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Reproductive constraints on aggressive competition in female baboons

Nature volume 373, pages 60–63 (1995)Cite this article

Abstract

COMPETITIVE interaction between females of the same social group is characteristic of most primate species1–3. In Old World monkeys, females of high social rank maintain priority of access to scarce resources and harass low-ranking companions1–6. But different field studies have found differing correlations between female dominance and reproductive success: several populations show an advantage of rank whereas others do not1,3,5,7. Although such variation may reflect divergent levels of predation, food availability or social stress in different environments, female competitive ability may also be balanced by significant reproductive costs and thus be subject to strong stabilizing selection. We report here that high-ranking female baboons (Papio cynocephalm anubis) at Gombe National Park, Tanzania, enjoy shorter interbirth intervals, improved infant survival, and accelerated maturation of their daughters. These advantages, however, are countered by a significantly higher probability of miscarriage, and a proportion of high-ranking females suffer from reduced fertility.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department EEB, University of Minnesota, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA

    Craig Packer

  2. ICAPB, Ashworth Laboratory, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JT, UK

    D. A. Collins

  3. Gombe Stream Research Centre, Box 185, Kigoma, Tanzania

    A. Sindimwo & J. Goodall

Authors
  1. Craig Packer
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  2. D. A. Collins
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  3. A. Sindimwo
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  4. J. Goodall
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Packer, C., Collins, D., Sindimwo, A. et al. Reproductive constraints on aggressive competition in female baboons. Nature 373, 60–63 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/373060a0

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