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The Social System of Lariang Tarsiers (Tarsius lariang) as Revealed by Genetic Analyses

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Abstract

Previous sociobiological studies of tarsiers were invariably based on field observations. Sulawesi tarsiers are known for monogamous or facultative polygynous social mating systems, but, to date, no data exist to describe the genetic mating system. We here bring together behavioral studies and molecular tools for the first time to elucidate mating behavior and kinship within a tarsier population. We investigated the social system of the recently described Tarsius lariang, which researchers have never studied before. Between September and November 2005, we conducted field observations and sampling in central Sulawesi, Indonesia, where this species is endemic. Ten of 11 social groups of the focal population were composed of 1 adult male, 1 adult female, and putative offspring. To enlighten genetic relationships, we used 12 microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA sequences of 26 captured and sampled Lariang tarsiers for parentage and relatedness analyses. A significant number of young were the offspring of the sampled group adults, suggesting a predominantly monogamous social and genetic mating system. There is evidence for extrapair young in groups in which adult pairs exhibit close relationships, leading to the assumption that extrapair mating is solicited to avoid inbreeding. Ten of 11 social groups lived in monogamous social systems, indicating monogamy to be the rule in Tarsius lariang.

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Acknowledgments

We thank PSSP-IPB, LIPI, PHKA, PHPA, and BTNLL for authorization and support of our research in Indonesia. We also thank our field assistants Cali, Ecil, Leo, Ojan, Thony, and Yulisan. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) grant Me2730/1-1 (to S. Merker) supported our work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anthropology, Johannes-Gutenberg University of Mainz, 55099, Mainz, Germany

    Christine Driller, Hans Zischler & Stefan Merker

  2. Primate Research Center, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, 16151, Indonesia

    Dyah Perwitasari-Farajallah

  3. Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia

    Dyah Perwitasari-Farajallah

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  1. Christine Driller
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Correspondence to Christine Driller.

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Driller, C., Perwitasari-Farajallah, D., Zischler, H. et al. The Social System of Lariang Tarsiers (Tarsius lariang) as Revealed by Genetic Analyses. Int J Primatol 30, 267–281 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-009-9341-6

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