Ernst W. Hansen

Effect of parental feeding activity on squab-induced crop sac growth in ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Effects of parental regurgitation feeding activity on crop sac development were studied in mate-separated male and female ring doves given 2 hr of daily exposure to food-deprived or recently fed squabs, for 4 consecutive days during the early posthatching period of the breeding cycle. In both sexes, food-deprived squabs stimulated more squab-directed activity, more parental regurgitation feeding activity, and greater crop sac development than recently fed young. Crop sac weights of males in both groups tended to be positively correlated with one or more parental activities. Correlations obtained in males exposed to food-deprived young further suggested that tactile stimuli associated with regurgitation behavior may promote crop sac development. In contrast to males, crop sac weights of females in both groups were not highly correlated with any type of contact-related parental activity or group of activities. These results, together with previous findings, suggest that nontactile stimuli from young played some role in mediating female crop sac weight differences in the two exposure conditions.

Infantile sexuality in monkeys.

Developmental patterns of sexuality for young male and female rhesus monkeys are illustrated. These patterns show oral, anal, and phallic components, in a manner reminiscent of Freuds postulated stages of human psychosexual development. Unequivocal sex differences exist at early ages. Significantly more pelvic thrusting is demonstrated by young males. Infantile female monkeys rarely exhibit male-type behavior, and males rarely exhibit responses of females. “Inappropriate” sexual posturing is seen in young monkeys prior to effective adult-type genital approximation. This is easily demonstrated by photographs taken during monkey “play periods.” Evidence is presented that a biological power exists which underlies a monkeys reproductive ends, independent of “training.” These findings may bear significance with respect to human sexuality.