Population density, spatial dynamics and territoriality in vervet monkeys
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Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Psychology, c2013
Abstract
Vervet
monkeys
(Chlorocebus
pygerythrus)
are
generally
described
as
a
territorial
species,
though
variations
in
territoriality
have
been
observed.
This
research
examined
the
impact
of
high
population
density,
large
group
sizes
and
extensively
overlapping
home
ranges
on
the
expression
of
territoriality
in
a
population
of
vervet
monkeys.
Over
a
period
of
eighteen
months,
data
were
collected
on
three
large
troops
of
vervet
monkeys
(PTN
=
31,
RBMN
=
39,
RSTN
=
57)
on
the
Samara
Game
Reserve,
South
Africa.
I
examined
the
spatial
dynamics
demonstrated
in
this
population,
assed
the
extent
and
use
of
home
range
overlap
and
examined
the
occurrence
of
intertroop
encounters
in
relation
to
mate
defence,
resource
defence
and
home
range
defence.
The
home
ranges
of
the
troops
in
this
study
population
overlap
substantially,
and
overlap
areas
are
exploited
extensively.
The
frequency
of
occurrence
of
intertroop
encounters
does
not
increase
in
the
mating
season,
nor
is
there
evidence
of
the
defence
of
particular
food
patches
or
home
range
defence.
The
findings
from
this
thesis
emphasize
the
importance
of
examining
the
expression
of
territoriality
of
a
population
within
the
context
of
its
environment.
Description
xvi, 125 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm