Michel Saint Jalme

Publications of Michel Saint Jalme

• Unusual feeding behavior in wild great apes, a window to understand origins of self-medication in humans: role of sociality and physiology on learning process.

  Authors: Shelly Masi, Erik Gustafsson, Michel Saint Jalme, Victor Narat, Angelique Todd, Marie-Claude Bomsel, Sabrina Krief

  Physiology & behavior. 08/2011; 105(2):337-49.

  Certain toxic plants are beneficial for health if small amounts are ingested infrequently and in a specific context of illness. Among our closest living relatives, chimpanzees are found to consumeCertain toxic plants are beneficial for health if small amounts are ingested infrequently and in a specific context of illness. Among our closest living relatives, chimpanzees are found to consume plants with pharmacological properties. Providing insight on the origins of human self-medication, this study investigates the role social systems and physiology (namely gut specialization) play on learning mechanisms involved in the consumption of unusual and potentially bioactive foods by two great ape species. We collected data from a community of 41-44 wild chimpanzees in Uganda (11 months, 2008), and a group of 11-13 wild western gorillas in Central African Republic (10 months, 2008-2009). During feeding, we recorded food consumed, its availability, and social interactions (including observers watching conspecifics and the observers' subsequent activity). Unusual food consumption in chimpanzees was twice higher than in gorillas. Additionally chimpanzees relied more on social information with vertical knowledge transmission on unusual foods by continually acquiring information during their life through mostly observing the fittest (pre-senescent) adults. In contrast, in gorillas observational learning primarily occurred between related immatures, showing instead the importance of horizontal knowledge transmission. As chimpanzees' guts are physiologically less specialized than gorillas (more capable of detoxifying harmful compounds), unusual-food consumption may be more risky for chimpanzees and linked to reasons other than nutrition (like self-medication). Our results show that differences in sociality and physiology between the two species may influence mechanisms that discriminate between plants for nutrition and plants with potential therapeutic dietary components. We conclude that self-medication may have appeared in our ancestors in association with high social tolerance and lack of herbivorous gut specialization.

• Sexually extravagant males age more rapidly.

  Authors: Brian T Preston, Michel Saint Jalme, Yves Hingrat, Frédéric Lacroix, Gabriele Sorci

  Ecology letters. 08/2011; 14(10):1017-24.

  Evolutionary theories of ageing posit that increased reproductive investment occurs at the expense of physiological declines in later life. Males typically invest heavily in costly sexual ornamentsEvolutionary theories of ageing posit that increased reproductive investment occurs at the expense of physiological declines in later life. Males typically invest heavily in costly sexual ornaments and behaviour, but evidence that the expression of these traits can cause senescence is lacking. Long-lived houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata) engage in extravagant sexual displays to attract mates and here we show that males investing most in these displays experience a rapid senescent deterioration of spermatogenic function at a younger age. This effect is sufficiently large that the expected links between male 'showiness' and fertility reverse in later life, despite 'showy' males continuing to display at near maximal levels. We show that our results cannot be explained by the selective disappearance of competitive phenotypes and that they are instead consistent with an early vs. late life trade-off in male reproductive competence, highlighting the potential significance of sexual selection in explaining rates of ageing.

• Neophobia and learning mechanisms: how captive orangutans discover medicinal plants.

  Authors: Erik Gustafsson, Sabrina Krief, Michel Saint Jalme

  Folia primatologica; international journal of primatology. 01/2011; 82(1):45-55.

  Great apes sometimes feed on items of low nutritional value with bioactive secondary compounds. These molecules may be toxic and neophobia is presumed to be an essential factor in avoiding theGreat apes sometimes feed on items of low nutritional value with bioactive secondary compounds. These molecules may be toxic and neophobia is presumed to be an essential factor in avoiding the ingestion of noxious items. The aim of this study is to investigate, in captive orangutans, individual and social learning involved in the discovery and ingestion of new items. We presented novel aromatic plants - 11 fresh plants and 4 infused plants - to 4 captive weaned Bornean orangutans, both under isolated and group conditions, and recorded their behaviour and interactions between group members. All animals tasted by nibbling or ingested most of the plants presented. Regardless of the experimental condition, individual responses did not vary visibly across the sessions, despite numerous close observations, and food transfers between individuals were observed. Our results suggest that a low level of neophobia and a strong propensity to look to conspecifics for information allow Bornean orangutans to expand their diet after weaning. Our results also provide some evidence that olfaction is a key sense in determining food edibility based on previous experience.

