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Male reproductive success in harem troops of hanuman langurs (Presbytis entellus)

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Abstract

Based on cross-sectional and longitudinal data collected in 1967–1988 by various observers, male reproductive success was studied in the Hanuman langurs of Jodhpur, India. The harem-structured social organization ensures a high degree of paternity certainty. Births occur throughout the year, with significant peaks and minima in March and November, respectively (n =398).The interbirth interval averages 16.7 months (n = 114).The duration of harem residencies varies between 3 days and ≥ 74.0 months, with a mean of 26.5 (n = 64). Harem holder replacements occur during all months of the year. No male achieves residency in more than one troop, suggesting that residency is associated with a distinct peak in the resource holding potential of a given male. Reproductive success among males varies considerably. Male mortality is high due to migration and intrasexual competition, leading to an adult sex ratio of 1:4.9. It is estimated that one-quarter of all adult males will never gain harem residency. Conceptions achieved outside harem residencies are so rare (4.7%) that a viable low-risk strategy, opting for longevity instead of harem residency, is unlikely. Tenure length has a stronger influence on male reproductive success than harem size because interbirth intervals are significantly shorter in small harems than in larger ones. It is assumed that females in one-male breeding structures compete for sperm and that such competition is more intense in larger harems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Anthropologie, UniversitÄt Göttingen, Bürgerstrasse 50, 34, Göttingen, FRG

    Volker Sommer

  2. Department of Zoology, University of Jodhpur, 342001, Jodhpur, India

    Lai Singh Rajpurohit

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  1. Volker Sommer
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  2. Lai Singh Rajpurohit
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Sommer, V., Rajpurohit, L.S. Male reproductive success in harem troops of hanuman langurs (Presbytis entellus). Int J Primatol 10, 293–317 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02737419

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02737419

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