Page 49 - Demo

Sexually selective cognition in primates472to ensure that genetic diversity is optimized within the population. However, these breeding assignments are often not fulfilled. In general, only approximately 20% of breeding recommendations result in offspring (Cronin et al., 2006; Faust et al., 2019), and this number may be even lower in species with a long generation length (Faust et al., 2019). One potential explanation is that “couples” that seem to be a good match based on pedigree information, do not always prefer each other as mates. Therefore, we suggest that conservation breeding programs should employ computerized tasks to identify mate preferences and incorporate these into their breeding recommendations.Recent studies have suggested that conservation breeding programs should try to incorporate mate preferences when formulating breeding assignments (Asa et al., 2011; Martin & Shepherdson, 2012; Martin-Wintle et al., 2019). By incorporating such preferences, the probability of mate incompatibility can be reduced, thereby increasing reproductive output. Recent studies have convincingly shown that allowing animals to choose their mates can increase reproductive success (Martin-Wintle et al., 2019). This conclusion is based on studies using a lover’s lane setup, in which an individual can inspect multiple potential mates. By scoring the behaviour of the chooser (e.g., affiliation), researchers can identify the preferred mate of the chooser (Martin-Wintle et al., 2019). For instance, MartinWintle et al. (2015) investigated the relationship between mate choice and reproductive success in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). They measured mate preferences by allowing pandas to interact with multiple opposite-sex individuals in adjacent enclosures. Based on their behaviour, they formed free mate choice pairs and control pairs, and found that allowing for free mate choice was associated with higher reproductive success. Thus, incorporating mate preferences can increase pairing success and reproductive output.However, this lover’s lane setup is not suitable for all zoo-housed animals (e.g., great apes), as their future mates are typically housed at distant locations. Therefore, the development of practical long-distance methods to reliably test mate preferences is essential (Asa et al., 2011). Further research on sexually selective cognition in primates might be helpful in practical terms. By developing reliable methods that can measure preferences and biases for specific individuals or individual characteristics, it would be possible to measure individual mate preferences to some extent before an individual is transferred to a new zoo. This approach may potentially increase the success of the introduction and reproductive success.Tom Roth.indd 47 08-01-2024 10:41