Quantitative Studies on Scent Marking in the Marmoset

The frequencies per time unit of scent marking, aggressive threat, attacking another monkey and fighting it, were recorded in three Callithrix jacchus groups under different conditions: I-A: In un-disturbed situations. I-B: In the presence of strange males and immediately following encounters with these males. I-C: In the presence of strange females and immediately following encounters with these females. II-A: When a new perch was introduced into the monkeys’ cage. II-B: When a perch, scent marked previously by strange conspecifics, was introduced into the monkeys’ cage. The results, especially the role of pheromones in sexual, territorial and social behavior of Callithrix jacchus are discussed.