• Immune-mediated change in the expression of a sexual trait predicts offspring survival in the wild.

  Authors: Rémi Chargé, Gabriele Sorci, Yves Hingrat, Frédéric Lacroix, Michel Saint Jalme

  PloS one. 01/2011; 6(10):e25305.

  The "good genes" theory of sexual selection postulates that females choose mates that will improve their offspring's fitness through the inheritance of paternal genes. In spite of the attention thatThe "good genes" theory of sexual selection postulates that females choose mates that will improve their offspring's fitness through the inheritance of paternal genes. In spite of the attention that this hypothesis has given rise to, the empirical evidence remains sparse, mostly because of the difficulties of controlling for the many environmental factors that may covary with both the paternal phenotype and offspring fitness. Here, we tested the hypothesis that offspring sired by males of a preferred phenotype should have better survival in an endangered bird, the houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata). We tested if natural and experimentally-induced variation in courtship display (following an inflammatory challenge) predicts the survival of offspring. Chicks were produced by artificial insemination of females, ensuring that any effect on survival could only arise from the transfer of paternal genes. One hundred and twenty offspring were equipped with radio transmitters, and their survival monitored in the wild for a year. This allowed assessment of the potential benefits of paternal genes in a natural setting, where birds experience the whole range of environmental hazards. Although natural variation in sire courtship display did not predict offspring survival, sires that withstood the inflammatory insult and maintained their courtship activity sired offspring with the best survival upon release. This finding is relevant both to enlighten the debate on "good genes" sexual selection and the management of supportive breeding programs.

• Male health status, signalled by courtship display, reveals ejaculate quality and hatching success in a lekking species.

  Authors: Rémi Chargé, Michel Saint Jalme, Frédéric Lacroix, Adeline Cadet, Gabriele Sorci

  The Journal of animal ecology. 04/2010; 79(4):843-50.

  1. The information content of secondary sexual traits and the benefits gathered by choosy females are at the heart of sexual selection theory. Indicator models of sexual selection assume that1. The information content of secondary sexual traits and the benefits gathered by choosy females are at the heart of sexual selection theory. Indicator models of sexual selection assume that secondary sexual traits reflect the phenotypic/genetic quality of their bearers and that females gather benefits from choosing these high-quality males. 2. Here, we tested the idea that courtship display reflects the health status in a bird species with a lek-based mating system, the houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata). A group of males was treated with the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the cell wall of the bacterium Escherichia coli during the seasonal peak of courtship display, while another group of males was injected with a phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) as a control. We then monitored the effect of the treatment on both courtship display and ejaculate quality. Finally, females were artificially inseminated with semen from LPS and PBS males, which allowed us to assess the effect of the immunological treatment on reproduction. 3. We found that the inflammatory challenge reduced courtship display and semen quality compared to controls. Interestingly, males that better resisted to the immune challenge in terms of courtship display also better resisted in terms of ejaculate quality. Early reproductive failure was increased when females were artificially inseminated with semen from immune-activated males. Failure of eggs laid by females inseminated with LPS semen was due to a reduced fertilization power of sperm of LPS males or to increased embryo mortality in the very early stage of embryo development. As a consequence, hatching rate was reduced for females inseminated with semen collected from LPS males. 4. These results show that by assessing male courtship display, females may gain insight into the current phenotypic/genetic quality of mates and gather fitness benefits in terms of reproductive success.

• Influence of molt on plasma protein electrophoretic patterns in bar-headed geese (anser indicus).

