“In most monogamous species, the dads are really good. It’s just taken to an extreme in titi monkeys because the moms are kind of bad,” Bales said. “Sometimes you watch a titi monkey mom and you feel like she doesn’t like her babies.” …

The researchers have applied for a grant to compare the children of these titi monkeys with those of “bad” dads, the ones who groom their youngsters less, carry them less often and have a lower offspring survival rate.

In time, they’d like to know not only what creates the healthiest kids, but also whether there are ways to undo the damage inflicted by poor parenting.

Ultimately, Mendoza believes the neurobiology of monkey relationships - what’s happening in the brain when boy meets girl or when a baby arrives - will provide a key to understanding human health.

Source: Kansas City Star
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/16571371.htm