Male resource defense mating system in primates? An experimental test in wild capuchin monkeys

Ecological models of mating systems provide a theoretical framework to predict the effect of the defendability of both breeding resources and mating partners on mating patterns. In resource-based mating systems, male control over breeding resources is tightly linked to female mating preference. To d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	PloS one Vol. 13; no. 5; p. e0197020
Main Authors:	Tiddi, Barbara, Heistermann, Michael, Fahy, Martin K, Wheeler, Brandon C
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States Public Library of Science 22-05-2018 Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subjects:	Animal behavior Animal cognition Animal models Animal reproduction Animals Biology and Life Sciences Breeding Cebidae Cebinae Cebus Cebus apella Ecological models Ecology Ecology and Environmental Sciences Female Females Food Infanticide Influence Laboratories Male Males Mate selection Mating Mating behavior Mating Preference, Animal - physiology Medicine and Health Sciences Monkeys Monkeys & apes National parks Observations People and places Phylogeny Population Dynamics Preferences Primates Reproduction Seasons Sexual behavior Sexual Behavior, Animal Social Behavior Social Dominance Social Sciences New York Nigeria United States > US Germany
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Summary:	Ecological models of mating systems provide a theoretical framework to predict the effect of the defendability of both breeding resources and mating partners on mating patterns. In resource-based mating systems, male control over breeding resources is tightly linked to female mating preference. To date, few field studies have experimentally investigated the relationship between male resource control and female mating preference in mammals due to difficulties in manipulating ecological factors (e.g., food contestability). We tested the within-group male resource defense hypothesis experimentally in a wild population of black capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) in Iguazú National Park, Argentina. Sapajus spp. represent an ideal study model as, in contrast to most primates, they have been previously argued to be characterized by female mate choice and a resource-based mating system in which within-group resource monopolization by high-ranking males drives female mating preference for those males. Here, we examined whether females (N = 12) showed a weaker preference for alpha males during mating seasons in which food distribution was experimentally manipulated to be less defendable relative to those in which it was highly defendable. Results did not support the within-group male resource defense hypothesis, as female sexual preferences for alpha males did not vary based on food defendability. We discuss possible reasons for our results, including the possibility of other direct and indirect benefits females receive in exercising mate choice, the potential lack of tolerance over food directed towards females by alpha males, and phylogenetic constraints.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
ISSN:	1932-6203 1932-6203
DOI:	10.1371/journal.pone.0197020