Infanticide in a group of wild saddle-back tamarins, Saguinus fuscicollis

Am J Primatol. 2000 Feb;50(2):153-7. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2345(200002)50:2<153::AID-AJP5>3.0.CO;2-#.

Abstract

An infanticide was observed in a group of wild saddle-back tamarins, Saguinus fuscicollis. The newborn singleton was killed by its mother after it had fallen from the carrier several times. This infanticide may represent a case of parental manipulation: the mother terminated investment in an offspring that probably had a low chance of survival. Also, stress associated with the simultaneous pregnancy of another adult female in the group may have played a role.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Peru
  • Pregnancy
  • Saguinus / psychology*
  • Social Behavior
  • Social Dominance