124 research outputs found
Matrilineal behavioral and physiological changes following the death of a non-alpha matriarch in rhesus macaque
In many species, the loss of alpha matriarchs is associated with a number of negative outcomes such as troop fission, eviction, wounding, and reduced vitality. However, whether
the dramatic consequences of their loss are due to their role as an old experienced figure or
to their alpha status remains unclear. In a retrospective study, we tested that in a semi-free
ranging colony of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), the removal of a non-alpha matriarch, who had a large set of kin, led to changes in behavior and physiological stress within
her matriline. Following her removal, her matriline increased in aggression, vigilance, and
social grooming. Additionally, hierarchical stability, measured by levels of rank changes,
decreased within her matriline, and levels of intense aggression by high-ranking animals
were more frequent, as well as matrilineal wounding. Although ordinal rank was positively
associated with higher chronic hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs) in the months before the
matriarch’s removal, following her removal, only those who experienced large increases in
rank within her matriline displayed higher HCCs. Changes in matrilineal stability, aggression, behavior, and HCCs within the other two matrilines in the troop were not evident,
although caution is needed due to the small sample sizes. We conclude that the removal of
the non-alpha matriarch led to matrilineal instability, characterized by higher levels of
aggression and subsequent vigilance, rank changes, physiological stress, and grooming.
We suggest that non-alpha matriarchs with a large number of kin and social support can be
integral to the stability of matrilines.Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 1ZIAHD001107- 3
Reproductive and Life History Parameters of Wild Female Macaca assamensis
Information on basic reproductive parameters and life-history traits is crucial for the understanding of primate evolution, ecology, social behavior, and reproductive strategies. Here, we report 4 yr of data on reproductive and life-history traits for wild female Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, northeastern Thailand. During 2 consecutive reproductive seasons, we investigated reproductive behavior and sexual swelling size in 16 females and collected 1832 fecal samples. Using enzyme immunoassays, we measured fecal estrogen and progesterone metabolites to assess ovarian activity and timing of ovulation and to ascertain conceptions and pregnancies. Timing of reproduction was strictly seasonal (births: April–July, 86% in April–June, 4 yr, n = 29; conceptions: October–February, 65% in December–January, 2 yr, n = 17). Females showed no cyclic ovarian activity outside the mating season and conceived in their first or second cycle (mean: 1.2 cycles to conception, n = 13). Gestation length was on average 164.2 d (range: 158–170, n = 10), and females had their first infant at an age of 5 yr (n = 4). Interbirth intervals were bimodally distributed, with females giving birth on average every 13.9 or 23.2 mo. Shorter interbirth intervals were linked to early parturition within the birth season. Most females displayed subcaudal sexual swellings which, however, did not reliably indicate female reproductive status or fertility. Overall, our results fall within the range of findings reported for other macaque species. These results thus add to the growing body of information available for wild macaques, facilitating comparative studies for a better understanding of interspecific differences in social and reproductive patterns
Coordination of Group Movements in Wild Red-fronted Lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons): Processes and Influence of Ecological and Reproductive Seasonality
Serum and transforming growth factor beta regulate glial fibrillary acidic protein in serum-free-derived mouse embryo cells.
Prognostic Value of Plasma Oestradiol-17β and Human Placental Lactogen in High-risk Pregnancies
Synchronization of weaning time with peak fruit availability in squirrel monkeys ( Saimiri collinsi
Differences in home ranges of rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) groups living in three ecological habitats
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