Abstract
Two infanticides occurred after a male takeover in a population of Verreaux’s sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi) at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar. The first infant was found dying from wounds received to the chest and groin after three adult males had immigrated into the group. The second infanticide was directly observed 2 weeks later when one of the immigrant males targeted and attacked the infant after it was separated from its mother. The directed nature of the attack suggests that the infant’s death was not a result of generalized aggression during a period of increased group instability. Although the sexual selection argument does not fully explain infanticidal events in seasonally breeding lemurs, such as Verreaux’s sifaka, it is clear that transferring males present a measurable threat to infant survival and female reproductive success in this species.
References
Altmann J (1974) Observational study of behavior: sampling methods. Behaviour 49:229–267
Bartlett TQ, Sussman RW, Cheverud JM (1993) Infant killing in primates: a review of observed cases with specific reference to the sexual selection hypothesis. Am Anthropol 95(4):958–990
Brockman DK (1999) Reproductive behavior of female Propithecus verreauxi at Beza Mahafaly, Madagascar. Int J Primatol 20(3):375–398
Brockman DK, Whitten PL (1996) Reproduction in free-ranging Propithecus verreauxi: estrus and the relationship between multiple partner matings and fertilization. Am J Phys Anthropol 100:57–69
Brockman DK, Whitten PL (1999) Group transfer and male competition in Propithecus verreauxi: insights into factors mediating male infanticide in a seasonally breeding primate. Am J Phys Anthropol 108(S28):98
Erhart EM, Overdorff DJ (1998) Infanticide in Propithecus diadema edwardsi: an evaluation of the sexual selection hypothesis. Int J Primatol 19(1):73–81
Hausfater G, Hrdy SB (eds) (1984) Infanticide: comparative and evolutionary perspectives. Aldine, New York
Hood LC (1994) Infanticide among ringtailed lemurs (Lemur catta) at Berenty Reserve, Madagascar. Am J Primatol 33:65–69
Hrdy SB (1979) Infanticide among animals: a review, classification, and examination of the implications for the reproductive strategies of females. Ethol Sociobiol 1:13–40
Jolly A, Caless S, Cavigelli S, Gould L, Pereira ME, Pitts A, Pride RE, Rabenandrasana HD, Walker JD, Zafison T (2000) Infant killing, wounding and predation in Eulemur and Lemur. Int J Primatol 21(1):21–40
Lawler RR (2007) Fitness and extra-group reproduction in male Verreaux’s sifaka: an analysis of reproductive success from 1989–1999. Am J Phys Anthropol 132:267–277
Lewis RJ, Razafindrasamba SM, Tolojanahary JP (2003) Observed infanticide in a seasonal breeding prosimian (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi) in Kirindy Forest, Madagascar. Folia Primatol 74:101–103
Pereira ME, Weiss ML (1991) Female mate choice, male migration, and the threat of infanticide in ringtailed lemurs. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 28(2):141–152
Rasoloharijaona S, Rakotosamimanana B, Zimmermann E (2000) Infanticide by a male Milne-Edwards’ sportive lemur (Lepilemur edwardsi) in Ampijoroa, NW-Madagascar. Int J Primatol 21(1):41–45
Richard AF, Rakotomanga P, Schwartz M (1991) Demography of Propithecus verreauxi at Beza Mahafaly, Madagascar: sex ratio, survival, and fertility, 1984–1988. Am J Phys Anthropol 84:307–322
Richard AF, Dewar RE, Schwartz M, Ratsirarson J (2002) Life in the slow lane? Demography and life histories of male and female sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi). J Zool 256:421–436
van Schaik CP, Janson CH (eds) (2000) Infanticide by males and its implications. Cambridge University Press, New York
Wright PC (1995) Demography and life history of free-ranging Propithecus diadema edwardsi in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. Int J Primatol 16(5):835–851
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by NSF BCS-0648726. I thank Patricia L. Whitten, Diane K. Brockman, Sarah Gouzoules, Laurie Godfrey, and two anonymous reviewers for their assistance with the preparation of this manuscript. A special thanks to Roopa Krithivasan; Joelisoa Ratsirarson, Jeannin Ranivonasy, and Jacky Youssouf from the University of Antananarivo; Andry Serge Randrianandrasana from the National Management for Protected Areas (ANGAP), Madagascar; and the staff and census team at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve for their continued support and assistance in the field.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Electronic supplementary material
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
About this article
Cite this article
Littlefield, B.L. Infanticide following male takeover event in Verreaux’s sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi). Primates 51, 83–86 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-009-0162-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-009-0162-1