Abstract
Although estrous synchrony has been reported in a number of mammalian species, most often among primates, methodological and analytical problems make it difficult to interpret these results. We developed a novel estrous synchrony index and employed a randomization procedure to analyze long-term observations of female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) estrous cycles at the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania. Our results revealed that female chimpanzees at Mahale avoid synchronizing their estrous periods with each other. We also found that birthrates decreased as the breeding sex ratio increased. We suggest that estrous asynchrony decreases female-female competition for mates. Asynchrony may also reduce the potential for male sexual coercion by nonpreferred mating partners.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 661-668 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology |
| Volume | 61 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 1 2007 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Animal Science and Zoology
Cite this
Estrus cycle asynchrony in wild female chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii. / Matsumoto-Oda, Akiko; Hamai, Miya; Hayaki, Hitosige; Hosaka, Kazuhiko; Hunt, Kevin D.; Kasuya, Eiiti; Kawanaka, Kenji; Mitani, John C.; Takasaki, Hiroyuki; Takahata, Yukio.
In: Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Vol. 61, No. 5, 01.03.2007, p. 661-668.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Estrus cycle asynchrony in wild female chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii
AU - Matsumoto-Oda, Akiko
AU - Hamai, Miya
AU - Hayaki, Hitosige
AU - Hosaka, Kazuhiko
AU - Hunt, Kevin D.
AU - Kasuya, Eiiti
AU - Kawanaka, Kenji
AU - Mitani, John C.
AU - Takasaki, Hiroyuki
AU - Takahata, Yukio
PY - 2007/3/1
Y1 - 2007/3/1
N2 - Although estrous synchrony has been reported in a number of mammalian species, most often among primates, methodological and analytical problems make it difficult to interpret these results. We developed a novel estrous synchrony index and employed a randomization procedure to analyze long-term observations of female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) estrous cycles at the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania. Our results revealed that female chimpanzees at Mahale avoid synchronizing their estrous periods with each other. We also found that birthrates decreased as the breeding sex ratio increased. We suggest that estrous asynchrony decreases female-female competition for mates. Asynchrony may also reduce the potential for male sexual coercion by nonpreferred mating partners.
AB - Although estrous synchrony has been reported in a number of mammalian species, most often among primates, methodological and analytical problems make it difficult to interpret these results. We developed a novel estrous synchrony index and employed a randomization procedure to analyze long-term observations of female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) estrous cycles at the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania. Our results revealed that female chimpanzees at Mahale avoid synchronizing their estrous periods with each other. We also found that birthrates decreased as the breeding sex ratio increased. We suggest that estrous asynchrony decreases female-female competition for mates. Asynchrony may also reduce the potential for male sexual coercion by nonpreferred mating partners.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33847642663&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00265-006-0287-9
DO - 10.1007/s00265-006-0287-9
M3 - Article
VL - 61
SP - 661
EP - 668
JO - Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
JF - Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
SN - 0340-5443
IS - 5
ER -