  Authors: Yannick Roman, Marie-Claude Bomsel-Demontoy, Julie Levrier, Dorothée Ordonneau, Daniel Chaste-Duvernoy, Michel Saint Jalme

  Journal of wildlife diseases. 08/2009; 45(3):661-71.

  Plasma protein electrophoresis is recognized as a reliable diagnostic tool in avian medicine; however, the influence of circannual phenomena such as molt on protein electrophoregrams is poorlyPlasma protein electrophoresis is recognized as a reliable diagnostic tool in avian medicine; however, the influence of circannual phenomena such as molt on protein electrophoregrams is poorly documented. The molt is a period of heavy hormonal and metabolic change in birds. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of molt on total protein concentration and electrophoresis patterns in birds. Blood samples were taken from 19 Bar-headed Geese (Anser indicus) from mid-May to mid-August, at 15-day intervals. At the same time, molting stage of each bird was recorded. Total protein concentrations were measured and plasma agarose gel electrophoresis was performed on these samples. The Bar-headed Goose was chosen as a model, because they molt over a very short period. The total protein concentration and albumin, alpha-2, beta, and gamma fractions were at their minimum values during molt, whereas the prealbumin and alpha-1 fractions rose to their maximum levels. This study provides baseline information relevant to changes occurring in avian proteinograms throughout the molt. The increase in prealbumin and alpha-1 fractions may be related to an increase in plasma thyroid hormones during molt. The decrease observed in albumin, alpha-2, beta, and gamma fractions may be related to protein and energy shifts toward feather growth, as well as to an expansion of the circulatory system located around the feather follicles with secondary dilutional effects on protein fractions. From a clinical point of view, the observed changes associated with molting were less significant than initially expected, and would not likely results in incorrect diagnoses based on interpretation of the protein electrophoretic patterns.

• Identification of apolipoprotein A-I in the alpha-globulin fraction of avian plasma.

  Authors: Yannick Roman, Bertrand Bed'hom, Alain Guillot, Julie Levrier, Daniel Chaste-Duvernoy, Marie-Claude Bomsel-Demontoy, Michel Saint Jalme

  Veterinary clinical pathology / American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology. 04/2009;

  Background: Plasma protein electrophoresis is frequently used in birds as a tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. Identification of proteins in individual peaks can help improve ourBackground: Plasma protein electrophoresis is frequently used in birds as a tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. Identification of proteins in individual peaks can help improve our understanding of changes in protein concentration in physiologic and pathologic conditions. Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the presence and identity the protein(s) in the prominent alpha-globulin peak of orange-winged parrots (Amazona amazonica), black kites (Milvus migrans), and rock pigeons (Columba livia). Methods: Heparinized plasma samples were obtained from 12 birds of each species. Agarose gel electrophoresis and total protein concentration were determined using standard techniques. One plasma sample from each species was then electrophoresed using high-resolution agarose gels to isolate the alpha-globulin band. Gel strips were digested in trypsin and peptides were extracted and analyzed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. De novo sequencing was used to identify the protein based on homology scoring against a protein database. Results: Electrophoresis verified the presence of a single prominent alpha-globulin peak, usually in the alpha(1)-region, that had a median concentration of 9.4 g/L (range, 2.1-11.7 g/L, 21.6% of total protein) in parrots, 12.2 g/L (10.4-13.2 g/L, 35.9%) in kites, and 10.7 g/L (9.0-11.5 g/L, 40.0%) in pigeons. Mass spectrometry and sequencing analysis unequivocally identified the protein as a mature circulating form of apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) in all 3 species. Conclusions: Apo A-I accounts for the prominent alpha-globulin peak and comprises a major proportion of total protein concentration in diverse avian species. As a high-density lipoprotein and negative acute phase protein with a pivotal role in cholesterol homeostasis, further study is warranted to determine the significance of changes in apo A-I concentration in avian electrophoretograms.

• EFFECT OF HEMOLYSIS ON PLASMA PROTEIN LEVELS AND PLASMA ELECTROPHORESIS IN BIRDS.

