Reproductive Strategies of Some African Monkeys

Abstract

Seven species of African monkeys, living in captive breeding groups, differed in rate of maturation, birth interval, and probably longevity. Some of these differences could be related to natural habitat, with grassland species maturing and breeding faster than forest species. Only two species showed any effect of climatic changes on conception rate; both were affected by rainfall at the equatorial site, and both are reported to breed seasonally in the wild. One seasonally breeding species, the patas, became aseasonal in captivity. A social facilitatory effect on conceptions was indicated for one species, the vervet. Species specific demographic characteristics could be the main cause of species differences in social organization.