Preliminary study on mother-approved infant handling behavior of black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti)

What is it about?

This study explores "Mother-Approved Infant Handling (MAIH)" in black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys, where non-maternal individuals handle infants with the mother's consent. Observed in a semi-provisioned breeding band in China, MAIH peaks in the first 60 days after birth, mostly involving juvenile and nulliparous females. Nulliparous females engage in MAIH more frequently, supporting the "learning-to-mother" hypothesis, where non-reproductive females gain maternal skills. These findings highlight the role of MAIH in primate social dynamics and suggest parallels to human maternal care. Future research should focus on the impact of MAIH on offspring survival and maternal success.

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