Maternal Care and Life History in Primates

Comparative Approach

Analyzing differences between primate maternal care.

Life History Traits

Patterns of key life events in organisms.

R-selected Species

Produce many offspring, invest little care.

K-selected Species

Fewer offspring, high investment in care.

Mouse Lemur

Small primate with shorter lifespan and high offspring.

Gorilla

Large primate with longer lifespan and fewer offspring.

Human Lifespan

Longer lifespan compared to most primates.

Post-reproductive Period

Time after menopause when reproduction stops.

True Menopause

Complete cessation of reproduction in females.

Altricial Young

Underdeveloped young requiring significant parental care.

Precocial Young

Well-developed young capable of independent movement.

Juvenile Period

Time of growth and challenges after weaning.

Gestation Length

Longer in primates than in similar-sized mammals.

Body Fat in Primates

Higher in humans, supports energy needs for growth.

Brain Growth

Prioritized over body mass in primate development.

Alloparenting

Care from non-parent individuals to support offspring.

Parental Investment

Time and energy parents invest in offspring.

Cortisol Levels

Higher levels indicate stress, lower in caring fathers.

Prolactin

Hormone promoting milk production and infant care.

Human Infant Dependency

Longer dependency period compared to other primates.

Male Parental Care

Direct involvement of males in offspring rearing.

Mammalian Milk Composition

Varies based on nursing style and infant needs.

Human Cultural Adaptations

Buffer against wild primate mortality rates.

Juvenile Mortality Reduction

Lower mortality rates due to parental investment.

Maternal Strategies

Different approaches to raising offspring in mammals.

Energy Needs for Growth

High energy requirements for brain development.

Baboons' Reproductive Success

Influenced by environmental factors like food availability.

Chimpanzee Reproduction

Slower reproductive rate compared to humans.

Human Reproductive Strategies

Adaptations for raising more expensive offspring.