Flexible and conservative features of social systems in tufted capuchin monkeys: comparing the socioecology of Sapajus libidinosus and Sapajus nigritus

Socioecological models assume that primates adapt their social behavior to ecological conditions, and predict that food availability and distribution, predation risk and risk of infanticide by males affect patterns of social organization, social structure and mating system of primates. However, adaptability and variation of social behavior may be constrained by conservative adaptations and by phylogenetic inertia. The comparative study of closely related species can help to identify the relative contribution of ecological and of genetic determinants to primate social systems. We compared ecological features and social behavior of two species of the genus Sapajus, S. nigritus in Carlos Botelho State Park, an area of Atlantic Forest in Sao Paulo state, and S. libidinosus in Fazenda Boa Vista, a semi-arid habitat in Piaui state, Brazil. S. libidinosus perceived higher predation risk and fed on clumped, high quality, and usurpable resources (fruits) all year round, whereas S. nigritus perceived lower predation risk and relied on evenly distributed, low-quality food sources (leaves) during periods of fruit shortage. As predicted by socioecology models, S. libidinosus females were philopatric and established linear and stable dominance hierarchies, coalitions, and grooming relationships. S. nigritus females competed less often, and could transfer between groups, which might explain the lack of coalitions and grooming bonds among them. Both populations presented similar group size and composition and the same polygynous mating system. The species differed from each other in accordance with differences in the characteristics of their main food sources, as predicted by socioecological models, suggesting that phylogenetic inertia does not constrain social relationships established among female Sapajus. The similarity in mating systems indicates that this element of the social system is not affected by ecological variables and thus, is a more conservative behavioral feature of the genus Sapajus. Am. J. Primatol. 74:315331, 2012. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Can stable isotope analysis and tooth histology assist in detecting stillbirth? An approach using neonatal remains from the Roman settlement Studen Petinesca

Infant burials in Roman settlements are a common observation. Even though ancient authors provide information many questions remain uncertain. For instance, the burial ritual for stillbirth and infanticide neonates is not specifically mentioned. This study therefore aimed to investigate the application of stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) isotopes from neonatal bone collagen in differentiating between a breastfeeding signal and stillbirth or a short survival of less than ten days. For this purpose collagen of 11 human and 14 non-human bones from the Roman settlement Petinesca (1st - 3rd century AD, Switzerland) was extracted and analysed for δ15N and δ13C. Tooth histology was performed for the central incisor and canine of the right mandible in order to investigate the presence of a neonatal line. According to the length of the long bones the age varied between 8.5 lunar months to 2 months ex utero. The stable isotope results provided a breastfeeding signal for all except one individual where the breastfeeding signal was absent. The tooth histological analysis of this individual exhibited no neonatal line. It is concluded that stable isotope analysis could indicate stillbirth or a short survival after birth. The tooth histology confirmed the stable isotope results. Furthermore, this might indicate that the burial ritual did not differentiate between stillbirth and neonates, who died within the time span stated by ancient authors of up to 40 days of age or the appearance of teeth. However, for further justifications additional research is going to be conducted.

Infanticidios : Historias de vida

Este trabajo de investigación busca encontrar articulaciones entre situaciones de violencia en la vida de las victimarías y el acto infanticida. Se ha considerado fundamentar la misma en la perspectiva de los estudios de género, por cuanto entendemos que no pueden recortarse ni ignorarse las marcas e inscripciones de violencia material y simbólica, así como las significaciones imaginarias que producen la subjetividad femenina. El acto infanticida, en tanto acto humano, tiene múltiples atravesamientos, entre los cuales hemos privilegiado las líneas antropológica, psicológica y sociológica. La elección de una metodología cualitativa de investigación y las técnicas de historia de vida y entrevista en profundidad, dentro de ella, dan cuenta de este propósito de comprender cómo se inscribe el acto infanticida en la vida de estas mujeres que cumplen sentencia en establecimientos penitenciarios bonaerenses. La constitución interdisciplinaria del equipo de investigación busca una síntesis integradora de los enfoques interdisciplinarios

Infanticidios : Historias de vida

Este trabajo de investigación busca encontrar articulaciones entre situaciones de violencia en la vida de las victimarías y el acto infanticida. Se ha considerado fundamentar la misma en la perspectiva de los estudios de género, por cuanto entendemos que no pueden recortarse ni ignorarse las marcas e inscripciones de violencia material y simbólica, así como las significaciones imaginarias que producen la subjetividad femenina. El acto infanticida, en tanto acto humano, tiene múltiples atravesamientos, entre los cuales hemos privilegiado las líneas antropológica, psicológica y sociológica. La elección de una metodología cualitativa de investigación y las técnicas de historia de vida y entrevista en profundidad, dentro de ella, dan cuenta de este propósito de comprender cómo se inscribe el acto infanticida en la vida de estas mujeres que cumplen sentencia en establecimientos penitenciarios bonaerenses. La constitución interdisciplinaria del equipo de investigación busca una síntesis integradora de los enfoques interdisciplinarios

Infanticidios : Historias de vida

Este trabajo de investigación busca encontrar articulaciones entre situaciones de violencia en la vida de las victimarías y el acto infanticida. Se ha considerado fundamentar la misma en la perspectiva de los estudios de género, por cuanto entendemos que no pueden recortarse ni ignorarse las marcas e inscripciones de violencia material y simbólica, así como las significaciones imaginarias que producen la subjetividad femenina. El acto infanticida, en tanto acto humano, tiene múltiples atravesamientos, entre los cuales hemos privilegiado las líneas antropológica, psicológica y sociológica. La elección de una metodología cualitativa de investigación y las técnicas de historia de vida y entrevista en profundidad, dentro de ella, dan cuenta de este propósito de comprender cómo se inscribe el acto infanticida en la vida de estas mujeres que cumplen sentencia en establecimientos penitenciarios bonaerenses. La constitución interdisciplinaria del equipo de investigación busca una síntesis integradora de los enfoques interdisciplinarios

Marriage, dowry, and women's status in rural Punjab, Pakistan

Dowry is a common custom observed in South Asian countries. It has been a target of an opposition movement because it is assumed to be a root cause of women's mistreatment, for example, in the form of sex-selective abortion, girls' malnutrition, female infanticide, and domestic homicide called "dowry murder." Despite its alleged evil consequences and the legal ban or restrictions on it, the custom has been extended, and recently, the dowry amount seems to be increasing. However, there is little empirical evidence of dowry's effects. This study empirically investigates the effects of dowry on women's status in rural Pakistan. We conducted a unique survey in rural Punjab, Pakistan, to explore the marriage practices there and to answer the research question. Results show that a higher dowry amount enhances women’s status in the marital household. This implies that an outright ban on dowries does not necessarily improve women's welfare at this time.

The gates of hell ajar,

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