Reproductive events of wild cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) in Colombia.

Reproductive patterns of wild cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) females located in La Reserva Forestal Protectora Serranía de Coraza-Montes de María in Colosó, Colombia, were examined using long-term behavioral observations and fecal steroid analysis. Using an enzyme immunoassay, we analyzed fecal samples for E1C and PdG. Comparisons of reproductive cycles of a reproductively active female and her daughters were made. An inhibition of ovarian cycles has been observed in daughters living in their families. However, daughters also exhibited normal ovarian cycling that subsequently resulted in pregnancy. Factors influencing the fertility are discussed as they relate to the reproductive strategies of wild cotton-top tamarin females.

Demography, group composition, and dispersal in wild cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) groups.

Groups of individually marked cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus), located in La Reserva Forestal Protectora Serranía de Coraza-Montes de María in Colosó Colombia, were studied over a period of 5 years. Data on group composition, stability, birthing seasons, and dispersal patterns are used to examine the reproductive strategies and tactics used by males and females. Both monogamous groups and groups containing two pregnant females have been observed. All groups contained at least one adult female and male, with several groups containing several adult males and females. Both males and females dispersed to neighboring groups, and there were no sex differences in rates of emigration. Males were more likely to immigrate into a new group following the death/emigration of a resident male. Females appeared to tolerate immigrating females but would actively defend their breeding position during fertile periods. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The cotton-top tamarin revisited: Mhc class I polymorphism of wild tamarins, and polymorphism and allelic diversity of the class II DQA1, DQB1, and DRB loci.

Cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) in captivity are unusual in that they exhibit low levels of polymorphism and allelic diversity at the major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) class I loci. Since the polymorphism has previously only been examined in captive tamarins, we analyzed the Mhc class I alleles of a population of wild tamarins. These wild tamarins, like their captive counterparts, exhibited limited class I polymorphism. We also assessed the levels of polymorphism and allelic diversity at the Mhc class II DQA1, DQB1, DQB2, and the DRB loci in captive populations of cotton-top tamarins. In contrast to the extensive polymorphism in Old World monkeys, only two alleles were detected at each of DQA1 and DQB1. Also, the DQB2 locus was monomorphic and conserved between New and Old World monkeys. Sequences derived from four putative DRB loci were obtained, and extensive polymorphism was found at all four loci. Phylogenetic analysis did not indicate that any of the tamarin DRB loci, with the possible exception of Saoe-DRB3, were orthologous to the human DRB loci. At three of the DRB loci (Saoe-DRB11, Saoe-DRB*W12, Saoe-DRB*W22), the number of nonsynonymous changes was higher than the number of synonymous changes in the putative antigen recognition sites, indicative of positive selection. We found no support for a restriction on the polymorphism at the cotton-top tamarin class II loci. However, the allelic diversity at some of the Saoe-DRB loci is more limited than for the HLA-DRB1, consistent with a restriction imposed by the bone marrow-chimerical lifestyle.