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Gussone L, García de la Chica A, Fernandez-Duque E. Intergroup encounters in pair-living primates: Comparative analysis and a case study of pair-living and monogamous owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) of Argentina. Am J Primatol 2024; 86:e23572. [PMID: 37919869 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
The function of intergroup encounters (IGEs) may differ substantially among species of different group sizes and social organizations. Research in group-living primates has shown that the behavioral responses during IGEs can vary widely from affiliative to neutral or aggressive interactions; still, little is known about IGEs in pair-living taxa. We conducted a systematic literature review to find relevant studies on the functions of IGEs in pair-living nonhuman primates that could inform analyses of IGE data (n = 242 IGEs, 21 groups and 10 solitary individuals, 1997-2020) from wild owl monkeys, a pair-living, monogamous primate with extensive biparental care. We identified 1315 studies published between 1965 and 2021; only 13 of them (n = 10 species) contained raw data on the number of IGEs. Our review of those studies showed that IGEs are common, but highly variable in their nature and characteristics in pair-living primates. To examine the non-mutually exclusive hypotheses of resource-, and mate defense, and infanticide avoidance we analyzed data from the Owl Monkey Project 27-year long database to build first an a priori model set. To incorporate prior knowledge from the literature review, we conducted our analyses as a consecutive series of binomial logistic regressions. All IGEs including all biologically relevant parameters (N = 156) were codified into three different behavioral categories (Reaction, Agonism, and Physical Aggression). The analysis showed that owl monkeys regularly engaged in IGEs, most of which were agonistic. They showed more reaction when infants were present, but reactions were less physically aggressive when infants and pregnant females were involved. Overall, our results lend more support for the infant and mate defense hypotheses than they do for the resource defense one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Gussone
- Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Bonn University, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Alba García de la Chica
- Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Owl Monkey Project-Fundación ECO, Formosa, Argentina
| | - Eduardo Fernandez-Duque
- Owl Monkey Project-Fundación ECO, Formosa, Argentina
- Department of Anthropology and School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Formosa, Formosa, Argentina
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2
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Cerrito P, Spear JK. Lack of evidence for coevolution between oxytocin receptor N-terminal variants and monogamy in placental mammals. Horm Behav 2023; 156:105437. [PMID: 37806189 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is a neurohypophyseal hormone that influences a wide range of affiliative behaviors, such as pair-bonding and infant care, across mammals. The effects of OXT depend significantly on an adequate interaction with its receptor, OXTR. OXTR belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor family. The extracellular N-terminal domain of OXTR interacts with the linear C-terminal tail of OXT and is required for OXT binding. Across mammalian species there is a genetic diversity in OXTR terminal sequence. Previous work on primates has shown an association between OXTR phylogeny and monogamy. However, it is not clear whether this variation coevolved with either mating system (monogamy) or infant care behaviors (such as allomaternal care). Here, we take a phylogenetic comparative and evolutionary modeling approach across a wide range of placental mammals (n = 60) to test whether OXTR N-terminal variants co-evolved with either monogamy or allomaternal care behaviors. Our results indicate that the diversity in OXTR N-terminal region is unlikely to provide the underlying genetic bases for variation in mating system and/or allomaternal behavior as we find no evidence for co-evolution between protein sequence and affiliative behaviors. Hence, the role played by OXT in influencing affiliative behaviors is unlikely to be mediated by the genetic diversity of its receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Cerrito
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, NY, USA; New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, USA; Collegium Helveticum, ETH, Zürich, Switzerland; Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Jeffrey K Spear
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, NY, USA; New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, USA.
