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In multi-male groups, distribution of paternity over different males has an important effect on genetic relatedness between group members and thus considerable consequences for social group life. In primates, variation in male reproductive skew is remarkably high, but little is known to date about the proximate mechanisms leading to this variation. We therefore investigate the factors potentially influencing male offspring production and survival in primate groups, using macaques as the model. Our studies concern questions such as how do males achieve and maintain dominance, what are the costs and benefits of female monopolisation, what is the function of sexual signals, and which mechanisms underlie sperm competition. Results of our programme will help us to better understand the puzzling pattern of paternal relatedness found in primate multi-male groups and thus ultimately help in explaining the variation in social behaviour and style found within the primate taxon. |
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We would like to draw your attention to the upcoming EUPRIM-Net Course
on Primate Sociobiology, Husbandry & Nutrition (for scientists, veterinarians and students). More detailed information see
Information content of female copulation calls in wild long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 2012,66: 121-134 Combining behavioural observations with acoustic analysis we found that in long-tailed macaques, female copulation calls signal mating outcome and rank of the mating partner, but not female reproductive status. Furthermore, they convey information on whether a female is mate-guarded or not. We suspect that the function of these calls is manipulation of male mating and mate-guarding behaviour and that in this way the degree of sperm competition and ultimately male reproductive success is influenced.
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