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Promiscuity in Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus).

Meredith F Small1

  • 1Department of Anthropology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

American Journal of Primatology
|February 21, 2020
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Female Barbary macaques exhibit high-frequency mating with multiple males, particularly during extended estrous cycles. This promiscuous behavior is not linked to paternity confusion or social exchange, but rather male inability to prevent it.

Keywords:
female mating patternsmale care of infantspolygyny

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Area of Science:

  • Primatology
  • Ethology
  • Behavioral Ecology

Background:

  • Female Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) are often described as "promiscuous" due to mating with multiple males.
  • Previous research has not fully elucidated the drivers behind this mating strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mating behavior of female Barbary macaques in a semi-free-ranging colony.
  • To determine the factors influencing the rate and pattern of copulations.
  • To test hypotheses regarding paternity confusion and social exchange as explanations for promiscuity.

Main Methods:

  • A 9-month observational study of a semi-free-ranging colony of Barbary macaques.
  • Recording 506 copulations across 21 females during the breeding season.
  • Analyzing the correlation between estrous cycle length, number of cycles, and the number of male partners.

Main Results:

  • Females engaged in high-rate, indiscriminate mating, with 358 copulations occurring during extended estrous cycles.
  • Increased duration or frequency of estrus correlated positively with a greater number of male sexual partners.
  • No association was found between mating behavior and male-female friendships or infant care.

Conclusions:

  • Female Barbary macaque mating behavior is characterized by high rates and multiple partners, especially during prolonged estrus.
  • Promiscuity is not driven by the need to confuse paternity or by exchanging copulations for social benefits.
  • The observed mating pattern is attributed to the inability or unwillingness of males to prevent females from mating with multiple partners.