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3
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Gómez Y, Berezowski J, Jorge YA, Gebhardt-Henrich SG, Vögeli S, Stratmann A, Toscano MJ, Voelkl B. Similarity in Temporal Movement Patterns in Laying Hens Increases with Time and Social Association. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:555. [PMID: 35268125 PMCID: PMC8908832 DOI: 10.3390/ani12050555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We explored the relationship between social associations and individual activity patterns in domestic hens. Out of 1420 laying hens, 421 hens were equipped with RFID tags attached to RFID-specific leg bands (leg bands from Company Roxan, Selkirk, Scotland) to continuously track their change in location across four different areas (one indoor and three outdoor areas). Using a combination of social network analysis for quantifying social relationships and dynamic time warping for characterizing the movement patterns of hens, we found that hens were consistent in their individual variation in temporal activity and maintained stable social relationships in terms of preferred association partners. In addition to being consistent, social associations correlated with movement patterns and this correlation strengthened over the period of observation, suggesting that the animals aligned their activity patterns with those of their social affiliates. These results demonstrate the importance of social relationships when considering the expression of individual behaviour. Notably, differences in temporal patterns emerge despite rather homogeneous rearing conditions, same environment, and low genetic diversity. Thus, while variation in behavioural phenotypes can be observed across isolated individuals, this study shows that the social environment within a group can shape and enhance variation in general movement patterns of individual animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamenah Gómez
- Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, Burgerweg 22, 3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland; (S.G.G.-H.); (S.V.); (A.S.); (M.J.T.)
| | - John Berezowski
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Yandy Abreu Jorge
- National Centre for Animal and Plant Health, San José de las Lajas 32700, Cuba;
| | - Sabine G. Gebhardt-Henrich
- Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, Burgerweg 22, 3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland; (S.G.G.-H.); (S.V.); (A.S.); (M.J.T.)
| | - Sabine Vögeli
- Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, Burgerweg 22, 3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland; (S.G.G.-H.); (S.V.); (A.S.); (M.J.T.)
| | - Ariane Stratmann
- Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, Burgerweg 22, 3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland; (S.G.G.-H.); (S.V.); (A.S.); (M.J.T.)
| | - Michael Jeffrey Toscano
- Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, Burgerweg 22, 3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland; (S.G.G.-H.); (S.V.); (A.S.); (M.J.T.)
| | - Bernhard Voelkl
- Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland;
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4
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Perea-Rodríguez JP, Corley MK, de la Iglesia H, Fernandez-Duque E. Thermoenergetic challenges and daytime behavioural patterns of a wild cathemeral mammal. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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5
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Garcia de la Chica A, Wood DB, Rotundo M, Fernandez‐Duque E. Responses of a pair‐living, sexually monogamous primate to the simulated presence of solitary individuals: A field playback experiment. Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - David Bechtel Wood
- Owl Monkey Project‐ Fundación ECO Formosa Argentina
- Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
| | | | - Eduardo Fernandez‐Duque
- Owl Monkey Project‐ Fundación ECO Formosa Argentina
- Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
- Universidad de Formosa Formosa Argentina
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6
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Corley M, Perea-Rodriguez JP, Valeggia C, Fernandez-Duque E. Associations between fecal cortisol and biparental care in a pair-living primate. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2021; 176:295-307. [PMID: 34272723 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We quantified variation in fecal cortisol across reproductive periods in Azara's owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) to examine physiological mechanisms that may facilitate biparental care. Specifically, we evaluated evidence for the explanation that owl monkeys have hormonal mechanisms to mobilize energy during periods when each sex is investing heavily in reproduction, that is, the gestation period for females and the infant care period for males. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 2011 and 2015, we monitored 10 groups of Azara's owl monkeys from a wild population in Formosa, Argentina and collected fecal samples from 26 adults (13 males, 13 females). Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, we quantified fecal cortisol as a proxy for evaluating stress responses, including energetic demands, on both sexes during periods of reproduction and parental care. RESULTS Male cortisol was lowest during periods when they were caring for young infants (<3 months) compared with periods with older infants or no infant. Female cortisol was elevated during gestation compared with other periods. Mean fecal cortisol in both males and females was lower when an infant was present compared with when females were gestating. DISCUSSION Our results do not support the hypothesis that owl monkey males have elevated fecal cortisol during periods when they need to mobilize energy to provide intensive infant care. Our findings are also inconsistent with the Maternal Relief hypothesis. However, results from studies measuring fecal cortisol must be interpreted with care and alternative explanations, such as seasonal fluctuations in diet and thermoenergic demands, should be considered when drawing conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Corley
- Department of Anthropology and School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Juan Pablo Perea-Rodriguez
