Paternity analysis of alternative male reproductive routes among the langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) of Ramnagar

Launhardt, Kristin; Borries, Carola; Hardt, Cornelia; Epplen, Jörg T.; Winkler, Paul

doi:10.1006/anbe.2000.1590

Cited by 65 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Thus, extended and overlapping periods of receptivity in which ovulation is e¡ectively concealed provide a situation in which paternity confusion will occur. That paternity in our study group is, in fact, confused can be reasonably assumed from the genetic data showing that paternity is not restricted to the dominant male and that non-dominant (and occasionally extra-group) males sire a substantial proportion of o¡spring (see also Launhardt et al 2001). Since, however, female langurs do not solicit copulations from a speci¢c male, as seen for example in capuchins (Janson 1984) and lemurs (Pereira & Weiss 1991;Richard 1992), we consider it unlikely that females are attempting to pre-determine paternity outcome.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

Loss of oestrus, concealed ovulation and paternity confusion in free-ranging Hanuman langurs

Hestermann

Ziegler

Schaik

et al. 2001

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

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120

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Ovarian cycles in catarrhine primates are uniquely characterized by prolonged periods of sexual activity in which the timings of ovulation and copulation do not necessarily correspond. According to current hypotheses of primate social evolution, extended sexuality in multi-male groups might represent part of a female strategy to confuse paternity in order to reduce the risk of infanticide by males. We test this hypothesis by examining mating behaviour in relation to timing of ovulation and paternity outcome in a multi-male group of free-living Hanuman langurs. Using faecal progestogen measurements, we ¢rst document that female langurs have extended receptive periods in which the timing of ovulation is highly variable. Next, we demonstrate the capacity for paternity confusion by showing that ovulation is concealed from males and that copulations progressively decline throughout the receptive phase. Finally, we demonstrate multiple paternity, and show that despite a high degree of monopolization of receptive females by the dominant male, non-dominant males father a substantial proportion of o¡spring. We believe that this is the ¢rst direct evidence that extended periods of sexual activity in catarrhine primates may have evolved as a female strategy to confuse paternity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

Loss of oestrus, concealed ovulation and paternity confusion in free-ranging Hanuman langurs

Hestermann

Ziegler

Schaik

et al. 2001

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

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120

100

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“…Genetic data suggest an association between relatedness on the one hand and affiliative and cooperative social behavior on the other for taxa such as howler monkeys and some cercopithecines, but no such an association is seen in other taxa (e.g., chimpanzees). Despite the close male bonds among chimpanzees, male social partners are no more likely to be maternal kin than nonkin, and average male-male relatedness within communities is no greater than aver- Launhardt et al (2001) age female-female relatedness. Additionally, even though several lemur species appear to be organized along matrilineal kin lines, female social bonds in these taxa appear to be poorly developed, at least in comparison to many female-philopatric cercopithecines.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, in both unimale and multimale groups, some paternity was assigned to extragroup males, hinting that some males in this population pursued alternative routes to reproductive success. Launhardt et al (2001) further explored the consequences of alternative male reproductive strategies among gray langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) occupying different social positions in a population at Ramnagar, Nepal. Both single-male and multimale groups are common in this population, and breeding is seasonal (Koenig et al, 1997).…”

Section: Studies Of Mating Systems and Reproductive Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alpha males sired 57% of infants born into multimale groups, while other resident males sired 22%; the remaining 21% of infants had to have been sired by nonresident males. Combining these short-term data on reproductive success with long-term demographic data on the same population, Launhardt et al (2001) concluded that the difference in lifetime reproductive success between harem-holders, alpha males in multimale groups, and nonalpha males is likely to be substantial. Thus, selection for behavioral characteristics that influence a males' likelihood of assuming a position as a harem-holder is expected to be quite strong.…”

Section: Studies Of Mating Systems and Reproductive Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular genetic approaches to the study of primate behavior, social organization, and reproduction

Fiore

2003

Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.

