Examining behaviour across reproductive states in wild Costa Rican capuchins (Cebus capucinus imitator)

Abstract

Primates employ multiple strategies to address energy demands of reproduction, including decreasing intensity or duration of physical activity and/or increasing energy intake. Primates increase their energy intake during times of peak demand by: 1) increasing time spent foraging; 2) increasing food intake rate; or 3) selecting for high-energy foods. I investigated activity budgets in white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus imitator) at in Costa Rica. I found that: 1) compared to pregnant capuchins, lactating individuals spent significantly more time in low energy states and 2) consumed insects at a higher rate. In comparison, 3) there were no significant differences between pregnant and cycling capuchins. Results suggest that 1) lactation is more energetically expensive than gestation in this species, and that capuchin mothers adjust behaviour to mitigate energy costs; 2) lactating females increase intake rates of insects, and 3) pregnant females do not rely on behavioural strategies to address energy and protein costs.