- Project Conservémonos, Limon, Costa Rica.,WELL-PRIM Project, Eco-Anthropologie Lab (UMR 7602), Musée de l'Homme, Paris, France
| | - Claudia Valeggia
- Department of Anthropology and School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Eduardo Fernandez-Duque
- Department of Anthropology and School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Formosa, Formosa, Argentina
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7
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Van Belle S, Porter AM, Fernandez-Duque E, Di Fiore A. Ranging behavior and the potential for territoriality in pair-living titi monkeys (Plecturocebus discolor). Am J Primatol 2020; 83:e23225. [PMID: 33368565 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Patterns of ranging behavior and space use are key for evaluating current ideas about the evolution and maintenance of pair-living and sexual monogamy as they provide insights into the dispersion of females, the potential for territoriality, and whether males are limited to defending an area that can support only one female and her offspring. We examined ranging behavior and space use to evaluate the potential for territoriality in five groups of red titi monkeys (Plecturocebus discolor) during a 10-year study in Ecuadorian Amazonia. Mean home range size, calculated using a time-sensitive local convex hull estimation procedure, was 4.0 ± 1.4 ha. Annual home ranges of neighboring groups overlapped, on average, 0%-7%. Mean daily path length was 670 ± 194 m, resulting in defendability indices of 2.2-3.6 across groups. Groups visited, on average, 4 of 12 sections of their home range border area per day, but that was not more often than would be expected by chance, and intergroup encounters were infrequent. We did not find evidence of active monitoring for intruders in border areas, in that groups did not travel either faster or slower when at the border than when in central areas of their range. The absence of overt monitoring might be compensated for by engaging in loud calls, which the study groups did throughout their home ranges; these calls may serve as an advertisement of occupancy and a deterrent to intruding conspecifics. Our finding that red titis have a high potential for territoriality is consistent with several of the main hypotheses proposed to explain pair-living in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarie Van Belle
- Department of Anthropology and Primate Molecular Ecology and Evolution Laboratory, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Amy M Porter
- Department of Anthropology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Eduardo Fernandez-Duque
- Department of Anthropology and School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Formosa, Formosa, Argentina.,College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Cumbayá, Ecuador
| | - Anthony Di Fiore
- Department of Anthropology and Primate Molecular Ecology and Evolution Laboratory, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.,College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Cumbayá, Ecuador
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8
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Fernandez-Duque E, Huck M, Van Belle S, Di Fiore A. The evolution of pair-living, sexual monogamy, and cooperative infant care: Insights from research on wild owl monkeys, titis, sakis, and tamarins. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2020; 171 Suppl 70:118-173. [PMID: 32191356 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
"Monogamy" and pair bonding have long been of interest to anthropologists and primatologists. Their study contributes to our knowledge of human evolutionary biology and social evolution without the cultural trappings associated with studying human societies directly. Here, we first provide an overview of theoretical considerations, followed by an evaluation of recent comparative studies of the evolution of "social monogamy"; we are left with serious doubts about the conclusions of these studies that stem from the often poor quality of the data used and an overreliance on secondary sources without vetting the data therein. We then describe our field research program on four "monogamous" platyrrhines (owl monkeys, titis, sakis, and tamarins), evaluate how well our data support various hypotheses proposed to explain "monogamy," and compare our data to those reported on the same genera in comparative studies. Overall, we found a distressing lack of agreement between the data used in comparative studies and data from the literature for the taxa that we work with. In the final section, we propose areas of research that deserve more attention. We stress the need for more high-quality natural history data, and we urge researchers to be cautious about the uncritical use of variables of uncertain internal validity. Overall, it is imperative that biological anthropologists establish and follow clear criteria for comparing and combining results from published studies and that researchers, reviewers, and editors alike comply with these standards to improve the transparency, reproducibility, and interpretability of causal inferences made in comparative studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Fernandez-Duque
- Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.,Owl Monkey Project, Fundación ECO, Formosa, Argentina.,Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Formosa, Formosa, Argentina.,College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Maren Huck
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Derby, Derby, UK
| | - Sarie Van Belle
- Department of Anthropology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas.,Primate Molecular Ecology and Evolution Laboratory, University of Texas, Austin, Texas
| | - Anthony Di Fiore
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador.,Department of Anthropology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas.,Primate Molecular Ecology and Evolution Laboratory, University of Texas, Austin, Texas
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9
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Bonadonna G, Zaccagno M, Torti V, Valente D, De Gregorio C, Randrianarison RM, Tan C, Gamba M, Giacoma C. Intra- and Intergroup Spatial Dynamics of a Pair-Living Singing Primate, Indri indri: A Multiannual Study of Three Indri Groups in Maromizaha Forest, Madagascar. INT J PRIMATOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-019-00127-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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10
