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A Free-Ranging, Feral Mare Equus caballus Affords Similar Maternal Care to Her Genetic and Adopted Offspring

Author(s): Nuñez, Cassandra M.V.; Adelman, James S.; Rubenstein, Daniel I.

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Abstract: Adoption of nongenetic offspring occurs in a variety of species but is rare in equids. We report a case of adoption by a free-ranging, feral mare Equus caballus and compare the maternal care received by her genetic offspring (born 1995) to that of her adopted offspring (born 1996) for the first 30 weeks of development. We compare five measures of care: (1) total time spent suckling, (2) mare aggression during suckling, (3) number of mare-terminated suckling bouts, (4) contact maintenance, and (5) mare-foal distance. For most behaviors, we detected no difference in the mare’s treatment of the two foals; however, mare-foal distance was greater for the genetic offspring. We compare hypotheses regarding the reasons for adoption, offering postpartum physiological state as a potential driver.
Publication Date: Nov-2013
Citation: Nuñez, Cassandra MV, Adelman, James S, Rubenstein, Daniel I. (2013). A Free-Ranging, Feral Mare Equus caballus Affords Similar Maternal Care to Her Genetic and Adopted Offspring. The American Naturalist, 182 (5), 674 - 681. doi:10.1086/673214
DOI: doi:10.1086/673214
ISSN: 0003-0147
EISSN: 1537-5323
Pages: 674 - 681
Type of Material: Journal Article
Journal/Proceeding Title: The American Naturalist
Version: Final published version. Article is made available in OAR by the publisher's permission or policy.



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