REPRODUCTIVE PARAMETERS OF CAPTIVE GRAY-CHEEKED MANGABEYS

This paper reports reproductive parameters for 9 female grey-cheeked mangabeys kept in a captive colony over a 17-year period. Birth seasonality has shown a consistent trend towards an autumn peak. Oestrous cycles had an average length of 31.2 days: however 'short-cycle' (29.9 days) and 'long-cycle' (37.7 days) groups could be discriminated. Gestation was 175 days, with little variability. Variability in interbirth interval is mainly due to varying length of the cycling phase preceding the next gestation, suggesting influences of social factors. All these reproductive parameters are compared to those of baboons and macaques. Some conclusions about mangabey breeding colony management are drawn.