Sex differences in the consequences of maternal loss in a long-lived mammal, the red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Andres, Daniel; Clutton‐Brock, Tim; Kruuk, Loeske E. B.; Pemberton, Josephine M.; Stopher, Katie V.; Ruckstuhl, Kathreen E.

doi:10.1007/s00265-013-1552-3

Cited by 61 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…For example, a recent study demonstrated lower survivorship for offspring that were orphaned after weaning (Nakamura et al, 2014). Similar patterns have been observed in other long-lived mammals, including killer whales, Orcinus orca (Foster et al, 2012) and red deer, Cervus elaphus (Andres et al, 2013). …”

supporting

confidence: 77%

Maternal rank influences the outcome of aggressive interactions between immature chimpanzees

et al. 2015

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For many long-lived mammalian species, extended maternal investment has a profound effect on offspring integration in complex social environments. One component of this investment may be aiding young in aggressive interactions, which can set the stage for offspring social position later in life. Here we examined maternal effects on dyadic aggressive interactions between immature (<12 years) chimpanzees. Specifically, we tested whether relative maternal rank predicted the probability of winning an aggressive interaction. We also examined maternal responses to aggressive interactions to determine whether maternal interventions explain interaction outcomes. Using a 12-year behavioural data set (2000–2011) from Gombe National Park, Tanzania, we found that relative maternal rank predicted the probability of winning aggressive interactions in male–male and male–female aggressive interactions: offspring were more likely to win if their mother outranked their opponent’s mother. Female–female aggressive interactions occurred infrequently (two interactions), so could not be analysed. The probability of winning was also higher for relatively older individuals in male–male interactions, and for males in male–female interactions. Maternal interventions were rare (7.3% of 137 interactions), suggesting that direct involvement does not explain the outcome for the vast majority of aggressive interactions. These findings provide important insight into the ontogeny of aggressive behaviour and early dominance relationships in wild apes and highlight a potential social advantage for offspring of higher-ranking mothers. This advantage may be particularly pronounced for sons, given male philopatry in chimpanzees and the potential for social status early in life to translate more directly to adult rank.

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supporting

confidence: 77%

Maternal rank influences the outcome of aggressive interactions between immature chimpanzees

et al. 2015

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“…Long‐term and transgenerational costs of parental loss (such as impaired development of juveniles) are not restricted to altricial family systems (e.g. Harlow & Suomi, ; Gonzalez et al, ; Fleming et al, ; Andres et al, ), but can also occur in more ancestral precocial species (Thesing et al, ). This finding suggests that even though precocial juveniles can often survive the early death of their parents, they will still suffer (non‐lethal) consequences of parental loss.…”

Section: The (Early) Evolution Of Family Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

The other facets of family life and their role in the evolution of animal sociality

Kramer

Meunier

2018

Biological Reviews

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Family life forms an integral part of the life history of species across the animal kingdom and plays a crucial role in the evolution of animal sociality. Our current understanding of family life, however, is almost exclusively based on studies that (i) focus on parental care and associated family interactions (such as those arising from sibling rivalry and parent-offspring conflict), and (ii) investigate these phenomena in the advanced family systems of mammals, birds, and eusocial insects. Here, we argue that these historical biases have fostered the neglect of key processes shaping social life in ancestral family systems, and thus profoundly hamper our understanding of the (early) evolution of family life. Based on a comprehensive survey of the literature, we first illustrate that the strong focus on parental care in advanced social systems has deflected scrutiny of other important social processes such as sibling cooperation, parent-offspring competition and offspring assistance. We then show that accounting for these neglected processes - and their changing role over time - could profoundly alter our understanding of the origin and subsequent evolution of family life. Finally, we outline how this 'diachronic' perspective on the evolution of family living provides novel insights into general processes driving the evolution of animal sociality. Overall, we infer that the explicit consideration of thus-far neglected facets of family life, together with their study across the whole diversity of family systems, are crucial to advance our understanding of the processes that shape the evolution of social life.

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“…In several primate species sex differences in bonding strength appear before adulthood (Cords et al 2010; Nakamichi 1989; Nikolei and Borries 1997; Pereira 1988; van Noordwijk et al 1993; see Fedigan 1982), whereby the dispersing sex appears to form looser social relationships from the first years of life onward (Andres et al 2013; Frère et al 2010; Kulik unpub. data; Stumpf et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex Differences in the Development of Social Relationships in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)

et al. 2015

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Several studies have documented the importance of social bonding for the enhancement of individual fitness. However, little is known about how social relationships develop through ontogeny, and whether their development follows the same trajectory in males and females. Here we analyzed affiliative interactions (proximity, social grooming, play) combined with demographic and genetic data in semi-free-ranging rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) on Cayo Santiago over their first 4 yr of life (from birth to sexual maturation) to understand how these interactions change through development in both sexes. Generalized linear mixed models revealed that social behaviors mostly followed different developmental trajectories in males and females and were highly dependent on the social context. In particular, sex differences in social behavior varied through development depending on the partner’s sex and age. Females engaged in more social interactions than males, especially with other females, and were more involved in grooming around the time of maturation. In contrast, males interacted more with males and age peers, especially around maturation. Sex differences in social behavior varied through development, but also depended on rank, partner’s rank, and kin line, although not consistently. High-ranking individuals, especially older females, were generally preferred as social partners. Moreover, both male and female individuals interacted mostly with maternal kin, although males also preferred paternal kin over nonkin. Importantly, most developmental changes in sociality happened when individuals were ca. 2 yr old, suggesting that this might be a milestone in the development of sociality in rhesus macaques. The only notable exception to this pattern was play, which was more pronounced in males from the beginning of their lives. We propose that play might serve as a trigger of sex differences in social behavior, with sex differences emerging early in development and increasing through time as males and females gradually grow into their adult social roles.

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Sex differences in the consequences of maternal loss in a long-lived mammal, the red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Cited by 61 publications

References 33 publications

Maternal rank influences the outcome of aggressive interactions between immature chimpanzees

Maternal rank influences the outcome of aggressive interactions between immature chimpanzees

The other facets of family life and their role in the evolution of animal sociality

Sex Differences in the Development of Social Relationships in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)

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