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Secondary transfer of adult mantled howlers (Alouatta palliata) on Hacienda La Pacifica, Costa Rica: 1975–2009

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Abstract

Natal emigration by male and female mantled howlers (Alouatta palliata), and subsequent immigration into breeding groups, is well documented for the free-ranging population on Hacienda La Pacifica, Costa Rica, but secondary transfer was considered rare (Glander in Int J Primatol 3:415–436, 1992). Population surveys in 1998 and 2006 caused us to question our assumptions and to re-evaluate our long-term data set from a post hoc perspective. We first identified all animals observed or captured as adults in more than one non-natal group anywhere in the population. We then systematically analyzed joining or leaving by adults in seven groups tracked for various times from 1975 to 2005 for patterns suggesting secondary transfer. Fourteen adults (nine females, five males) were found in two different non-natal groups as adults. In addition, one male and one female that became dominant and reproduced in their natal group later transferred to a second group, and one female was known to be a tertiary transfer. Data from the seven tracked social groups indicate that 35% of all the males and 29% of all the females were potential secondary transfers. In these groups, males leaving or joining was not associated with group size or absolute number of females. Females leaving or joining was not associated with group size or absolute number of males, but females left groups with more females and joined groups with fewer females. Both sexes left groups with unfavorable sex ratios for their sex and joined groups with sex ratios more favorable for their sex. Since a favorable sex ratio is associated with reproductive success in other howler populations, this suggests secondary transfer as a reproductive strategy. Other factors could also influence secondary transfer.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the multitude of students who have worked with us over this long-term study, many Earthwatch teams, School for Field Studies, COSEN teams, and numerous other volunteers. Funding support has come from the National Science Foundation, the NIH base grant to the Tulane National Primate Research Center, National Geographic Research Grants, The Explorer’s Club, American Society of Primatologists Conservation Grant, Duke University, Newcomb College of Tulane University, Latin American Studies of Tulane University, Loyola University, and Johns Hopkins Medical School. We would also like to thank the Hagnauer family, Fernando Estrada, Mark Teaford, Evan Zucker, and Richard Nisbett for their part in supporting this research. We also thank Richard Nisbett, Leslie Digby, Christine Drea, Randall Ford, and Catherine Workman for comments on previous drafts. All animals were handled under an approved protocol from Duke University and in accordance with Costa Rican wildlife laws.

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  1. Margaret R. Clarke

    Present address: Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, UTHSC-Houston, 6431 Fannin St. MSB 7.046, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, 70433, USA

    Margaret R. Clarke

  2. Department of Anthropology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA

    Margaret R. Clarke

  3. Department of Biological Anthropology and Anatomy, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA

    Margaret R. Clarke & Kenneth E. Glander

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Clarke, M.R., Glander, K.E. Secondary transfer of adult mantled howlers (Alouatta palliata) on Hacienda La Pacifica, Costa Rica: 1975–2009. Primates 51, 241–249 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-010-0195-5

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