Offspring number in pygmy marmosets, Cebuella pygmaea
*, in relation to group size and the number of adult males |
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Authors: | Eckhard W Heymann Pekka Soini |
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Institution: | Abteilung Verhaltensforschung und ?kologie Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Kellnerweg 4 D-37077 G?ttingen, Germany e-mail: eheyman@gwdg.de Tel.: +49-551-3851123, Fax: +49-551-3851291, DE Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana (IIAP) Av. Abelardo Qui?ones km 2, Apartado 784, Iquitos, Perú,
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Abstract: | In many species of birds and mammals with a co-operative breeding and rearing system, offspring survival is positively related
to the number of helpers. In the New World callitrichine primates (marmosets and tamarins), adult males are considered as
particularly valuable helpers, and female reproductive success may depend strongly on the males' contribution to infant care.
We analysed the number of offspring (infants, juveniles) in groups of wild pygmy marmosets, Cebuella pygmaea (Callitrichinae, Cebidae, Primates), in relation to the number of adult males and to the number of adult and subadult group
members. In contrast to other callitrichines with a co-operative system of infant care, no relationship was found between
the number of adult males and the number of infants and offspring. However, there was a significant positive relationship
between the number of juveniles and the number of adult and subadult group members. The lack of a relationship between infant
and adult-male number is interpreted as resulting from the reduced importance of adult males as helpers in pygmy marmosets
in comparison to other callitrichines, probably due to the reduced costs of infant care. The relationship between the number
of juveniles and the number of adult and subadult group members is in accordance with increased offspring survival in larger
groups, as observed in other primates.
Received: 1 February 1999 / Received in revised form: 5 June 1999 / Accepted: 29 June 1999 |
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Keywords: | Co-operative rearing Offspring survival Cebuella pygmaea Pygmy marmoset |
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