Primate Infanticide - Essay Example

Primate Infanticide Primate Infanticide Primate infanticide has overtime been one of the most controversial s in theworld of anthropology. This is because anthropologists have provided contrasting information in regard to whether the practice is simply a male reproductive strategy or is a pathological behavior, compelled by the high population of primates. This essay aims to analyze the two hypothesis above, and establish that indeed the practice is as a result of the sexual behavior of primates.

According to ethologists who study animal behavior, primates have the habit of staying in groups, for that makes it easier for them to acquire food and at the same time identify and evade any source of potential danger. Primate infanticide mainly takes place when male primates take control of groups comprising of their female colleagues, installs one of them as an alpha who then orders the killing of all the young male primates who have not yet weaned. Those in favor of the pathological behavior ideology share the opinion that primate infanticide comes about because of population pressure (Borries et al, 1999).

Their perception is based on the fact that primate infanticide is not a normal make up, but is likely to take place whenever there is an excessive population of primates within a given locality. To corroborate their perception, such scholars argue that primate infanticide habitually takes place when a specific set of primates reside within a region with insufficient resources, such as food. The highlighted information notwithstanding, conclusive evidence has recently pointed out that primate infanticide is basically a male reproductive strategy.

This is because females who lose their male offspring early are prospective to resume sexual activity earlier compared to those who keep their offspring (Borries et al, 1999). Consequently, they are set to bear their next infants sooner than the females with surviving infants. Additionally, further research has pointed out the fact that in most instances males who have borne children with the females have not been related to the killed infant. It is similarly important to note that further research has pointed out to the fact that the infanticidal males are normally new immigrants who were either sexually immature or did not copulate with the female group member earlier.

Similarly, the male members have gone ahead to remain as members of the group for a substantial duration. The information discussed above on the sexual selection hypothesis may have been conclusive in the past, for there was no evidence that the new immigrants were responsible for copulating with the females and bear another generation of offspring. Nonetheless, it is imperative to note that data on particular primate groups was collected and subjected to DNA analysis, which undeniably confirmed that the new immigrants were responsible for most of the pregnancies that existed within primates.

In concluding, it is imperative to note that not only primates practice infanticide, but it is a behavior that is rampant across some groups of birds and lions as well. Whereas some anthropology scholars attribute primate infanticide to pathological behavior, it is important to remember that comprehensive research point out to the practice being a male reproductive strategy. ReferencesBorries, C., Launhardt, K., Epplen, C., Epplen, J. T., & Winkler, P. (1999). DNA analyses support the hypothesis that infanticide is adaptive in langur monkeys.

The Royal Society, 266, pg. 901-904. Palombit, R. A. (n.d). Infanticide and the Evolution of Pair Bonds in Nonhuman Primates. Evolutionary Anthropology.