Fathers’ cortisol and testosterone in the days around infants’ births predict later paternal involvement
Human paternal behavior is multidimensional, and extant research has yet to delineate how hormone patterns may be related to different dimensions of fathering. Further, although studies vary in their measurement of hormones (i.e., basal or reactivity), it remains unclear whether basal and/or reactivity measures are predictive of different aspects of men’s parenting. We examined whether […]
Variation in the parental care systems of mammals and the impact on zoo breeding programs
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430130504.abs The identity of mammalian caregivers, the types of care each may provide to young, and the developmental, ecological, and social factors that influence the amount and distribution of care are discussed. Care is distinguished from use and abuse in terms of the impact on the survival of young. Some effects of the failure […]
Social transmission of information about novel food in two populations of the African striped mouse, Rhabdomys pumilio
Social learning involves the transmission of information from demonstrators to conspecifics. The mother is expected to be the main demonstrator in solitary species, whereas several individuals can be demonstrators in group-living species. We studied social learning about novel food in two populations of the African striped mouse, with different social systems: a desert population (group […]
Infant care in a family of siamangs (Hylobates syndactylus) with twin offspring at Berlin Zoo
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430100405.abs Infant-carrying in a family group of siamangs with twin offspring was observed during a 2-week period. The twins were about 11 months old at the time of the study. One or both twins were usually carried by their father, but hardly ever by their mother. A considerable amount of infant-carrying was also contributed […]
Early social experience influences the development of stereotypic behaviour in captive-born striped mice Rhabdomys
The early life experience of captive animals, in combination with their genetic inheritance, can predispose or promote the development of stereotypic behaviour in later life. To investigate the early social effects of weaning age and the presence/absence of the father on the development of stereotypic behaviour in adulthood, we retrospectively analysed data from our captive […]
Hormones and paternal behavior in vertebrates
This review examines the influence of hormonal stimulation on paternal care in selected species of fish, birds and mammals. Correlational studies of hormonal changes and the occurrence of paternal behavior as well as experimental studies are considered. Understanding the influence of hormones on paternal behavior is complicated by whether the species studied shows maternal, paternal […]
Paternal care in New World Primates
Extensive parental care is well developed in several genera of New World primates (genera Callicebus, Aotus, Callimico, Calltthrix, Cebuella, Leontopithecus, Saguinus) including most of the indirect and direct paternal care behaviors described by Kleiman and Malcolm (1981). Paternal care is correlated with a monogamous (and perhaps polyandrous) mating system and a small group size. Additionally, […]
Paternal care in canids
Paternal care has never been reported as absent in any canid species, and some form of care has been seen in 18 ofthe 36 species in the family. Food provisioning, active defense of the young, and protecting young by remaining at the den as the female forages appear to be the commonest forms of male […]
Staying put or leaving home: endocrine, neuroendocrine and behavioral consequences in male African striped mice
Social flexibility occurs when individuals of both sexes can change their social and reproductive tactics, which in turn can influence the social system of an entire population. However, little is known regarding the extent to which individuals of socially flexible species vary in their social behavior and in the underlying physiological mechanisms that support different […]
Stable heterosexual associations in a promiscuous primate
Close associations between adult males and females are rare among group-living, nonmonogamous mammals but may mark the transition from life in promiscuous bisexual groups to groups of pairs or pair living. Although heterosexual friendships have been described in baboons, these are short-term affairs serving as protection against infanticide and thus tightly linked to the presence […]