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Xia W, Zhao M, Wang D, Wang F, Chen H, Liu G, Zhu L, Li D. Invasion and defense of the basic social unit in a nonhuman primate society leads to sexual differences in the gut microbiome. Integr Zool 2021; 17:168-180. [PMID: 34751507 PMCID: PMC9299848 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Multilevel society is one of the most complex social systems in natural ecosystems and is a typical feature among some primates. Given the potential connection between social behavior and gut microbiome composition, the multilevel social system could affect the primate gut microbiome. Here, based on long‐term observation (e.g. social unit dynamics, transfer, and behavior), we investigated this potential integrating 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and behavior data in Yunnan snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti), which possess a multilevel social group based on one male units (OMUs, each unit with several breeding females and their offspring) and all‐male unit (AMU, several bachelor males residing together). We found that the mean unweighted Unifrac distance between adult males from different OMUs was significantly lower than that between adult females from different OMUs (paired Wilcoxon test, P = 0.007). There was no significant difference in the mean unweighted Unifrac distance between females within the same OMU or between females from different OMUs. These findings indicated the potential connection between the defense and invasion of social units and the gut microbiome community in wild Yunnan snub‐nosed monkeys. We speculated that the resident males of OMUs displaying a significantly higher similarity in the gut microbial community than that of adult females in separate OMUs might be associated with the sexual differences in their interactions and from previously having cohabitated together in the AMU. Therefore, this study suggested that multilevel societies might have an effect on the gut microbial community in this wild nonhuman primate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wancai Xia
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.,Institute of Rare Animals and Plants, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Mei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.,Institute of Rare Animals and Plants, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Dali Wang
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.,Institute of Rare Animals and Plants, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Fan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.,Institute of Rare Animals and Plants, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Mingkef Biotechnology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoqi Liu
- Mingkef Biotechnology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lifeng Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dayong Li
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.,Institute of Rare Animals and Plants, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
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Xia W, Grueter CC, Ren B, Zhang D, Yuan X, Li D. Determinants of Harem Size in a Polygynous Primate: Reproductive Success and Social Benefits. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102915. [PMID: 34679936 PMCID: PMC8532613 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We used long-term data on the variation in harem size in Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys to research the effects of harem size on reproductive success and the ratio of grooming received to given (RGRG). The results suggest that harem holders derive reproductive benefits commensurate with harem size, whereas the females' reproductive success is unaffected by harem size. Males of larger harems groomed less and had higher RGRG than males of smaller harems. In the case of females, grooming given increased, and RGRG decreased with an increase in harem size. The males' reproductive success seems to be a driver of harem size maximization. From the females' perspective, dwindling social benefits appear to set the upper limit for harem enlargement. We also showed that males of monogamous units ('single-female harems') invested more into grooming their female, presumably to prevent unit disintegration and loss of mating privileges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wancai Xia
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China;
- Institute of Rare Animals and Plants, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China
| | - Cyril C. Grueter
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- International Centre of Biodiversity and Primate Conservation, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
| | - Baoping Ren
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
| | - Dejun Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China; (D.Z.); (X.Y.)
| | - Xiaoxia Yuan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China; (D.Z.); (X.Y.)
| | - Dayong Li
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China;
- Institute of Rare Animals and Plants, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China
- Correspondence:
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