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Talking Defensively, a Dual Use for the Brachial Gland Exudate of Slow and Pygmy Lorises

  • Lee R. Hagey
  • Bryan G. Fry
  • Helena Fitch-Snyder
Chapter
Part of the Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects book series (DIPR)

Abstract

On the ventral side of the elbow of the both the slow (Nycticebus bengalensis, N. coucang) and pygmy (N. pygmaeus) lorises, one can perceive a slightly raised, fairly hair-free but barely visible swelling, termed the brachial gland (Figure 12.1). Observers of captive lorises have found that when the animal is disturbed during capture and handling, the gland secretes about 10 microliters (µl) of a clear, strong-smelling liquid in the form of an apocrine sweat. Typically, male and female lorises assumed a defensive position with head bent downward between uplifted forelegs, like a miniature prize fighter in a clinch, while imparting gland exudate to the head and neck (Fitch-Snyder, 1996). The lorises frequently licked their own brachial gland regions, and also wiped these glands against their heads. The gland is active in lorises as young as 6 weeks (Fitch-Snyder, unpubl. data).

Keywords

Hexyl Acetate Isopentyl Acetate Pentyl Acetate Nycticebus Coucang Nocturnal Prosimian 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007

Authors and Affiliations

  • Lee R. Hagey
    • 1
  • Bryan G. Fry
    • 2
  • Helena Fitch-Snyder
    • 3
  1. 1.Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES)Zoological Society of San DiegoSan DiegoUSA
  2. 2.School of MedicineUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
  3. 3.Zoological Society of San DiegoSan DiegoUSA

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