Power and limits of DNA-profiling in primate populations: Paternity assessment in rhesus macaques from Cayo Santiago

Paternity testing was performed in one social group (S) of rhesus macaques from Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico. In 11/15 cases, sires could be identified comparing the multilocus DNA profiles of 19 males to those of the corresponding mother/child dyads. All 19 males could be excluded from paternity in the remaining four cases. Decision making was partly based on likelihoods of DNA profiles, and the theoretical model underlying these calculation is described. In a second social group (M), held in captivity, paternity testing was impeded by a deficit of maternal bands and by an increased extent of band sharing of mothers and their infants. Some possible explanations for these findings, including increased homozygosity in group M, are discussed.