The mother-offspring relationship in mountain goats (oreamnos americanus) (ungulates, behavior, weaning)
Seattle, Wash., Univ. of Washington, Diss., 1984
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| Sprache: | eng |
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Tag hinzufügen | Zusammenfassung: | Seattle, Wash., Univ. of Washington, Diss., 1984 An introduced population of mountain goats was studied in Olympic National Park, Washington from 1978-1981. Supplementary research was conducted on a captive herd at the Woodland Park Zoological Gardens, Seattle, Washington from 1982-1983. Quantitative data were collected on many aspects of the mother-infant relationship. An attempt was made to interpret the data in light of current sociobiological theory. Three births were documented in Captivity. Parturition and early maternal behavior were described and found to be similar to that of other ruminants. Early maternal behavior consisted primarily of grooming and nursing the infant. Mountain goat kids were highly precocial and exhibited rapid behavioral and physical development. Kids stood and suckled for the first time 12-22 and 26-90 minutes post-partum, respectively. Functional and adaptive aspects of early maternal behavior are discussed. The weaning process in mountain goats was studied in detail. The behavior of females and young during suckling events was consistent with Triver's (1974) parent-offspring conflict theory. Females restricted access to their udders, but kids appeared to possess strategies for obtaining milk even in the absence of parental compliance. Four different suckling approach modes were identified: side, frontal, rear, and run-around. Variations in suckling approach behavior were presumed to increase a kid's chances of contacting the udder. It was hypothesized that stimulation of the udder may be advantageous even in the absence of an immediate nutritional benefit. The teats of female mammals are highly innervated, and tactile stimulation is known to evoke the release of oxytocin and prolactin, pituitary hormones that inhibit mammary regression. Dissociation of females and offspring typically occurred at the birth of a new kid. However, when females failed to reproduce in consecutive years, they retained and continued to care for older offspring. High rates of offspring retention were associated with high population densities and low reproductive rates, suggesting that as females become incapable of reproduction, they switch to a strategy of extended care for older offspring. The costs and benefits of extended maternal care are evaluated and discussed. |
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| Beschreibung: | 378 S. |