Matrilineal genetic structure within and among populations of the cooperatively breeding common marmoset,Callithrix jacchus

Abstract

Common marmosets are members of the family Callitrichidae, South American primates characterized by highly social group living and cooperative breeding. In this study we analysed 1112 base pairs (bp) of the mitochondrial control region in 59 Callithrix jacchus individuals, sampled mainly from two geographically distinct field sites in N.E. Brazil. Analysis of molecular variation revealed a highly significant genetic structuring of haplotypes between social groups and between populations. Examination of matrilineal genetic structure within social groups revealed that seven of nine recorded breeding pairs were from different maternal lineages, indicating assortative mating and outbreeding. In addition to the breeders, at least six of 10 groups contained adult individuals from different matrilines, with five haplotypes present in one social group of nine animals. Groups of mixed lineages raise questions about potential reproductive conflicts of interest, and the extent of kin-selected altruism in the evolution and maintenance of cooperative breeding in this species.

Two Breeding Females within Free-Living Groups May Not Always Indicate Polygyny: Alternative Subordinate Female Strategies in Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

“…Relatedness between females was assessed by monitoring the birth of the younger females in groups Quatro (subgroups 6 and 7) and Espanha (3). Faulkes et al [2003] reported the same mitochondrial haplotype for Espanha females, confirming our observations. For both occurrences of the Belem group (1 and 2), Nievergelt et al [2000] reported a coefficient of relatedness around 0.50, indicating that the females were probably mother and daughter or sisters.…”

Genetic Analysis Reveals Population Structuring and a Bottleneck in the Black-Faced Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara)

“…Reproduction is normally restricted to 1 and occasionally 2 lion tamarin females per group [Goldizen, 1990;Dietz et al, 1996]. Furthermore, dominant callitrichid males sire the majority of the offspring born in their group [Nievergelt et al, 2000;Faulkes et al, 2003;Huck et al, 2005]. Field data provide evidence that aggressive behaviour on the part of the dominant individual limits the access of same-sex subordinates to the opposite sex for mating [Abbott et al, 1993;Baker et al, 1993].…”

Non-random association of opsin alleles in wild groups of red-bellied tamarins ( Saguinus labiatus ) and maintenance of the colour vision polymorphism

“…For example, it could help to explain how alleles are maintained at low frequencies (the estimated frequency of the 556 nm allele in this population is 0.13, and this allele appears to be generally rare in tamarins (Saguinus) and lion tamarins (Leontopithecus; Surridge & Mundy 2002; in press), and how three alleles have been maintained in most lineages over very long periods of evolutionary time (Surridge & Mundy 2002). As inbreeding avoidance has been documented in other marmosets and tamarins (Nievergelt et al 2000;Faulkes et al 2003;Huck et al 2005), the pattern found here may be general for callitrichids.…”