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Hierarchy and social status in Budongo chimpanzees
1Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, 98 Station Road West, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 8AN, UK. newtonfisher@budongo.org
Primates; Journal of Primatology
|January 24, 2004
Summary
Male chimpanzees establish a social status hierarchy through dominance interactions. This study in Budongo Forest revealed distinct hierarchies of agonistic dominance and respect, combined into a single social status, challenging notions of peaceable chimpanzees.
Area of Science:
- Primatology
- Ethology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Social hierarchy is crucial for male chimpanzees.
- Dominance interactions shape social structures.
- Previous studies often focused on single individual behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the social status hierarchy of male chimpanzees.
- To analyze dominance interactions and social status in the Sonso community.
- To combine agonistic and pant-grunting behaviors for a comprehensive status assessment.
Main Methods:
- Observation of dominance interactions and social behaviors.
- Analysis of behavior ratios (performed/received) for agonistic dominance and pant-grunting.
- Ranking males into separate and combined hierarchies.
Main Results:
- Agonistic interactions and pant-grunts were infrequent.
- Separate hierarchies for agonistic dominance and 'respect' (pant-grunting) were identified.
- A single social status hierarchy with five levels was established, led by a two-male alliance.
- The beta male had low mating success despite his rank.
Conclusions:
- The Sonso chimpanzee community exhibits a complex social status hierarchy.
- Dominance and respect hierarchies combine to form overall social status.
- Budongo Forest chimpanzees are not necessarily non-aggressive, aligning with other populations.