Fecal temperature of wild and captive Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) as a proxy for body temperature
Files
Accepted manuscript
Date
2019-10-21
DOI
Authors
Syainullah, Muhammad
Harwell, Faye
Gotama, Rinaldi
Junardi, Pak
Scott, Katherine
Philp, Brodie
Mitra Setia, Tatang
Susanto, Tri Wahyu
Knott, Cheryl
Version
Accepted manuscript
OA Version
Citation
Muhammad Syainullah, Faye Harwell, Rinaldi Gotama, Pak Junardi, Katherine Scott, Brodie Philp, Tatang Mitra Setia, Tri Wahyu Susanto, Cheryl Knott. 2019. "Fecal Temperature of Wild and Captive Bornean Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) as a Proxy for Body Temperature." "Abstract of talk presented at the International Conference on Biodiversity for Life: Sustainable Development of Indonesia Biodiversity, National University, Jakarta, Indonesia, 21 October 2019."
Abstract
Primate health status affects individual fitness and survival, yet is difficult to noninvasively
investigate in the wild. Using a method tested on chimpanzees and humans, we estimated
temperature of fecal samples of Bornean orangutans as a proxy for body temperature. Upon
defecation, we recorded peak internal temperature of the samples. Estimated body temperature
was influenced by height of defecation (r= -0.23, N= 95, P= 0.0004) and sample weight (r= 0.23,
N= 75, P= 0.0475). These estimates were not affected by sex (F(2,92)= 0.431, P= 0.651) or
weather (F(2,92)= 1.175, P= 0.313). Our method allowed for fast, consistent sampling, such that
time from defecation to collection did not affect the results (r= -0.074, N= 95, P= 0.468),
confirming reliable fecal temperatures can be collected from orangutans. We compare our
results from the field to captive fecal samples, finding higher body temperatures in captivity.
From our samples (N=95), orangutans appear to have a lower internal body temperature (33.44
± 1.74 °C) on average than either chimpanzees or humans. Previous studies have
demonstrated that orangutans have a lower metabolic rate than other great apes. Lower body
temperature may serve as a metabolic adaptation of orangutans to survive extended periods of
low food availability when energy must be conserved.