Title |
Living apart together - Patterns, ecological basis, and reproductive consequences of life in dispersed pairs of fork-marked lemurs (Phaner furcifer, Primates). |
Summary |
The general goal of this dissertation was to study the three components of the social system of fork-marked lemurs (Phaner furcifer), a small nocturnal primate from Madagascar living in dispersed pairs. First, I characterise their social organization, focusing on behavioural mechanisms of cohesion between pair partners. Second, through applicationof van Schaik's ecological model, I investigate predictions about the ecological basis of female intra-sexual avoidance, male-female social relationships and the determinantsof differential female reproductive success. Finally, I analyse behavioural and genetic aspects of the mating system to test a recent hypothesis that proposes high extra-pair paternity in dispersed primate pairs resulting from constraints on male mate guarding. The study was conducted in Kirindy Forest in Madagascar between September 1998 and April 2001 during three field seasons for a total of 20 months. |