Social groups buffer maternal loss in mountain gorillas

Abstract

Mothers are crucial for mammals survival before nutritional independence, but many social mammals reside with their mothers long after. In these species the social adversity caused by maternal loss later in life can dramatically reduce fitness. However, in some human populations these negative consequences appear to be overcome by care from other group members. We investigated the consequences of maternal loss in mountain gorillas and found no discernible fitness costs to maternal loss through survival, age at first birth or survival of first offspring through infancy. Social network analysis revealed that maternal loss led to strengthened relationships with other group members, particularly the dominant male and age-mates. In contrast to most social mammals, where maternal loss causes considerable social adversity, in mountain gorillas, as in certain human populations, this may be buffered by relationships within cohesive social groups, breaking the link between maternal loss, increased social adversity and decreased fitness.