An examination of factors potentially influencing birth distributions in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana)
Many species of primates are considered seasonal breeders, but the set of factors, such as food availability, day length and temperature, that influence the timing of reproductive events for both wild and captive individuals remains unclear. Here, we examine the role of factors in shaping breeding p...
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doaj-fb2edda8745447c8a49242fb8019799e2020-11-24T22:27:34ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592017-01-015e289210.7717/peerj.2892An examination of factors potentially influencing birth distributions in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana)Zuofu Xiang0Wanji Yang1Xiaoguang Qi2Hui Yao3Cyril C. Grueter4Paul A. Garber5Baoguo Li6Ming Li7College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, ChinaKey Lab of Conservation Biology for Shennongjia Golden Monkey, Shennongjia Forest District, Hubei, ChinaSchool of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, AustraliaDepartment of Anthropology and Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United StatesCollege of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, ChinaKey Lab of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaMany species of primates are considered seasonal breeders, but the set of factors, such as food availability, day length and temperature, that influence the timing of reproductive events for both wild and captive individuals remains unclear. Here, we examine the role of factors in shaping breeding patterns in Rhinopithecus roxellana, a temperate colobine primate. We used circular statistics to describe and compare the patterns of reproductive seasonality among individuals in 13 captive groups and two free ranging but provisioned groups at various locations throughout China. Almost 90% of births occurred in March, April and May in adult females residing in both free ranging (n = 131) and captive groups (n = 407). Births occurred principally in 2–4 months prior to the peak of food availability, while conceptions occurred in 1–2 months after the peak of food availability in free ranging but provisioned groups. Day length (latitude) had a significant effect on the timing of reproduction. However, females that experienced a wide variation of temperature between the lowest and highest monthly average temperature had a later conception date. These results support that day length and temperature might be factor influencing the timing of reproductive activity.https://peerj.com/articles/2892.pdfBirth seasonalityBirth seasonality food availibilityDay lengthTemperatureGolden snub-nosed monkey |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Zuofu Xiang Wanji Yang Xiaoguang Qi Hui Yao Cyril C. Grueter Paul A. Garber Baoguo Li Ming Li |
spellingShingle |
Zuofu Xiang Wanji Yang Xiaoguang Qi Hui Yao Cyril C. Grueter Paul A. Garber Baoguo Li Ming Li An examination of factors potentially influencing birth distributions in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) PeerJ Birth seasonality Birth seasonality food availibility Day length Temperature Golden snub-nosed monkey |
author_facet |
Zuofu Xiang Wanji Yang Xiaoguang Qi Hui Yao Cyril C. Grueter Paul A. Garber Baoguo Li Ming Li |
author_sort |
Zuofu Xiang |
title |
An examination of factors potentially influencing birth distributions in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) |
title_short |
An examination of factors potentially influencing birth distributions in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) |
title_full |
An examination of factors potentially influencing birth distributions in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) |
title_fullStr |
An examination of factors potentially influencing birth distributions in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) |
title_full_unstemmed |
An examination of factors potentially influencing birth distributions in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) |
title_sort |
examination of factors potentially influencing birth distributions in golden snub-nosed monkeys (rhinopithecus roxellana) |
publisher |
PeerJ Inc. |
series |
PeerJ |
issn |
2167-8359 |
publishDate |
2017-01-01 |
description |
Many species of primates are considered seasonal breeders, but the set of factors, such as food availability, day length and temperature, that influence the timing of reproductive events for both wild and captive individuals remains unclear. Here, we examine the role of factors in shaping breeding patterns in Rhinopithecus roxellana, a temperate colobine primate. We used circular statistics to describe and compare the patterns of reproductive seasonality among individuals in 13 captive groups and two free ranging but provisioned groups at various locations throughout China. Almost 90% of births occurred in March, April and May in adult females residing in both free ranging (n = 131) and captive groups (n = 407). Births occurred principally in 2–4 months prior to the peak of food availability, while conceptions occurred in 1–2 months after the peak of food availability in free ranging but provisioned groups. Day length (latitude) had a significant effect on the timing of reproduction. However, females that experienced a wide variation of temperature between the lowest and highest monthly average temperature had a later conception date. These results support that day length and temperature might be factor influencing the timing of reproductive activity. |
topic |
Birth seasonality Birth seasonality food availibility Day length Temperature Golden snub-nosed monkey |
url |
https://peerj.com/articles/2892.pdf |
work_keys_str_mv |
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