Paternal Care in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Propithecus verreauxi coquereli</Emphasis>

Alloparental behavior is documented for several anthropoid primates, but few researchers have investigated the extent or variability of such behavior in prosimians. We report results from a study of male-infant interactions in 2 groups of Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi coquereli) at the Duke University Primate Center (DUPC). Both groups contained 1 adult pair, 2 juveniles, and a newborn. The adult males exhibited paternal behavior toward their offspring in the form of grooming and holding the infant, though males differed in the amount of time they spent engaged in these activities. Group differences in the proximity maintained between the infants’ parents suggest that the relationship between adult males and females may help account for the variation. The presence of juveniles appeared to diminish paternal behavior in the group exhibiting a higher overall rate of male-infant interaction.