  Authors: Yannick Roman, Marie-Claude Bomsel-Demontoy, Julie Levrier, Daniel Chaste-Duvernoy, Michel Saint Jalme

  Journal of wildlife diseases. 02/2009; 45(1):73-80.

  Protein electrophoresis is recognized as a reliable diagnostic tool for birds even though results are seldom pathognomonic. Unfortunately, this technique is underused in avian medicine because manyProtein electrophoresis is recognized as a reliable diagnostic tool for birds even though results are seldom pathognomonic. Unfortunately, this technique is underused in avian medicine because many factors interfere with electrophoresis patterns; hemolysis is one of these factors and is often associated with improper specimen handling. In human laboratory medicine, hemolysis is a known interference factor that can lead to erroneous results. Published data on the influence of hemolysis on protein electrophoresis in birds is currently restricted to a single study in Psittacidae. The aim of this study was to further investigate this effect and to analyze potential interspecific differences. Blood samples were drawn from 28 Black Kites (Milvus migrans) and 19 Bar-headed Geese (Anser indicus) and separated into two aliquots. One aliquot was dipped into liquid nitrogen for 5 sec in order to cause freeze-thawing hemolysis before centrifugation. Total plasma protein concentration, plasma hemoglobin concentration, and plasma protein electrophoresis patterns were determined for both hemolyzed and nonhemolyzed samples. In both species, hemolysis resulted in falsely elevated total plasma protein concentration. In Bar-headed Geese, hemolysis caused a rise in the gamma fraction. In Black Kites, this rise involved not only the gamma fraction but also the beta fraction, stressing the potential for species-related differences. In both species, the effects of hemolysis mimicked a chronic inflammatory condition with resulting antigenic stimulation.

• Non-defendable resources affect peafowl lek organization: a male removal experiment.

  Authors: Adeline Loyau, Michel Saint Jalme, Gabriele Sorci

  Behavioural processes. 02/2007; 74(1):64-70.

  A lekking mating system is typically thought to be non-resource based with male providing nothing to females but genes. However, males are thought to clump their display sites on areas where they areA lekking mating system is typically thought to be non-resource based with male providing nothing to females but genes. However, males are thought to clump their display sites on areas where they are more likely to encounter females, which may depend on non-defendable resource location. We tested this hypothesis on a feral population of peacocks. In agreement, we found that, within the lek, display site proximity to food resources had an effect on female visitation rate and male mating success. The attractiveness of display sites to male intruders was explained by the distance to the feeding place and by the female visitation rate. We randomly removed 29 territorial males from their display sites. Display sites that were more attractive to male intruders before removal remained highly attractive after removal and display sites closer to the feeding area attracted the attention of intruders significantly more after removal. Similarly, display sites that were more visited by females before removal remained more visited after removal, suggesting again that the likelihood of encountering females is determined by the display site location. Overall, these results are in agreement with non-defendable resources affecting lek spatial organization in the peafowl.

• Iridescent structurally based coloration of eyespots correlates with mating success in the peacock

  Authors: Adeline Loyau, Doris Gomez, Benoît Moureau, Marc Théry, Nathan S Hart, Michel Saint Jalme, Andrew TD Bennett, Gabriele Sorci

  Behavioral Ecology. 01/2007; 18(6):1123-1131.

  Gaudy plumage coloration is a widespread ornamental trait in birds and thought to be sexually selected. Although much attention has been devoted to structural coloration reflecting in UV, theGaudy plumage coloration is a widespread ornamental trait in birds and thought to be sexually selected. Although much attention has been devoted to structural coloration reflecting in UV, the signaling function of structural colors lacking UV reflectance and those that exhibit iridescence coloration are poorly documented. The train of the peacock (Pavo cristatus), a classical example of a sexually selected trait, is composed of iridescent structurally colored eyespots not reflecting in UV. Until today, the role played by the structural color of the eyespots in female mate choice has never been investigated using spectrom- etry. We measured eyespot coloration from a stationary angle (static coloration) and the change in coloration resulting from different angles (iridescent coloration). We assessed coloration with reflectance spectrometry, and we analyzed reflectance spectra using 2 methods. First, we extracted the reflectance spectra shape descriptors hue, brightness, and chroma. Second, we computed color and brightness contrasts signaled by eyespot feathers, taking peafowl color visual sensitivity into account. Iridescence was estimated by the maximal change for all parameters. Brightness was correlated with male mating success. The maximal change in color contrast was correlated with both the frequency of male visitation by females and male mating success. These results suggest that peahens can use both static and dynamic (i.e., iridescent) aspects of plumage structural coloration as signals to detect and choose their mates. Key

