant increase (2–3 °C) in ocular temperature during tapping and foraging activities. Nasal temperatures remained 10–13 °C lower than other facial regions, with a positive correlation between ocular and nasal temperatures. Pinna temperature varied, showing distinct thermal patterns in the inner and outer pinnae. The temperature of the pinna region and ear canal entry was higher than that of other parts of the head. The elevated eye temperature suggests a potential rise in body temperature linked to metabolic and physiological activity during foraging. The increase in nasal temperature or contact with wood surfaces during active foraging suggests enhanced olfactory sensitivity as the aye-aye searches for prey. Variation in ear temperature and thermal patterns imply physiological or sensory adaptations, potentially driven by increased blood flow and metabolic activity associated with auditory sensing or chewing muscles to optimize foraging efficiency. These findings reveal distinct thermal patterns in the eye, nose, and pinna, linked to metabolic, potential olfactory, and auditory activity during foraging. This highlights the aye-aye’s specific sensory and thermoregulatory adaptations and underscores the broader use of IRT for studying similar mechanisms in other nocturnal species.