Patterns of affiliation among immature rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)
- 1 January 1987
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in American Journal of Primatology
- Vol. 13 (3), 255-269
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.1350130304
Abstract
The affiliative interaction patterns of the immature members of a group of rhesus monkeys at the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center reflected a strong bias toward matrilineal kin, although this effect was modified by age and sex variables. Association with kin decreased with age, particularly for males. Juvenile males showed less of a kin bias in their behavior than did juvenile females, especially for grooming. Juvenile males also exhibited a preference for interaction with other males. The diminished association with kin and the same-sex bias may be reinforced in adolescence as adult males begin to aggressively target adolescent males involved in agonistic encounters with females or immatures. Adolescent males did not decrease their levels of social interaction relative to those of adolescent females; however, these males preferentially associated with other males (predominantly their own age-sex class) and specifically avoided females and younger animals, both kin and nonkin. Avoidance may diminish conflicts with females or immatures which could result from association, thereby decreasing the potential for selective aggressive interference by adult males. Juvenile and adolescent females maintained strong ties with their kin and preferentially associated with other females and immatures. The breadth of interaction of females with other females may facilitate the establishment of dominance relationships as females mature. Familiarity and predictability may also decrease the necessity of more severe agonistic interaction.Keywords
This publication has 41 references indexed in Scilit:
- Selective interference in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) intragroup agonistic episodes by age–sex class.Journal of Comparative Psychology, 1986
- Interventions and the Development of Dominance Relationships in Female BaboonsFolia Primatologica, 1980
- Relationships in six groups of rhesus monkeys II. DyadsAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology, 1980
- Attachment formation and separation in heterosexually naive preadult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)Developmental Psychobiology, 1973
- Sociometrics of Macaca mulatta I. Linkages and Cliques in Grooming MatricesFolia Primatologica, 1972
- On dominance rank and kinship of a wild Japanese monkey troop in ArashiyamaPrimates, 1967
- Role of the dominant male rhesus monkey in response to external challenges to the group.Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1964
- A study of blood-relationship in the natural society of the Japanese macaquePrimates, 1963
- The matriarchal social order in the minoo-B GroupPrimates, 1958
- On the rank system in a natural group of Japanese monkey (I)Primates, 1958