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Why should an aged male baboon ever transfer troops?
1Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, and Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya.
American Journal of Primatology
|January 11, 2020
Summary
Old male baboons may transfer troops to avoid negative social interactions with younger, dominant individuals. High social affiliation within their natal troop can deter older males from transferring.
Area of Science:
- Primatology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Social Behavior
Background:
- Male baboon dispersal is common, but transfers by aged males are infrequent and puzzling.
- The risks and cognitive challenges of integrating into a new troop make old-age transfers seem disadvantageous.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reasons behind occasional old-age troop transfers in olive baboons (Papio anubis).
- To explore the trade-offs between social dominance, social interactions, and dispersal in aging male baboons.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of two olive baboon troops in Kenya.
- Analysis of approach-avoid interactions and affiliative behaviors in aged males based on their dispersal status.
Main Results:
- Aged males who remained in their natal troop faced higher rates of negative social interactions (approach-avoid) from the current dominant cohort.
- Males who transferred in old age experienced relative anonymity.
- Males who remained in their natal troop exhibited higher rates of affiliative behaviors with females and infants.
Conclusions:
- Transferring troops in old age offers the benefit of reduced negative social encounters.
- Strong social bonds and affiliative behaviors within the natal troop may act as a deterrent against dispersal for aged males.
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