| Publications [#28305] of Leslie J. Digby
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- Digby, L.J. & Saltzman, S.F., Is infanticide by females unique to the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)? Implications for how callitrichines balance cooperation and competition,
American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. Supplement
(2005)
(last updated on 2006/01/02)
Abstract: The callitrichines are known for their
unusual reproductive system where breeding
is typically limited by physiological
suppression or behavioral inhibition to a
single breeding female per group. In those
groups where a second female does breed, the
subordinate breeding female may still have
difficulty successfully raising young. At
least six infanticides by females other than
the mother have been observed in wild groups
of common marmosets with several more cases
being described for captive groups. But
infanticide has not been documented for
other wild groups of callitrichines. Here we
examine the contexts that give rise to
infanticide by females and how they differ
across callitrichines genera. Contexts
include the prevalence of polygynous groups
(which in turn may be related to the
presence of an unrelated male), reproductive
state of other females in the group
(including overlapping pregnancies and
presence of lactating females) and overall
cost of infant care.
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