Family composition and the characteristics of parental care during the nursing phase of captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) |
| |
Authors: | M F F M Ximenes M B C Sousa |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Physiology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, P. O. Box 1511, 59.072 Natal RN, Brasil |
| |
Abstract: | Cooperative care of the young by the father, older siblings, and unrelated group members is observed in a number of species,
but inCallithrix jacchus parental care by the father is considered to be part of the reproductive behavior of the species. Nevertheless, the way the
presence of potential helpers influences the costs of caring for the parents is not well understood. In this study we describe
the suckling phase of youngC. jacchus, in families with and without older siblings, assessing the effect of siblings on the amount of care given by the father
and mother. Six family groups were observed: three consisting of the mated pair and two newborn infants, and three with one
or two additional sub-adult siblings. Our results suggest that the presence of older siblings as helpers affects the parents'
participation in caregiving by altering maternal investment through the control of nursing and by reducing the costs of carrying
for the father. |
| |
Keywords: | Marmosets Alloparental care Helpers Older siblings Nursing phase |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|