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<p>Offspring survival is a key determinant of reproductive success, defined as an organism’s ability to pass on its genes to subsequent generations. Investigation into the factors that impact offspring survival can reveal the selective forces that shape populations over time. We used six years of data to assess offspring survival in Rwenzori Angolan colobus (<i>Colobus angolensis ruwenzorii</i>) living in Uganda. These monkeys live in a multi-level society, whereby individuals associate non-randomly in at least three tiers: the core unit, the clan, and the band. We tracked 77 infants from birth until three years of age or death, noting all changes in core unit composition, as well as monthly changes in food availability. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate survival probabilities, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the influence of high-quality food during early-life, unit size, and the immigration of new males on infant survival. Immigration of a male(s) was significantly associated with infant mortality (HR = 1.77, 95% CI [1.35, 2.40]), though not necessarily immediately following the immigration event. One third of the deaths (4/12) occurred within a month or less of male immigration. Infanticide by males is a reproductive strategy whereby males kill unrelated infants so that their mother resumes estrous, allowing the male an opportunity to reproduce. We suggest that male immigration can occasionally result in infanticide in our study population but also likely impacts infant survival through another mechanism(s), such as the loss of care provided by putative fathers.</p>

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Infant mortality associated with immigration of males in a multi-level society

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月4日

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  • Samantha M. Stead,
  • Hafsa Ishaque,
  • Edward Mujjuzi,
  • Julie A. Teichroeb

摘要

Offspring survival is a key determinant of reproductive success, defined as an organism’s ability to pass on its genes to subsequent generations. Investigation into the factors that impact offspring survival can reveal the selective forces that shape populations over time. We used six years of data to assess offspring survival in Rwenzori Angolan colobus (Colobus angolensis ruwenzorii) living in Uganda. These monkeys live in a multi-level society, whereby individuals associate non-randomly in at least three tiers: the core unit, the clan, and the band. We tracked 77 infants from birth until three years of age or death, noting all changes in core unit composition, as well as monthly changes in food availability. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate survival probabilities, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the influence of high-quality food during early-life, unit size, and the immigration of new males on infant survival. Immigration of a male(s) was significantly associated with infant mortality (HR = 1.77, 95% CI [1.35, 2.40]), though not necessarily immediately following the immigration event. One third of the deaths (4/12) occurred within a month or less of male immigration. Infanticide by males is a reproductive strategy whereby males kill unrelated infants so that their mother resumes estrous, allowing the male an opportunity to reproduce. We suggest that male immigration can occasionally result in infanticide in our study population but also likely impacts infant survival through another mechanism(s), such as the loss of care provided by putative fathers.