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Maturation is prolonged and variable in female chimpanzees.

Kara K Walker1, Christopher S Walker2, Jane Goodall3

  • 1Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Sociology and Anthropology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 8107, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.

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Summary

Female chimpanzees reach sexual maturity around 11.5 years and have their first birth at about 14.9 years. Maternal factors and early-life orphanhood significantly influence these crucial life history milestones.

Keywords:
DispersalFirst birthHomininLife historyMaternal effectsSexual maturity

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Area of Science:

  • Primatology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Anthropology

Background:

  • Chimpanzees serve as key models for understanding hominin evolution.
  • Life history milestones like sexual maturity and first reproduction are critical for comparing human and chimpanzee developmental trajectories.
  • Accurate data on these milestones in wild chimpanzees are scarce, particularly for dispersing females.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine precise ages at sexual maturity and first birth in wild female chimpanzees.
  • To investigate factors influencing variation in these maturation milestones.
  • To refine comparisons of life history strategies between chimpanzees and humans.

Main Methods:

  • Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with censored intervals was used.
  • Cox Proportional Hazards models were employed to identify sources of variance.
  • Data were collected from 36 wild female chimpanzees of known age in Gombe National Park, Tanzania.

Main Results:

  • Average age at sexual maturity was 11.5 years (range 8.5-13.9).
  • Average age at first birth was 14.9 years (range 11.1-22.1), exceeding previous estimates.
  • Females orphaned before age eight and those born to low-ranking mothers experienced delayed sexual maturity.
  • Dispersing females and those orphaned early faced delayed first births.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides updated estimates for maturation milestones in wild female chimpanzees.
  • Early-life adversity, such as maternal rank and orphanhood, significantly impacts reproductive timing.
  • Understanding these factors is crucial for comparative life history studies between chimpanzees and humans.