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Patas monkey copulations: One mount, repeat if necessary
1Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston.
American Journal of Primatology
|January 23, 2020
Summary
Patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas) typically engage in single-mount copulations, not series-mounts. Quantitative data confirm that successful mating involves one mount leading to ejaculation, refuting earlier anecdotal claims.
Area of Science:
- Primate Sexual Behavior
- Ethology
- Primate Reproductive Strategies
Background:
- Early observations suggested patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas) were series-mount copulators.
- Conflicting evidence and recent reviews highlight confusion regarding patas monkey mating patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the species-typical copulatory pattern in patas monkeys.
- To present quantitative data on the sexual behavior of additional adult male patas monkeys.
Main Methods:
- Observation and quantitative analysis of copulatory behavior in two adult male patas monkeys.
- Distinguishing between successful copulations and failed attempts.
Main Results:
- Adult male patas monkeys typically achieved intravaginal ejaculation with pelvic thrusts during a single mount.
- Mounts without ejaculation were identified as unsuccessful attempts, not part of a series-mount sequence.
Conclusions:
- The species-typical mating pattern for patas monkeys is single-mount copulation.
- Quantitative data strongly support the single-mount pattern over anecdotal series-mount observations.
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