• Iridescent structurally based coloration of eyespots correlates with mating success in the peacock

  Authors: Adeline Loyau, Doris Gomez, Benoit Moureau, Marc Th�ry, Nathan S. Hart, Michel Saint Jalme, Andrew T.D. Bennett, Gabriele Sorci

  Oxford University Press for the International Society for Behavioral Ecology, Behavioral Ecology. 01/2007; 18(6):1123-1131.

  Gaudy plumage coloration is a widespread ornamental trait in birds and thought to be sexually selected. Although much attention has been devoted to structural coloration reflecting in UV, theGaudy plumage coloration is a widespread ornamental trait in birds and thought to be sexually selected. Although much attention has been devoted to structural coloration reflecting in UV, the signaling function of structural colors lacking UV reflectance and those that exhibit iridescence coloration are poorly documented. The train of the peacock (Pavo cristatus), a classical example of a sexually selected trait, is composed of iridescent structurally colored eyespots not reflecting in UV. Until today, the role played by the structural color of the eyespots in female mate choice has never been investigated using spectrometry. We measured eyespot coloration from a stationary angle (static coloration) and the change in coloration resulting from different angles (iridescent coloration). We assessed coloration with reflectance spectrometry, and we analyzed reflectance spectra using 2 methods. First, we extracted the reflectance spectra shape descriptors hue, brightness, and chroma. Second, we computed color and brightness contrasts signaled by eyespot feathers, taking peafowl color visual sensitivity into account. Iridescence was estimated by the maximal change for all parameters. Brightness was correlated with male mating success. The maximal change in color contrast was correlated with both the frequency of male visitation by females and male mating success. These results suggest that peahens can use both static and dynamic (i.e., iridescent) aspects of plumage structural coloration as signals to detect and choose their mates. Copyright 2007, Oxford University Press.

• Iridescent structurally based coloration of eyespots correlates with mating success in the peacock

  Authors: Adeline Loyau, Doris Gomez, Benoît Moureau, Marc Théry, Nathan S. Hart, Michel Saint Jalme, Andrew T.D. Bennett, Gabriele Sorci

  Gaudy plumage coloration is a widespread ornamental trait in birds and thought to be sexually selected. Although much attention has been devoted to structural coloration reflecting in UV, theGaudy plumage coloration is a widespread ornamental trait in birds and thought to be sexually selected. Although much attention has been devoted to structural coloration reflecting in UV, the signaling function of structural colors lacking UV reflectance and those that exhibit iridescence coloration are poorly documented. The train of the peacock ( Pavo cristatus ), a classical example of a sexually selected trait, is composed of iridescent structurally colored eyespots not reflecting in UV. Until today, the role played by the structural color of the eyespots in female mate choice has never been investigated using spectrometry. We measured eyespot coloration from a stationary angle (static coloration) and the change in coloration resulting from different angles (iridescent coloration). We assessed coloration with reflectance spectrometry, and we analyzed reflectance spectra using 2 methods. First, we extracted the reflectance spectra shape descriptors hue, brightness, and chroma. Second, we computed color and brightness contrasts signaled by eyespot feathers, taking peafowl color visual sensitivity into account. Iridescence was estimated by the maximal change for all parameters. Brightness was correlated with male mating success. The maximal change in color contrast was correlated with both the frequency of male visitation by females and male mating success. These results suggest that peahens can use both static and dynamic (i.e., iridescent) aspects of plumage structural coloration as signals to detect and choose their mates.