Female reproductive characteristics in semifree-ranging Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus L. 1758)

Mating activities in a group of 178 Barbary macaques were studied during the breeding season 1982/83. Copulations were observed between the middle of August and the end of March. More than 80% of all copulations were recorded from October to December. Number of estrous periods ranged from 1 to 5, most females (67%) had 2 estrous periods. Most females (87%) conceived during the first estrus. Postconceptional bleedings and 1 postconceptional estrus were observed regularly. Mean interval between the end of conceptional estrus and the end of postconceptional estrus was 28 days. Mean interval between the end of conceptional estrus and the onset of bleeding was 18.2 days. Conception rate was 79%. Conceptions occurred between the end of September and the middle of February. Most females (60%) conceived between the middle of November and the middle of December. Mean gestation length for a viable infant was 164.7 days. Consequences of the strong breeding seasonality are discussed.