ABS 2023
Search
Early intersexual differences in the sexual behavior of wild capuchin monkeys (Sapajus xanthosternos)
Irene Delval1, 2, Nayara Teles1, Jaroslava V. Valentova1, Patr�cia Izar1, Jean-Baptiste Leca2. 1Institute of Psychology- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of S�o Paulo, S�o Paulo, SP, Brazil; 2Department of Psychology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada

Capuchin monkeys are known for the richness and diversity of their sexual repertoire which includes courtship displays, manual, oral, and genital stimulations and mounting interactions between same-sex and different-sex partners. Yet, the developmental pathways of sexual behavior during ontogeny are understudied. Sexual behavior before sexual maturation is usually interpreted via the “need-of-practice” hypothesis. We investigated the development of sexual behavior in wild infant capuchin monkeys. Eight subjects were focal-followed and filmed weekly for the 12 months of life. Types and order of appearance of sexual behaviors were compared between males and females. Males performed sexual behaviors (e.g., immature mounting attempts) earlier than females. Most (socio)sexual interactions were performed by two males during social play. There were marked differences in the sexual repertoire of males and females. However, it is unclear why males would need to practice more than females, since in Sapajus, females lead courtship and reproduce earlier than males. Studying early stages of sexual behavior contributes to unraveling sexuality development, and its flexibility along the lifespan.

Spanish Version

Los monos capuchinos son conocidos por la riqueza y diversidad de su repertorio sexual, que incluye exhibiciones de corte, estimulaciones manuales, orales y genitales, as� como montas entre individuos del mismo sexo y de sexos diferentes. Sin embargo, las rutas del desarrollo del comportamiento sexual durante la ontogenia son poco estudiados. Por lo general, se interpreta el comportamiento sexual antes de la madurez sexual a trav�s de la hip�tesis de "necesidad de pr�ctica". Aqu�, investigamos el desarrollo del comportamiento sexual en infantes de capuchinos salvajes. Ocho sujetos fueron seguidos focalmente y filmados semanalmente durante los 12 meses de vida. Se compararon los tipos y el orden de aparici�n de los comportamientos sexuales entre machos y hembras. Los machos realizaron comportamientos sexuales (e.g., intentos inmaduros de monta) antes que las hembras. La mayor�a de las interacciones (socio)sexuales fueron realizadas por dos machos durante el juego social. Hubo marcadas diferencias en el repertorio sexual de machos y hembras. Sin embargo, no est� claro por qu� los machos necesitar�an practicar m�s que las hembras, ya que en Sapajus, las hembras lideran el cortejo y se reproducen antes que los machos. Estudiar las etapas tempranas del comportamiento sexual contribuye a desentra�ar el desarrollo de la sexualidad y su flexibilidad a lo largo de la vida.