Babysitting behavior by age/sex classification in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) |
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Authors: | Susan M Hunt Katy M Gamache Joan S Lockard |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Washington, 98195 Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | The aunting behavior in a captive group of 22 squirrel monkeys containing three infants was done in terms of the age/sex classification
of those animals involved. The time course of the aunting phenomena and the type and intensity of the interactions between
the mothers and the aunts were recorded. Males as well as females were observed to ascertain if the babysitters were sex specific.
Observations were gathered before, during, and after a particular threat to any monkey who was carrying an infant. Three categories
of protective behavior (protect, retreat, and nothing) were tabulated. The results indicated that most aunting and protection
occurred between infant ages 2-1/2-5 weeks when the infants were growing rapidly but not as yet socially self-sufficient.
Mothers protected infants the most against juveniles, then subadult males, and least against other adult females. Subadult
males were occasionally observed to carry and protect older infants. Aunting behavior was discussed in terms of the selective
pressures by which it may have evolved. |
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Keywords: | |
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