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Huck M, Di Fiore A, Fernandez-Duque E. Of Apples and Oranges? The Evolution of “Monogamy” in Non-human Primates. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
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11
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Sexual dimorphism in the loud calls of Azara's owl monkeys (Aotus azarae): evidence of sexual selection? Primates 2019; 61:309-319. [PMID: 31729621 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-019-00773-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Primates use different types of vocalizations in a variety of contexts. Some of the most studied types have been the long distance or loud calls. These vocalizations have been associated with mate defense, mate attraction, and resource defense, and it is plausible that sexual selection has played an important role in their evolution. Focusing on identified individuals of known sex and age, we evaluated the sexual dimorphism in a type of loud calls (hoots) in a population of wild owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) in Argentina. We found evidence of sexual dimorphism in call structure, with females and males only emitting one type of call, each differing in dominant frequency and Shannon entropy. In addition, both age-related and sex-specific differences in call usage were also apparent in response to the removal of one group member. Future acoustic data will allow us to assess if there are individual characteristics and if the structure of hoot calls presents differences in relation to the social condition of owl monkeys or specific sex responses to variants of hoot calls' traits. This will provide deeper insights into the evolution of vocal mechanisms regulating pair bonding and mate choice strategies in this and other primate species.
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12
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Turlure C, Schtickzelle N, Dubois Q, Baguette M, Dennis RLH, Van Dyck H. Suitability and Transferability of the Resource-Based Habitat Concept: A Test With an Assemblage of Butterflies. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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13
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Jacobs RL, Frankel DC, Rice RJ, Kiefer VJ, Bradley BJ. Parentage complexity in socially monogamous lemurs (Eulemur rubriventer
): Integrating genetic and observational data. Am J Primatol 2018; 80. [DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2017] [Revised: 12/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L. Jacobs
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology; The George Washington University; Washington District of Columbia
| | - David C. Frankel
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology; The George Washington University; Washington District of Columbia
| | - Riley J. Rice
- Department of Anthropology; Yale University; New Haven Connecticut
| | - Vera J. Kiefer
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology; The George Washington University; Washington District of Columbia
| | - Brenda J. Bradley
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology; The George Washington University; Washington District of Columbia
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14
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Burrows AM. Functional Morphology of Mimetic Musculature in Primates: How Social Variables and Body Size Stack up to Phylogeny. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2018; 301:202-215. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Burrows
- Department of Physical Therapy; Duquesne University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
- Department of Anthropology; University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
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15
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Corley M, Valeggia C, Fernandez-Duque E. Hormonal correlates of development and natal dispersal in wild female owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) of Argentina. Horm Behav 2017; 96:42-51. [PMID: 28870603 PMCID: PMC5722690 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Pair-living and socially monogamous primates typically do not reproduce before dispersing. It is currently unclear whether this reproductive suppression is due to endocrine or behavioral mechanisms. Cooperatively breeding taxa, like callitrichids, may forego reproduction in natal groups because they reap inclusive fitness benefits and/or they are avoiding inbreeding. However, neither of these benefits of delayed reproduction appear to adequately explain the lack of reproduction prior to leaving the natal group in pair-living monogamous species. In this study, we determined whether wild Azara's owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) in the Argentinean Chaco establish reproductive maturity prior to dispersing. We utilized 635 fecal extracts to characterize reproductive hormone profiles of 11 wild juvenile and subadult females using enzyme immunoassays. Subadult females showed hormone profiles indicative of ovulatory cycling and had mean PdG and E1G concentrations approximately five times higher than juveniles. Contrary to expectations from the inbreeding avoidance hypothesis, female owl monkeys do not delay puberty, but rather commence ovarian cycling while residing in their natal group. Still, subadults appear to have a period during which they experience irregular, non-conceptive cycles prior to reproducing. Commencing these irregular cycles in the natal group may allow them to develop a state of suspended readiness, which could be essential to securing a mate, while avoiding costs of ranging solitarily. Our results indicate that reproductive suppression in female owl monkeys is not due to endocrine suppression. We suggest that adults likely use behavioral mechanisms to prevent subadults from reproducing with unrelated adult males in their natal group.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eduardo Fernandez-Duque
- Yale University, Department of Anthropology, USA; Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, USA; Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Formosa, USA.
