Seasonality of reproduction in wild cotton‐top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) in Colombia

Abstract

Seasonal availability of resources can influence the timing and success of reproduction in primates. This study examines the annual pattern of conceptions, mid‐term (13 weeks) and full‐term (26 weeks) pregnancy losses, births, and infant survivorship of the Critically Endangered cotton‐top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) at Proyecto Tití's long‐term field site in Santa Catalina, Colombia. Using 18 years of behavior, physical exam, and fecal steroid data (N = 51 females, 168 conceptions, 121 liters), fecal estrone conjugate (E1C) and pregnanediol‐3‐glucuronide (PdG) or progesterone (P4) profiles were examined to investigate the relationships between female reproductive patterns and reproductive success with feeding and climatic data. Cotton‐top tamarins demonstrated seasonal patterns of reproduction and pregnancy losses. We found positive correlations between peak conception and nectarivory, births and rainfall, and mid‐lactation and frugivory. High body mass mothers reproducing during the peak season were more likely to have infants survive. Overall, these results suggest that tamarins use a “relaxed income‐breeder” strategy. Cotton‐top tamarins appear to maximize reproductive output at the time of ovulation, and can reduce their investment in the current reproductive effort at many stages. Changes in food availability due to habitat loss and climate change will require the Critically Endangered cotton‐top tamarins to alter their reproductive strategies to survive.

The impacts of seasonal variation and climate on food utilization in a population of critically endangered cotton‐top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) in Colombia: A 22‐year longitudinal study

“…By focusing on the entire population rather than individual groups, we collected data across multiple regions within this study area and multiple groups over multiple years, rather than use potentially biased observations of a small number of groups over a smaller time period. We observed 21 groups of cotton-top tamarins with at least 1 full year of behavioral observations and with a median female reproductive tenure of 7 years (range 2-18 years) (Savage et al, 2021;Wheaton et al, 2022) during the 22 years of this study. Average annual group size…”

Assessing the genetic composition of cotton‐top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) before sweeping anthropogenic impact

“…Very little is known about the genetic diversity (Gyllensten et al, 1994), population structure and evolutionary history of the cotton-top tamarin as the majority of previous studies on the species have focussed on either their relevance for the biomedical industry (Bertone et al, 1998;Wood et al, 1998), their demography, social behaviour and reproduction in long-term field studies (Savage et al, 1996(Savage et al, , 1997(Savage et al, , 2009(Savage et al, , 2021(Savage et al, , 2022Wheaton et al, 2022) or detangling the phylogenetic relationships of the species within the Callitrichidae family (Brcko et al, 2022;Buckner et al, 2015).…”

“…Very little is known about the genetic diversity (Gyllensten et al, 1994), population structure and evolutionary history of the cotton‐top tamarin as the majority of previous studies on the species have focussed on either their relevance for the biomedical industry (Bertone et al, 1998; Wood et al, 1998), their demography, social behaviour and reproduction in long‐term field studies (Savage et al, 1996, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2022; Wheaton et al, 2022) or detangling the phylogenetic relationships of the species within the Callitrichidae family (Brcko et al, 2022; Buckner et al, 2015). However, given the history of mass exportation and extensive illegal trafficking of the cotton‐top tamarin, together with loss of habitat, it is possible they would have suffered a reduction in genetic variation during the last century, as has been seen in other species that have experienced similar pressures (Sánchez‐Barreiro et al, 2021; van der Valk et al, 2019).…”

Evaluating genital skin color as a putative sexual signal in wild saddleback (Leontocebus weddelli) and emperor (Saguinus imperator) tamarins

“…Moreover, callitrichids are remarkable for the extensive care that group members provide for infants and juveniles (i.e., cooperative care; Goldizen, 2003), with multiple individuals participating in infant care (Garber, 1997; Yamamoto et al, 2009). The high level of involvement by nonparents is hypothesized to be an adaptation to their unique set of reproductive traits, which also includes high fecundity, twin births, and relatively large infant size (Leutenegger, 1980; Wheaton et al, 2022). Relatedly, physiological and behavioral suppression of ovulation can occur in callitrichids, as nonbreeding adult females suppress their reproductive function while they are living in the same group as the breeding female (Saltzman, 2017).…”

“…The high level of involvement by nonparents is hypothesized to be an adaptation to their unique set of reproductive traits, which also includes high fecundity, twin births, and relatively large infant size (Leutenegger, 1980;Wheaton et al, 2022). Relatedly, physiological and behavioral suppression of ovulation can occur in callitrichids, as nonbreeding adult females suppress their reproductive function while they are living in the same group as the breeding female (Saltzman, 2017).…”