Patterns of Paternity in Relation To Male Social Rank in the Stumptailed Macaque, Macaca Arctoides

Abstract

AbstractThe macaques have been a central focus of research designed to illuminate the interrelationship of behaviour and patterns of genetic transmission in non-human primates. Due to unique aspects of the socio-sexual behaviour and reproductive biology of stumptailed macaques (Macaca arctoides), we hypothesized a stronger relationship between male status and reproductive success than has been documented in other macaque species. The relationship between male social rank and success in siring offspring was examined for a sequence of 27 infants born over an 8-year period (1984-1992) in a large captive social group. Paternity of 25 of the 27 infants (all those still living at the time of testing) was confirmed with the use of "DNA profile tests" using mini-satellite, multi-locus probes in collaboration with Drs. CASNA and GERGITS of Therion Corp. Results showed that each of three consecutive alpha males was effective in achieving a virtual monopoly in siring offspring during his tenure, with one exception possibly related to inbreeding avoidance. Although patterns of sexual behaviour are not emphasized in this report, behavioural observations over the past six years support the findings of other researchers regarding the