An examination of factors potentially influencing birth distributions in golden snub-nosed monkeys ( Rhinopithecus roxellana )

PeerJ

article

Zuofu Xiang¹  Wanji Yang¹  Xiaoguang Qi⁴  Hui Yao³  Cyril C. Grueter⁵  Paul A. Garber⁶  Baoguo Li⁴  Ming Li² 

[1] College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology;Key Lab of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences;Key Lab of Conservation Biology for Shennongjia Golden Monkey;College of Life Sciences, Northwest University;School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia;Department of Anthropology and Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Illinois

关键词: Birth seasonality;    Birth seasonality food availibility;    Day length;    Temperature;    Golden snub-nosed monkey;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.2892

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Many species of primates are considered seasonal breeders, but the set of factors, such as food availability, day length and temperature, that influence the timing of reproductive events for both wild and captive individuals remains unclear. Here, we examine the role of factors in shaping breeding patterns in Rhinopithecus roxellana, a temperate colobine primate. We used circular statistics to describe and compare the patterns of reproductive seasonality among individuals in 13 captive groups and two free ranging but provisioned groups at various locations throughout China. Almost 90% of births occurred in March, April and May in adult females residing in both free ranging (n = 131) and captive groups (n = 407). Births occurred principally in 2–4 months prior to the peak of food availability, while conceptions occurred in 1–2 months after the peak of food availability in free ranging but provisioned groups. Day length (latitude) had a significant effect on the timing of reproduction. However, females that experienced a wide variation of temperature between the lowest and highest monthly average temperature had a later conception date. These results support that day length and temperature might be factor influencing the timing of reproductive activity.

【 授权许可】

CC BY