On the quantification of suckling intensity in primates

American Journal of Physical Anthropology
R L JohnsonC M Berman

Abstract

The inhibitory effect that suckling has on the reproductive function of primate mothers varies as a function of the intensity with which they are suckled. Here we present an easily computed index of one parameter of suckling intensity, namely the temporal patterning of suckling bouts. High intensity suckling is characterized by frequent nursing bouts demarcated by short interbout intervals. Therefore, our suckling index is based on the brevity of observed interbout intervals, more specifically the proportion of such intervals that fail to exceed a criterion length. The index is an appropriate means of making interspecific comparisons of the development of infant suckling and is well suited for application to field data that include interbout intervals that were not observed in their entirety. To demonstrate its utility, we apply the index to field data collected on the suckling behavior of free-ranging rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) infants in India. In this context, we demonstrate that, in rhesus, between-infant differences in suckling intensity manifest themselves early in the postpartum period and contribute to between-female differences in the timing of first mating postpartum.

References

Sep 15, 1978·Science·J AltmannG Hausfater
Jan 1, 1990·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·K Wallen
Feb 1, 1988·Biology of Reproduction·M E WilsonT P Gordon
Jul 1, 1988·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·K J Stewart
Jan 1, 1974·Behaviour·J Altmann
Jan 1, 1982·Folia primatologica; international journal of primatology·D G Smith, M F Small
Jul 1, 1982·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·P W Howie, A S McNeilly
Apr 1, 1980·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·P W HowieM Houston
Feb 18, 1994·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·A S McNeillyA Glasier
Feb 18, 1994·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·P G Lunn
Jul 1, 1993·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·O M Campbell, R H Gray
Jan 1, 1992·American Journal of Primatology·Iqbal MalikCarol M Berman

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 1, 2010·Behavioral Ecology : Official Journal of the International Society for Behavioral Ecology·Christy L HoffmanDario Maestripieri
Nov 6, 2015·American Journal of Primatology·Raisa Hernández-PachecoAlberto M Sabat
Apr 23, 2009·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Katherine Hinde
Jul 16, 2008·American Journal of Primatology·Adaris Mas-Rivera, Fred B Bercovitch
Jun 4, 2011·Physiology & Behavior·Christy L HoffmanDario Maestripieri
Oct 22, 2016·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Iulia BădescuDaniel W Sellen
Oct 29, 2000·American Journal of Primatology·N ManingerG C Ruppenthal
Dec 27, 2016·Royal Society Open Science·Iulia BădescuDaniel W Sellen

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.