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16
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Corley MK, Xia S, Fernandez-Duque E. The role of intragroup agonism in parent-offspring relationships and natal dispersal in monogamous owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) of Argentina. Am J Primatol 2017; 79. [PMID: 29034979 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Agonistic behaviors are common in many group-living taxa and may serve a variety of functions, ranging from regulating conflicts over reproduction to defending food resources. However, high rates of agonism are not expected to occur among close relatives or individuals in established mating relationships, which are characteristics of monogamous groups. To contribute to our understanding of agonism within socially monogamous groups, we collected behavioral and demographic data from Azara's owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) in the Gran Chaco of Argentina over 14 years. We examined factors related to age, sex, kinship, and behavioral context to evaluate predictions of the hypotheses that agonism functions to regulate dispersal and that it mediates competition for food and/or mates. Intragroup agonism was relatively rare: the group rate was approximately one event every three and a half hours. Rates of agonism were generally similar for both sexes, but there were marked differences among age categories. Agonism performed by adults was more frequently directed at subadults than at younger offspring. In contrast, agonistic interactions involving infants were very rare. Among interactions between adults and subadults, adults were much more frequently the actors than the recipients, suggesting that agonism from adults may influence natal dispersal of subadults. Agonistic events were most frequent during foraging, but also occurred more frequently than expected during bouts of social behavior. Overall, our results suggest that agonism in owl monkeys serves as a mechanism for regulating dispersal, and also likely plays a role in mediating mating and feeding competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret K Corley
- Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Siyang Xia
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Eduardo Fernandez-Duque
- Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.,Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Formosa, Formosa, Argentina
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17
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Kappeler PM. Sex roles and adult sex ratios: insights from mammalian biology and consequences for primate behaviour. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2017; 372:20160321. [PMID: 28760762 PMCID: PMC5540861 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Theoretical models and empirical studies in various taxa have identified important links between variation in sex roles and the number of adult males and females (adult sex ratio (ASR)) in a population. In this review, I examine these relationships in non-human primates. Because most existing theoretical models of the evolution of sex roles focus on the evolutionary origins of sex-biased behaviour, they offer only a general scaffold for predicting variation in sex roles among and within species. I argue that studies examining sex role variation at these more specific levels need to take social organization into account to identify meaningful levels for the measurement of ASR and to account for the fact that ASR and sex roles mutually influence each other. Moreover, taxon-specific life-history traits can constrain sex role flexibility and impact the operational sex ratio (OSR) by specifying the minimum length of female time outs from reproduction. Using examples from the primate literature, I highlight practical problems in estimating ASR and OSR. I then argue that interspecific variation in the occurrence of indirect forms of paternal care might indeed be linked to variation in ASR. Some studies also indicate that female aggression and bonding, as well as components of inter-sexual relationships, are sensitive to variation in ASR. Thus, links between primate sex roles and sex ratios merit further study, and such studies could prompt the development of more specific theoretical models that make realistic assumptions about taxon-specific life history and social organization.This article is part of the themed issue 'Adult sex ratios and reproductive decisions: a critical re-examination of sex differences in human and animal societies'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Kappeler
- Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, Wallotstrasse 19, 14193 Berlin, Germany
