Effect of infant pelage colour on infant caring by other group members: a case study of wild Javan lutungs (Trachypithecus auratus)
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Department of Biosciences, Ishinomaki Senshu University, Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Japan
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Abstract
We observed interactions of group members with seven Javan lutungs (Trachypithecus auratus) infants from January to March 2018. Infants’ pelage colouration changed from bright yellow to black, and it took about 2.9 months (on average) until the yellowness disappeared, and about 6.1 months (on average) until the colouration change was completed. Infants with yellow pelage spent more time being held and screaming, while infants with black pelage spent more time moving and feeding. The number of neighbouring animals decreased as the infants’ pelage became black, which implied that group members are attracted to the yellowness of infants. As the pelage became black and the infant aged, the neighbouring animals exhibited more social behaviour. Our results implied that bright yellow pelage colour triggers their parental instincts. The bright pelage colour would benefit infants because group members protect them from unfamiliar males and predators.
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Effect of infant pelage colour on infant caring by other group members: a case study of wild Javan lutungs (Trachypithecus auratus)
In: BehaviourSearch for other papers by S.P. Trisilo in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by K.A. Widayati in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Biosciences, Ishinomaki Senshu University, Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Japan
Search for other papers by Y. Tsuji in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
We observed interactions of group members with seven Javan lutungs (Trachypithecus auratus) infants from January to March 2018. Infants’ pelage colouration changed from bright yellow to black, and it took about 2.9 months (on average) until the yellowness disappeared, and about 6.1 months (on average) until the colouration change was completed. Infants with yellow pelage spent more time being held and screaming, while infants with black pelage spent more time moving and feeding. The number of neighbouring animals decreased as the infants’ pelage became black, which implied that group members are attracted to the yellowness of infants. As the pelage became black and the infant aged, the neighbouring animals exhibited more social behaviour. Our results implied that bright yellow pelage colour triggers their parental instincts. The bright pelage colour would benefit infants because group members protect them from unfamiliar males and predators.
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 1137 | 278 | 3 |
| Full Text Views | 83 | 26 | 1 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 127 | 40 | 3 |