Geissmann, T. (1990). Familial incidence of multiple births in a colony of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Journal of Medical Primatology 19: 467-478.

Familial incidence of multiple births in a colony of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

T. Geissmann

Anthropological Institute, Zürich University, Switzerland & Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

Key words: Twinning; inbreeding; Pan troglodytes; chimpanzee.

Abstract: This paper describes the incidence of multiple births in the Yerkes Chimpanzee colony for a period of about 63 years. Pedigrees are presented for all multiple births. They demonstrate the recurrence of twins in relatively few family lines which can be traced back to a small number of ancestors. The findings suggest that twinning is a family trait in chimpanzees and they support the hypothesis that the incidence of multiple births is genetically influenced in this colony. In addition, a relatively high level of inbreeding may have enhanced the incidence of multiple births in these family lines. Similar findings are known from human populations.