106

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In the past several decades, the development of novel molecular techniques and the advent of noninvasive DNA sampling, coupled with the ease and speed with which molecular analyses can now be performed, have made it possible for primatologists to directly examine the fitness effects of individual behavior and to explore how variation in behavior and social systems influences primate population genetic structure. This review describes the theoretical connections between individual behavior and primate social systems on the one hand and population genetic structure on the other, discusses the kinds of molecular markers typically employed in genetic studies of primates, and summarizes what primatologists have learned from molecular studies over the past few decades about dispersal patterns, mating systems, reproductive strategies, and the influence of kinship on social behavior. Several important conclusions can be drawn from this overview. First, genetic data confirm that, in many species, male dominance rank and fitness are positively related, at least over the short term, though this relationship need not simply be a reflection of malemale contest competition over mates. More importantly, genetic research reveals the significance of female choice in determining male reproductive success, and documents the efficacy of alternative mating tactics among males. Second, genetic data suggest that the presumed importance of kinship in structuring primate social relationships needs to be evaluated further, at least for some taxa such as chimpanzees in which demographic factors may be more important than relatedness. I conclude this paper by offering several suggestions of additional ways in which molecular techniques might be employed in behavioral and ecological studies of primates (e.g., for conducting "molecular censuses" of unhabituated populations, for studying disease and host-parasite interactions, or for tracking seed fate in studies of seed dispersal) and by providing a brief introduction to the burgeoning field of nonhuman primate behavioral genetics. Yrbk Phys Anthropol 46:62-99, 2003.

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“…Instead, DNA obtained from wadges, faeces, plucked hairs and shed hairs collected from night nests has provided a wealth of data on phylogeography, gene flow, social structure and kinship in wild chimpanzees (Constable et al 2001;Vigilant et al 2001), gorillas (Jensen-Seaman and Kidd 2001), bonobos (Gerloff et al 1999), Hanuman langurs (Launhardt et al 2001), orangutans (Utami et al 2002) and lemurs (Nievergelt et al 2002). Microsatellite genotyping was performed on faecal samples from an Indonesian orangutan (Pongo pygameus abelii) population that has been the subject of a long-term behavioural study with an emphasis on male reproductive strategies (Utami et al 2002).…”

Section: Non-invasive Samples As a Novel Source Of Phylogenetic Popumentioning

confidence: 99%

Remote collection of animal DNA and its applications in conservation management and understanding the population biology of rare and cryptic species

Piggott¹,

Taylor²

2003

Wildl. Res.

155

127

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Abstract.Obtaining useful information about elusive or endangered species can be logistically difficult, particularly if relying entirely on field signs such as hair, feathers or faeces. However, recent developments in molecular technology add substantially to the utility of such 'non-invasive' samples, which provide a source of DNA that can be used to identify not only species but also individuals and their gender. This provides great potential to improve the accuracy of abundance estimates and determine behavioural parameters, such as home-range size, individual habitat and dietary preferences, and even some forms of social interaction. Non-invasive samples can also be a useful alternative to blood or tissue samples (the collection of which traditionally has required trapping of animals) as genetic material for applications such as relatedness, population genetic and phylogenetic analyses. Despite the huge potential of non-invasive genetic sampling, the current technology does have limitations. The low quantity and quality of DNA often obtained from such sources results in an increased risk of genotyping errors, which may lead to incorrect inferences, particularly false identification of individuals. Appropriate precautions and pilot studies are required to minimise these risks, and in some cases it may be wise to employ traditional methods when they are adequate.

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Paternity analysis of alternative male reproductive routes among the langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) of Ramnagar

Cited by 65 publications

References 51 publications

Loss of oestrus, concealed ovulation and paternity confusion in free-ranging Hanuman langurs

Loss of oestrus, concealed ovulation and paternity confusion in free-ranging Hanuman langurs

Molecular genetic approaches to the study of primate behavior, social organization, and reproduction

Remote collection of animal DNA and its applications in conservation management and understanding the population biology of rare and cryptic species

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