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 patterns inRhinopithecus 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.
College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China; Key Lab of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Zuofu
Z
Xiang
College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China; Key Lab of Conservation Biology for Shennongjia Golden Monkey, Shennongjia Forest District, Hubei, China.
Wanji
W
Yang
College of Life Sciences, Northwest University , Xi'an , Shaanxi , China.
Xiaoguang
X
Qi
Key Lab of Conservation Biology for Shennongjia Golden Monkey , Shennongjia Forest District , Hubei , China.
Hui
H
Yao
School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia , Crawley , WA , Australia.
Cyril C
CC
Grueter
Department of Anthropology and Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Illinois , Urbana , IL , United States.
Paul A
PA
Garber
College of Life Sciences, Northwest University , Xi'an , Shaanxi , China.
Baoguo
B
Li
Key Lab of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China.
Ming
M
Li
Birth seasonality; Birth seasonality food availibility; Day length; Golden snub-nosed monkey; Temperature