Parental care in the buffy-tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix aurita) in wild and captive groups

Abstract

Studies on cooperative care of offspring in callitrichid primates are biased in favor of observations in captivity. In the wild, however, individuals have to deal with environmental pressures, which may influence their social behavior. We compared the individual effort attributed to parental care offered by members of a wild group (couple, plus a subadult helper) and two captive groups (A: couple, plus an subadult helper, B: couple, plus four adult helpers) of the buffy-tufted-ear marmoset, Callithrix aurita, from weeks 1-12 after the infants' birth. The carrier (breeding male and female or helper) and the infant's feeding (food sharing and foraging for food) were recorded. Up to week four, while the wild breeding pair shared infant carrying at similar proportions, the male from captive group A carried 100% of the time. Adult helpers from group B were the main carriers. Carrying behavior extended up to week 12 only in the wild group. Food provisioning to the infant was observed earlier in the groups wild and A, but general proportion of feeding records was lower in the wild than in captivity. Energetic cost of travelling and searching for food may be associated with equal division of carrying behavior by the wild breeding pair. Higher proportions of carrying in the groups wild and B may have delayed the development of the infants' motor skills required in foraging. Our data agree with previous studies: the father's lower investment in carrying when adult helpers are present and lower contribution of subadult non-reproductive members. e A, mas a proporção total do número de registros foi menor na natureza. Os custos do deslocamento e forrageio podem estar associados à divisão igualitária do transporte pelo par silvestre. Maiores freqüências de transporte nos grupos silvestre e B podem ter provocado um atraso no desenvolvimento das habilidades motoras dos filhotes, as quais são necessárias no forrageio. Os dados concordam com estudos anteriores: menor investimento no transporte pelo macho reprodutor na presença de adultos ajudantes e baixa contribuição de ajudantes subadultos no carregamento.

Cross‐genus adoption of a marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) by wild capuchin monkeys (Cebus libidinosus): case report

“…Attraction on the part of capuchins toward infants of other primate species (Brachyteles and Alouatta) has also been observed in the wild (Izar, personal observation). Food-sharing, an important component of parental care in marmosets [e.g., Ferrari, 1987;Santos & Martins, 2000], is also common in capuchins in the form of tolerated scrounging [Ottoni et al, 2005;Verderane, 2005]. Finally, the carrier of the infant probably incurred a minimal cost, given the small size of the marmoset relative to the capuchins, and the food provided for the animals.…”

Modeling Developmental Class Provides Insights into Individual Contributions to Infant Survival in Callitrichids

“…Mature males may be motivated by having access to mating opportunities with a dominant female, rather than seeking pair-bonds with subdominant, less experienced females. Males also ensure the success of offspring they may have fathered and lower overall energetic investment per infant (Achenbach and Snowdon 2002;Beehner and Lu 2013;Burkart 2015;Santos and Martins 2000;Washabaugh et al 2002). Moreover, all mature individuals can gain improved territory defence in larger groups (Bales et al 2000;Lazaro-Perea 2001).…”

The impact of paternity on male–infant association in a primate with low paternity certainty

“…In species with high paternity certainty, paternal care can therefore be expected (Geary ). Indeed, paternal care has been demonstrated in several mammalian species, living in one male groups (rodents: Makin & Porter ; Gubernick & Teferi ; Trainor & Marler ; Jones & Wynne‐Edwards ; primates: Santos & Martins ) where males provide food, transport and associate with offspring.…”