Macaques in Puerto Rico Learn to Share Shade after Hurricane Maria

In 2017, Hurricane Maria unleashed its destructive fury upon Puerto Rico, leaving behind a trail of devastation that impacted not only human lives but also the lives of the island’s inhabitants, including its wildlife. Among these affected creatures were the rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) living on Cayo Santiago, a key located off Puerto Rico’s coast. However, in the aftermath of the storm, a remarkable shift in behavior among these monkeys was observed – a behavior that turned out to be a key factor in their survival.

As reported on July 24th, 2023, at bioRxiv.org, researchers discovered that the rhesus macaques adapted to their drastically altered environment by forming new social bonds centered around the need for shade. The hurricane’s destructive force obliterated trees and plants across the island, leaving scarce sources of shelter from the intense heat that followed. This sudden scarcity of shade led the macaques to forge new relationships to increase their chances of survival.

Before Hurricane Maria, these macaques were typically hierarchical animals, often seen fighting for food, status, and mates. However, in the aftermath of the storm, the monkeys exhibited a change in their social dynamics. The traditional fights over resources gave way to a newfound sociability that brought individuals together. This shift in behavior allowed them to find refuge from the blistering heat beneath any trees that had managed to withstand the storm’s wrath, as well as any other available sources of shade.

Camille Testard, a behavioral ecologist and neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania, noted that the island’s vegetation has struggled to recover even more than five years after Hurricane Maria struck. With fewer than 600 living trees left, the once-lush Cayo Santiago was transformed into an environment with limited tree cover. Amid this scarcity, the macaques sought solace from the soaring temperatures by sharing shade, even seeking refuge in human shadows, water basins, and boulders.

The researchers embarked on a study to analyze the macaques’ behavior patterns before and after the hurricane, spanning a decade. This analysis revealed that the monkeys increasingly spent time close to each other during the heat of the afternoon, as opposed to the relatively cooler mornings. While the study didn’t specifically track whether the interactions occurred in shade or sunlight, the correlation between increased sociability and decreased mortality rate after the storm strongly suggests that the afternoon gatherings were taking place in shaded areas.

The significance of these findings lies in their demonstration of how behavior can play a crucial role in survival when faced with changing environments. Richard Buchholz, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Mississippi, remarked that the macaques’ newfound sociality could be a result of both tolerance and a desire to conserve energy. By remaining calm and avoiding the metabolic costs of aggression and exertion in the heat, the macaques were able to cope more effectively with the challenges brought about by Hurricane Maria.

However, there are potential downsides to this change in behavior. Another study by Testard, Brent, and colleagues, posted on July 19th at bioRxiv.org, used computer simulations to suggest that increased sociability among the macaques might facilitate the spread of infectious diseases. This underscores the delicate balance between adaptation and vulnerability that animals face when confronted with new environmental conditions.

Either way, the story of the rhesus macaques of Cayo Santiago serves as a testament to the power of adaptation and the intricate ways in which animals respond to the challenges posed by natural disasters. The once-fierce fights for resources have given way to a cooperative effort to find relief from the scorching sun.

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