Mother-male bond, but not paternity, influences male-infant affiliation in wild crested macaques.

ABSTRACT:

Abstract

In promiscuous primates, interactions between adult males and infants have rarely been investigated. However, recent evidence suggests that male affiliation towards infants has an influence on several aspects of the infants' life. Furthermore, affiliations may be associated with male reproductive strategy. In this study, we examined which social factors influenced male-infant affiliation initiated by either male or infant, in wild crested macaques (Macaca nigra). We combined behavioral data and genetic paternity analysis from 30 infants living in three wild groups in Tangkoko Reserve, Indonesia. Our results indicate that adult males and infants do not interact at random, but rather form preferential associations. The social factors with the highest influence on infa

SUBMITTER: Kerhoas D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4954837 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature