Factors Affecting Mortality,Fertility, and Well-being in Relation to Species Differences in Captive Orangutans |
| |
Authors: | Leif Cocks |
| |
Institution: | (1) Australian Orangutan Project, PO Box 1414, South Perth, WA 6951, Australia |
| |
Abstract: | For the past 20 years, field biologists have recognized Sumatran and Bornean orangutans as belonging to 2 separate subspecies.
Primatologists have recently suggested that they may be full species and that the Bornean species could be divided into 3–5
subspecies. Statistical analyses of factors affecting the mortality, fertility, and well-being of captive orangutans have
revealed some important differences between Bornean, Sumatran, and hybrid orangutans that could support the suggestion. Hybrid
orangutans appeared to be genetically weaker, with much lower survival rates than pure subspecific individuals. The weakness
also may have contributed to their higher rate of infant rejection. In addition, infertility was 3 times higher in Bornean
orangutans than in Sumatran and hybrid orangutans. |
| |
Keywords: | hybrid orangutan species zoos |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|