Contingency and context in the relationships of female vervet monkeys
Date
2011
Authors
Forshaw, Nicola L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Psychology, c2011
Abstract
This study explored the organizing principles of female sociality in free-ranging vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) inhabiting the Klein Karoo, South Africa. Females groomed more than males, grooming peaked at the end of the day and less grooming occurred during the mating season. Although females competed over food, they did not compete over grooming partners, rarely formed coalitions and did not trade grooming against other activities. Instead, they maintained grooming whilst trading between feeding and resting and feeding and moving. Despite seasonal shifts in food competition, grooming was not traded for tolerance and there was an upper limit to cohort size before clique size declined. Inter-population comparisons revealed no troop size effects on clique size, aggression and competition over high-ranking grooming partners. The rarity of coalitions suggests coalitions are unlikely to be a central component of female relationships.
Description
xiii, 162 leaves : ill., maps ; 29 cm
Keywords
Cercopithecus aethiops -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Samara Game Reserve , Social behavior in animals -- Research -- South Africa -- Samara Game Reserve , Grooming behavior -- Research -- South Africa -- Samara Game Reserve , Dissertations, Academic