REPRODUCTIVE-PERFORMANCE IN A BREEDING COLONY OF BRAZILIAN SQUIRREL-MONKEYS (SAIMIRI-SCIUREUS)

Abstract

In a captive colony of Brazilian squirrel monkeys (S. sciureus), a discrete birth season was retained for 5 yr although its duration increased from 3 mo. in 1972 to 6 mo. in 1976. The ages of breeder females in this colony ranged from 3-14 yr, and within this range reproductive performance was not affected by age, although it was significantly better in feral than in colony-born females. The latter had a lower pregnancy rate and a higher incidence of neonatal and fetal deaths than did the feral monkeys. The reproductive and maternal capabilities of the colony-born females were probably adversely affected by the practice of removing neonates from their mothers at weaning and raising them with age-mates. [Maintaining breeding colonies of S. sciureus for research purposes was discussed.].