Familial incidence of multiple births in a colony of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).
This paper describes the incidence of multiple births in the Yerkes Chimpanzee colony for a period of about 63 years. Pedigrees are presented for all multiple births. They demonstrate the recurrence of twins in relatively few family lines which can be traced back to a small number of ancestors. The findings suggest that twinning is a family trait in chimpanzees and they support the hypothesis that the incidence of multiple births is genetically influenced in this colony. In addition, a relatively high level of inbreeding may have enhanced the incidence of multiple births in these family lines. Similar findings are known from human populations.
Anthropological Institute, University Zürich-Irchel, Switzerland.
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T
Geissmann
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007178:Inbreeding; D008297:Male; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D010375:Pedigree; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics