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On the mating system of the cooperatively breeding saddle-backed tamarin (Saguinus fuscicollis)

Publication ,  Journal Article
Terborgh, J; Goldizen, AW
Published in: Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
April 1, 1985

This paper reports on 5 years of observatiors of individually marked saddle-backed tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis, Callitrichidae). Although callitrichids have long been presumed to have a monogamous social system, this study shows that the breeding structure of saddle-back tamarin groups is highly variable. Groups most commonly include two or more adult males and a single reproductive female, but occasionally contain only a single pair of adults, or less often, two reproductively active females and one or more males. Data on group compositions, group formations, intergroup movements and copulations show that the social and mating systems of this species are more flexible than those of any other non-human primate yet studied. Infants (usually twins) were cared for by all group members. There were two classes of helpers: young, nonreproductive individuals who helped to care for full or half siblings, and cooperatively polyandrous males who cared for infants whom they may have fathered. The observations suggest that non-reproductive helpers may benefit from their helping behavior through a combination of inclusive fitness gains, reciprocal altruism, and the value of gaining experience at parental care. © 1985 Springer-Verlag.

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Published In

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

DOI

EISSN

1432-0762

ISSN

0340-5443

Publication Date

April 1, 1985

Volume

16

Issue

4

Start / End Page

293 / 299

Related Subject Headings

  • Behavioral Science & Comparative Psychology
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
 

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Terborgh, J., & Goldizen, A. W. (1985). On the mating system of the cooperatively breeding saddle-backed tamarin (Saguinus fuscicollis). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 16(4), 293–299. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00295541
Terborgh, J., and A. W. Goldizen. “On the mating system of the cooperatively breeding saddle-backed tamarin (Saguinus fuscicollis).” Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 16, no. 4 (April 1, 1985): 293–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00295541.
Terborgh J, Goldizen AW. On the mating system of the cooperatively breeding saddle-backed tamarin (Saguinus fuscicollis). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 1985 Apr 1;16(4):293–9.
Terborgh, J., and A. W. Goldizen. “On the mating system of the cooperatively breeding saddle-backed tamarin (Saguinus fuscicollis).” Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, vol. 16, no. 4, Apr. 1985, pp. 293–99. Scopus, doi:10.1007/BF00295541.
Terborgh J, Goldizen AW. On the mating system of the cooperatively breeding saddle-backed tamarin (Saguinus fuscicollis). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 1985 Apr 1;16(4):293–299.
Journal cover image

Published In

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

DOI

EISSN

1432-0762

ISSN

0340-5443

Publication Date

April 1, 1985

Volume

16

Issue

4

Start / End Page

293 / 299

Related Subject Headings

  • Behavioral Science & Comparative Psychology
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences