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Grooming patterns in Verreaux's sifaka
1Department of Anthropology, University of Texas, Austin, 78712, USA. rjlewis@mail.utexas.edu
American Journal of Primatology
|December 10, 2009
Summary
Verreaux's sifaka grooming behaviors, using their toothcombs, are influenced by social rank and mating season, suggesting a significant social function. This contrasts with previous assumptions about lemur grooming.
Area of Science:
- Primate behavior
- Ethology
- Zoology
Background:
- Lemur allogrooming is understudied and hypothesized to differ from anthropoid grooming.
- Lemurs primarily use oral grooming, and their social grooming may serve less social function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the allogrooming behaviors of Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi).
- To investigate the social function of allogrooming in lemurs, particularly in relation to anthropoids.
Main Methods:
- Observation of 29 Verreaux's sifaka in five social groups in Madagascar's Kirindy Forest.
- 1,586 hours of behavioral data collection on allogrooming patterns.
Main Results:
- Sifaka engage in mutual grooming infrequently (2+/-3%), similar to anthropoids.
- Grooming of easily self-accessible body parts constituted half of all observed allogrooming.
- Allogrooming did not increase during the rainy season despite expected higher ectoparasite loads.
- Grooming rates were influenced by social rank and sex, and increased significantly during the mating season.
Conclusions:
- Allogrooming in Verreaux's sifaka serves an important social function.
- The findings challenge previous notions that lemur grooming is fundamentally different from anthropoid grooming in its social role.
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