Energy intake, energy expenditure, and reproductive costs of female wild golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia)

Abstract

Callitrichid females are often described as energetically constrained. We examined the energy budgets of 10 female wild golden lion tamarins (GLTs, Leontopithecus rosalia) in an effort to understand how energy intake and expenditure might influence physical condition and therefore reproductive performance. We used focal animal sampling to record behavioral data and conducted energy analyses of foods consumed by GLTs to estimate intake and expenditure. We used two-tailed Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to compare intake in the reproductive vs. nonreproductive period and expenditure in the reproductive vs. nonreproductive period. Energy intake decreased during the reproductive period compared to the nonreproductive period. While total expenditure did not vary significantly across the two periods, females spent more time and therefore expended significantly more energy engaged in energetically inexpensive behaviors (i.e., sleeping or being stationary) during the reproductive period compared to the nonreproductive period. We suggest that reproductive female GLTs may adopt a reproductive strategy that includes high intake prior to pregnancy and lactation, and energy conservation during pregnancy and lactation.

Pregnancy is a drag: hydrodynamics, kinematics and performance in pre- and post-parturition bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

“…Prelaying common eiders (Somateria mollissima) are even rendered flightless (Guillemette and Ouellet, 2005). In addition to lowered performance, pregnant animals also exhibit increased sedentary periods, as evident in numerous primates (Miller et al, 2006), sea lions (Zalophus californianus) (Williams et al, 2007) and bats (Glossophaga soricina) (Voigt, 2003). The reduced locomotor performance of these reproductive females has profound implications for predator avoidance, particularly for animals that live in open, seemingly featureless habitats that rely on speed to avoid predators (i.e.…”

Foraging decisions in a capital breeder: trade-offs between mass gain and lactation

“…While lactating females of some species may compensate by reducing metabolic expenditures (e.g. by reducing locomotor activities, Miller et al 2006;fasting, Mellish et al 2000; entering periodic torpor, Racey and Speakman 1987) or by increasing metabolic efficiency (Mellish et al 2000), females of most species are expected to increase nutrient intake during lactation (Bunnell and Gillingham 1985). For example, increase nutrient intake has been observed in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus; Künkele and Trillmich 1997), koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus; Krockenberger 2003), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus; Laurenson 1995), ruminants (Arnold 1985) and humans (Dufour et al 2002).…”

Integration of proximate and evolutionary explanation of reproductive strategy: The case of callitrichid primates and implications for human biology

“…Marmoset and tamarin mothers have been found to show altered patterns of behavior during lactation. Golden Lion tamarin females show decreased energy output during lactation with decreased foraging and movement efforts and increased time spent resting (Miller et al, 2006). Wied's black tufted ear marmosets (Callithrix kuhlii) have been found to decrease carrying time of infants if they become pregnant during the first postpartum ovulation; they also decrease carrying time with increases in the number of helpers in the group (Fite et al, 2005a).…”