1/6 Are hormones involved in facultative paternal care?
Monogamous red-bellied #lemurs live in prs. Dads are in contact w infants as much as men in US & some months more than moms. But there's LOTS of variation! Dads provide 0-37% of all care across development.
#AnimBehav2021

2/6 Estradiol maternal sensitivity. In a few spp with obligate paternal care (incl. us) it in expectant males. Does it also in facultative spp with loads of variation BEFORE infants are born? Is it associated w infant care behavior AFTER infants are born?
#AnimBehav2021

3/6 We studied lemurs in Ranomafana Natl Park, Madagascar rainforest for 2 yrs @CentreValBio. We collected ~2700h behavioral data & fecal samples for hormone analysis. We have data during fetal & infant development. Samples analyzed @LEEPUArizona. The team was BIG
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4/6
Expectant male estradiol 4x ~10 days before their infants' birth! Here are 4 males' profiles. This could prep them for fatherhood.
Estradiol unrelated to huddle, carry, play, groom, hold, & composite score (Total Care). No support for short-term role.
#AnimBehav2021

5/6 We HAVE found that androgens vary w care. They w infant carrying BUT most strongly associated w grooming & huddling-and it's a POSITIVE relationship! Short-term changes in EITHER direction can facilitate care behav. (nurture/defense).
#AnimBehav2021 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031938417304298

6/6 This spp w facultative paternal care makes prenatal & postnatal hormone adjustments. Prenatally estradiol could prep them for paternal care once infants arrive (or reflect wt gain), but isn't associated w acute behavioral changes like androgens are. TY!
#AnimBehav2021