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Sociobiology/Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Kellnerweg 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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Do Predators and Thermoregulation Influence Choice of Sleeping Sites and Sleeping Behavior in Azara’s Owl Monkeys (Aotus azarae azarae) in Northern Argentina? INT J PRIMATOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-016-9946-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Huck M, Juárez CP, Fernández-Duque E. Relationship between moonlight and nightly activity patterns of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and some of its prey species in Formosa, Northern Argentina. Mamm Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2016.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Alfonso-Durruty MP, Valeggia CR. Growth patterns among indigenous Qom children of the Argentine Gran Chaco. Am J Hum Biol 2016; 28:895-904. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marta P. Alfonso-Durruty
- Department of Anthropology, Sociology & Social-Work; Kansas State University; 008 Waters Hall Manhattan Kansas
| | - Claudia R. Valeggia
- Department of Anthropology; Yale University; 10 Sachem St. New Haven Connecticut
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Mundy NI, Morningstar NC, Baden AL, Fernandez-Duque E, Dávalos VM, Bradley BJ. Can colour vision re-evolve? Variation in the X-linked opsin locus of cathemeral Azara's owl monkeys (Aotus azarae azarae). Front Zool 2016; 13:9. [PMID: 26913052 PMCID: PMC4765118 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-016-0139-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Do evolutionary specializations lead to evolutionary constraint? This appears plausible, particularly when specialization leads to loss of complex adaptations. In the owl monkey lineage, nocturnality clearly arose from a diurnal ancestor. This behavioural shift was accompanied by morphological changes in the eye and orbit and complete loss of colour vision via missense mutations in the gene encoding the short-wave sensitive visual pigment (SWS opsin). Interestingly, at least one subspecies of owl monkey, Azara's owl monkey (Aotus azarae azarae), has regained activity in daylight. Given that all primate species that are active in daylight, including primarily diurnal species and species that are active during both day and night, have at least dichromatic colour vision, it seems reasonable to propose that dichromacy would be adaptive in A. a. azarae. With a disabled SWS opsin, the main avenue available for Azara's owl monkeys to re-evolve colour vision is via a polymorphism in the intact X-linked opsin locus, which commonly occurs in other New World monkeys. To examine this possibility we assayed variation in the X-linked opsin of A. a. azarae, focusing on the three exons (3, 4 and 5) that control spectral sensitivity. RESULTS We found low opsin genetic variation on a population level, and no differences at the three main sites that lead to variation in spectral sensitivity in the opsins of other New World monkeys. Two rare alleles with single amino acid variants are segregating in the population, but previous functional studies indicate that these are unlikely to affect spectral sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Genetic constraint on the re-evolution of colour vision is likely operating in Azara's owl monkey, which may affect the niche that this subspecies is able to occupy.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. I. Mundy
- />Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - A. L. Baden
- />Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
- />Department of Anthropology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, USA
| | - E. Fernandez-Duque
- />Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
- />Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA
- />Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Formosa, Formosa, Argentina
| | - V. M. Dávalos
- />Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Formosa, Formosa, Argentina
| | - B. J. Bradley
- />Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
- />Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC USA
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Pearson SK, Godfrey SS, Bull CM, Gardner MG. Larger lizards live longer in the group-living Egernia stokesii. AUST J ZOOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/zo16024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Animal space use has implications for gene flow, disease dynamics, mating systems and the evolution of sociality. Given recent attention to sociality in reptiles, lizards are an important group for expanding our understanding of animal space use. Lizard space use is commonly investigated within one population over a short period and limited attention has been given to potential predictors of site fidelity. This study evaluated site fidelity in three populations of group-living Egernia stokesii (gidgee skink) between two field surveys separated by almost a decade. Of 43 recaptured lizards, 28 (65%) occupied their original space, and 15 (36%) of those shared their space with the same other lizard or lizards in both surveys. This confirmed long-term site and social bond fidelity in E. stokesii. We found that larger lizards were more likely to be recaptured. Neither body size, individual genetic heterozygosity, nor the availability of refuges strongly predicted whether lizards were recaptured in the same or a different place. The reasons why some lizards stayed in the same space while others moved are yet to be resolved.
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