Preferences of female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) for infantile coloration. 1987

J D Higley, and W D Hopkins, and R M Hirsch, and L M Marra, and S J Suomi

While developmental researchers have long noted that infants of many mammalian species, including primates, have characteristic physical features, such as a distinctive coat or skin color, and some authors have further suggested that these features serve to elicit caretaking and solicitous behavior, few systematic investigations of the actual salience of such features for adult conspecifics have been carried out to date. The present series of 3 studies sought to determine whether natal coat and/or facial skin coloration might provide desirable visual stimulation for rhesus monkey adult females. In these studies the faces and/or fur of 6-month-old rhesus monkeys were dyed to simulate the normal coloration of rhesus monkey neonates. Adult females varying in parity and rearing history were then tested for their relative preference between these infantile-colored 6-month-olds and both normally colored 6-month-olds and other differentially colored control stimulus monkeys. Results indicated that regardless of parity or rearing history the adult female subjects exhibited consistent preferences for the stimulus animals with neonatal-like reddish-pink facial skin coloration.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D008251 Macaca A genus of the subfamily CERCOPITHECINAE, family CERCOPITHECIDAE, consisting of 16 species inhabiting forests of Africa, Asia, and the islands of Borneo, Philippines, and Celebes. Ape, Barbary,Ape, Black,Ape, Celebes,Barbary Ape,Black Ape,Celebes Ape,Macaque,Apes, Barbary,Apes, Black,Apes, Celebes,Barbary Apes,Black Apes,Celebes Apes,Macacas,Macaques
D008253 Macaca mulatta A species of the genus MACACA inhabiting India, China, and other parts of Asia. The species is used extensively in biomedical research and adapts very well to living with humans. Chinese Rhesus Macaques,Macaca mulatta lasiota,Monkey, Rhesus,Rhesus Monkey,Rhesus Macaque,Chinese Rhesus Macaque,Macaca mulatta lasiotas,Macaque, Rhesus,Rhesus Macaque, Chinese,Rhesus Macaques,Rhesus Macaques, Chinese,Rhesus Monkeys
D008425 Maternal Behavior The behavior patterns associated with or characteristic of a mother. Maternal Patterns of Care,Maternal Care Patterns,Behavior, Maternal,Behaviors, Maternal,Care Pattern, Maternal,Care Patterns, Maternal,Maternal Behaviors,Maternal Care Pattern,Pattern, Maternal Care,Patterns, Maternal Care
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D012059 Rejection, Psychology Non-acceptance, negative attitudes, hostility or excessive criticism of the individual which may precipitate feelings of rejection. Psychological Rejection,Rejection (Psychology),Psychology Rejection,Rejection, Psychological
D002755 Choice Behavior The act of making a selection among two or more alternatives, usually after a period of deliberation. Approach Behavior,Approach Behaviors,Behavior, Approach,Behavior, Choice,Behaviors, Approach,Behaviors, Choice,Choice Behaviors
D003118 Color Perception Mental processing of chromatic signals (COLOR VISION) from the eye by the VISUAL CORTEX where they are converted into symbolic representations. Color perception involves numerous neurons, and is influenced not only by the distribution of wavelengths from the viewed object, but also by its background color and brightness contrast at its boundary. Color Perceptions,Perception, Color,Perceptions, Color
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

Related Publications

J D Higley, and W D Hopkins, and R M Hirsch, and L M Marra, and S J Suomi
February 1970, Laboratory animal care,
J D Higley, and W D Hopkins, and R M Hirsch, and L M Marra, and S J Suomi
May 1998, Developmental psychobiology,
J D Higley, and W D Hopkins, and R M Hirsch, and L M Marra, and S J Suomi
May 1989, Veterinary pathology,
J D Higley, and W D Hopkins, and R M Hirsch, and L M Marra, and S J Suomi
September 1986, Journal of gerontology,
J D Higley, and W D Hopkins, and R M Hirsch, and L M Marra, and S J Suomi
September 1940, Science (New York, N.Y.),
J D Higley, and W D Hopkins, and R M Hirsch, and L M Marra, and S J Suomi
January 1982, Journal of medical primatology,
J D Higley, and W D Hopkins, and R M Hirsch, and L M Marra, and S J Suomi
August 1999, Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior,
J D Higley, and W D Hopkins, and R M Hirsch, and L M Marra, and S J Suomi
March 1991, Advances in contraception : the official journal of the Society for the Advancement of Contraception,
J D Higley, and W D Hopkins, and R M Hirsch, and L M Marra, and S J Suomi
April 1984, Laboratory animal science,
J D Higley, and W D Hopkins, and R M Hirsch, and L M Marra, and S J Suomi
February 1970, The British veterinary journal,
Copied contents to your clipboard!