Factors Affecting the Distribution of Copulatory Plugs in Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta) on Cayo Santiago
In: Folia PrimatologicaSearch for other papers by J. Danzy in
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Although the proximate mechanisms behind the formation of copulatory plugs are well understood, their distribution and function among primates remain largely unstudied. During a study of female rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) mating behaviour on Cayo Santiago, we examined the pattern of the distribution of visible copulatory plugs among females and their potential relationship to female reproductive traits and sexual skin colouration. Our results indicate that non-pregnant females were observed more frequently with visible copulatory plugs than were pregnant females. Female parity status, age and rank were unrelated to copulatory plug observation. Genital colouration components were higher among females observed with copulatory plugs. We suggest that although copulatory plugs are generally thought of in terms of male physiology, plug observation may also be affected by female reproductive status.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
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Factors Affecting the Distribution of Copulatory Plugs in Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta) on Cayo Santiago
In: Folia PrimatologicaSearch for other papers by J. Danzy in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by V. Gutierrez in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by J. Pampush in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by B. Campbell in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Although the proximate mechanisms behind the formation of copulatory plugs are well understood, their distribution and function among primates remain largely unstudied. During a study of female rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) mating behaviour on Cayo Santiago, we examined the pattern of the distribution of visible copulatory plugs among females and their potential relationship to female reproductive traits and sexual skin colouration. Our results indicate that non-pregnant females were observed more frequently with visible copulatory plugs than were pregnant females. Female parity status, age and rank were unrelated to copulatory plug observation. Genital colouration components were higher among females observed with copulatory plugs. We suggest that although copulatory plugs are generally thought of in terms of male physiology, plug observation may also be affected by female reproductive status.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 317 | 61 | 9 |
| Full Text Views | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 6 | 1 | 0 |
