Harem-male replacement and infanticide in the blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitus stuhlmanni) in the Kibale Forest,...

Area of Science:

• Primate Behavioral Ecology
• Animal Behavior
• Reproductive Strategies

Background:

• Infanticide is a controversial behavior observed in various species.
• Existing hypotheses attempt to explain the adaptive significance of infanticide.
• Blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis stuhlmanni) provide a new case study for infanticide research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the first observations of male replacement and infanticide in blue monkeys.
• To evaluate these observations against current hypotheses explaining infanticide.
• To develop new models for understanding infanticide in primate social systems.

Main Methods:

• Field observations of five blue monkey groups in Kibale Forest, Uganda.
• A total of 2,724 hours of observation were conducted.
• Analysis of infanticide patterns in relation to social structure and male tenure.

Main Results:

• Infanticide patterns in blue monkeys align with those in other one-male bisexual primate groups.
• Data do not support infanticide as a maladaptive behavioral pathology.
• Findings indirectly support infanticide as an adaptive reproductive strategy for new harem males.

Conclusions:

• Infanticide in blue monkeys is likely an adaptive strategy linked to male reproductive competition.
• Models suggest infanticide rates correlate with male competition and tenure length.
• Male tenure length is a critical determinant of inclusive fitness for both males and females.