Behavioral correlates of extra-pair copulation in Indri indri.
Active pursuit of extra-pair mating has been reported for Indri indri, the socially monogamous largest living lemur. This study, conducted in a mountain rainforest in eastern Madagascar, presents the first evidence for extra-pair mating of indri and discusses the alternative mating strategy and alteration of the social, territorial, spatial, and vocal behavior of the adult female of a group of wild indris. Further studies may investigate whether extra-pair copulation is an attempt to breed with a partner of superior quality and thus lead to extra-pair paternity. If so, it could potentially play a role in maintaining genetic variability within a population.
Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Torino, Italy.
Giovanna
G
Bonadonna
Valeria
V
Torti
Rose Marie
RM
Randrianarison
Nicole
N
Martinet
Marco
M
Gamba
Cristina
C
Giacoma
D000818:Animals; D003307:Copulation; D005260:Female; D008270:Madagascar; D008297:Male; D012919:Social Behavior; D011443:Strepsirhini / Q000502:physiology*; D013731:Territoriality; D014828:Vocalization, Animal