The biology of prolonged lactation in wild Macaca sinica: Interbirth intervals, maternal depletion, infant mortality

A sample of 442 female toque macaques distributed among 39 independent social groups were briefly captured, sedated, and released (within one day) during 13 different years in the period 1986-2002 at the natural forest site of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, where long-term sociobiological research has been conducted (1968 to 2023).  All macaques were individually identified and had known life-histories.  Lactation was determined by testing females for the presence of absence of milk by manually massaging the mammary tissue.  Female reproduction in this wild population was depicted from different perspectives.  Firstly, lactation and weaning were linked to offspring age, as well as to female reproductive status (cycling, gestation, and quiescence).  A second data set examines interbirth intervals in relation to lactation duration, diet, and somatic growth or parity. Differences in diet quality were also related to menarche.  A third data set examined female body condition (using skinfold thickn..., Individual animal identification: The methods involve hand-written notes of field observation of individually identified macaques in their natural habitat at Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, according to established protocols as described in earlier publications.National Research Council (1981). Techniques for aging and sexing primates. In: Techniques for the Study of Primate Population Ecology. pp 81-134.  Washington, DC, National Academy Press.  Also: Dittus, WPJ (1990). Manual for the Identification of Individual Toque Macaque, unpublished training manual, Smithsonian Primate Biology Program. All research staff are trained in these methods. 
Vital statistics: (dates of birth and death, age, survival, death, sex, reproductive conditiion) are based on monthly census of all macaque groups by trained field staff. During the birth season females were observed more frequenlty in order to poinpoint dates of birth. 
Milk sampling: Temporary capture and sedation of macaques was used for purposes of mi..., Microsoft 365 EXCEL for spreadsheet entries. (Microsoft corporation) 
SigmaPlot 14.5 for statistical analysis and graphic figures. (SYSTAT software Inc.)
Microsoft 365 WORD for document format. (Microsoft Corporation), This readme file was generated on 2023-12-08 by Wolfgang Dittus

GENERAL INFORMATION

Title of Dataset: Dataset re lactation, weaning age, interbirth interval, offspring survival, female reproduction & behavior for wild Macaca s sinica in Sri Lanka (1971-2002).

Author/Principal Investigator Information

Name: Wolfgang P J Dittus (WD)
ORCID: 0000-0001-7981-3968
Institution: Smithsonian Institution USA, & National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka
Address: Washington, DC,20008
Email: [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]

Author/Associate or Co-investigator Information

Name: Anne M. Baker (AB)
ORCID: n/a
Institution: Association for the Conservation of Primate Diversity
Address: Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka and Jonesboro, MA 04648
Email: [e-mail]

Date of data collection:
Deomography (vital statistics), Ecology & Behavior: 1968/10/15 to 2002/10/15.(WD)
Mother-Infant behavioral relationships: 1977-1983 (AB)
Milk sampli...