Applying Fecal Endocrine Monitoring to Conservation and Behavior Studies of Wild Mammals: Important Considerations and Preliminary Tests

Abstract

The desire to apply fecal steroid metabolite monitoring to key questions in conservation biology and behavioral ecology has steadily increased over the past decade. In particular, the measurement of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites, which reflect changes in an individual's adrenal activity, and are thus a measure of the stress response, has become a sought-after tool for conservation biologists and behaviorists alike. The noninvasive nature of this method facilitates longitudinal physiological monitoring concomitant with behavioral observations and other noninvasive ecological and biological data collection, providing an increased level of insight and complexity that was previously impossible to obtain. While the method has huge potential, some doubt is beginning to emerge regarding its general applicability to field studies. This doubt may largely result from some misconceptions and lack of knowledge about the method itself. The perceived simplicity of this methodology has led some to believe that it is an easily and readily applicable tool, without further consideration of potential problems. However, no standardization currently exists for the methodology, and confounding variables are plentiful. While we want to highlight the usefulness and applicability of the technique for conservation biology and behavioral ecology, we primarily review some of the potential pitfalls and identify various tests and experiments researchers may need to perform and/or consider prior to undertaking this type of study. We also discuss some of the future research needs for increased applicability of this exciting methodology.

Keywords:

• fecal hormone metabolites
• noninvasive hormone monitoring
• fecal glucocorticoids
• fecal steroids
• mammalian endocrinology
• conservation endocrinology