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Factors influencing nursing in Macaca fascicularis
Folia Primatologica; International Journal of Primatology
|January 1, 1977
Summary
Nursing time in macaque infants decreases with age, but pairs show social influence. Observed nursing times together were longer than expected, suggesting imitation between mother-infant pairs.
Area of Science:
- Primate behavior
- Ethology
- Mammalian reproduction
Background:
- Nursing is a critical behavior for infant development and maternal bonding in primates.
- Understanding variations in nursing duration and social influences is key to primate ethology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify nursing duration in Macaca fascicularis infants.
- To investigate the influence of social interaction on nursing behavior between mother-infant pairs.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of two mother-infant pairs of Macaca fascicularis.
- 1-minute interval monitoring for 8 hours daily over 3 months.
- Data collection on nursing duration and co-occurrence of nursing sessions.
Main Results:
- Nursing time decreased by approximately 9.4 minutes per week until infants were 6 months old.
- Daily nursing time exhibited a significant diurnal peak.
- Observed co-nursing duration exceeded expected times under independence, indicating social facilitation.
Conclusions:
- Nursing duration in Macaca fascicularis is age-dependent and exhibits diurnal patterns.
- Mother-infant nursing behavior is influenced by social imitation between pairs.
- Group nursing sessions were longer than individual sessions, supporting social influence.