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Infanticide In Primates

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Infanticide In Primates
Many of the behaviors observed in primates are known to have evolutionary causes. Infanticide is one that has been questioned whether to be caused by an evolutionary purpose or pathological behaviors. Infanticide has been observed in the wild amongst primates as a situation where new males join a new group and begin to kill off infants that continue to be dependent on their mothers for food. This is thought to be either caused by stressful environments or a reproductive tactic. There has been enough evidence observed to prove that infanticide is executed for reproductive benefits for males entering a new group of many females with children of their own.
The purpose of these primates committing this act is to eventually have their own children.
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