ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA ›› 2016, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (2): 177-183.DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.201602006

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Carrying of dead infants by Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys(Rhinopithecus roxellana)in the Qinling Mountains

GUO Dong, QI Xiaoguang, TIAN Jiashen, HU Yongle, SI Kaichuang, GAO Cunlao, LI Baoguo   

  1. Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Endangered Animal
  • Online:2016-05-13 Published:2016-08-19
  • Contact: 齐晓光 E-mail:qixg@nwu.edu.cn

秦岭川金丝猴的携带死婴行为

郭东 齐晓光 田嘉申 胡永乐 司开创 高存劳 李保国   

  1. 陕西省濒危动物保育与利用重点实验室
  • 作者简介:郭东,硕士,从事灵长类生理生态学研究

Abstract: The mother-infant bond represents the most stable and affiliative relationship in primate societies. Caring for infants by female primates can be considered a form of reproductive investment. Even though females incur no fitness benefits by continuing to carry their infants post mortem, this behavior has been documented in several primate species. To examine the factors influencing carrying of and caring for dead infants, and provide data supporting for relevant hypotheses, we collected data on this behavior by a group of golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Qinling Mountains. Between October 2013 and June 2014, four cases were recorded by focal animal sampling and all-occurrence sampling. Females whose infant had died acted nervously and sadly; they also held, groomed, smelled the corpse repeatedly. Age and status of decomposition of the corpse had no influence on the time females spent carrying it. Females carried dead infants for a shorter time when death occurred in the late of mating period, and this may benefit a female who is ready to conceive again. Considering the food phenology and the weight of the dead infant, we suggest that carrying and caring a corpse is restricted by substantial energy costs for the female.

Key words: Golden snub-nosed monkey, Carrying of dead infant, Mother-infant bond, death awareness

摘要: 母婴纽带是灵长类社群中最为稳固和重要的社会关系之一,雌性对后代的照料行为是其繁殖投入的一种形式,但雌性对死亡后代的照料不但没有回报,甚至还可能影响其后续繁殖,然而在许多灵长类中却存在母亲对死亡后代的携带和照料行为。本研究于2013年10月至2014年06月采用焦点动物取样法和全事件记录法观察和记录了4例秦岭川金丝猴(Rhinopithecus roxellana)母亲携带和照料死婴行为,以期探讨影响秦岭川金丝猴死婴携带和照料行为的相关因素,为死婴携带和照料行为的相关假说提供数据支持。研究表明携带死婴的雌性均表现出紧张和悲伤的情绪,并存在针对死婴的理毛和嗅吻等行为;死婴的年龄、腐烂与否都不影响雌性携带和照料的时间;出现于交配末期的死婴,雌性对其携带和照料时间变短,这可能有利于雌性进入新的繁殖状态;结合栖息地食物物候和死婴的体重,发现雌性对死婴的携带和照料受到能量成本的限制。

关键词: 川金丝猴, 死婴携带, 母婴纽带, 死亡意识