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Wounding patterns in three species of captive macaques
Thomas E Ruehlmann1,2, Irwin S Bernstein1,3, Thomas P Gordon1
1Departments of Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
American Journal of Primatology
|January 25, 2020
Summary
In macaque monkeys, adult males experience the most wounds, contrary to behavioral aggression data. This suggests aggression and wounding patterns may be influenced by factors beyond direct conflict.
Area of Science:
- Primate behavior
- Animal welfare
- Veterinary science
Background:
- Aggression and wounding patterns in captive macaques are not fully understood.
- Previous studies suggest adult males receive less aggression, yet wounding data may differ.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and patterns of wounding in captive rhesus, pigtail, and stumptail macaques.
- To compare wounding data with existing behavioral aggression measures.
Main Methods:
- Daily monitoring of captive macaque groups for 21 months.
- Recording wound data (type, location) and animal demographics (age, sex, species).
- Veterinary treatment and data collection for wounded individuals.
Main Results:
- Adult males across all three macaque species incurred the highest frequency of wounds.
- Wounding frequency in adult males contrasted with lower observed frequencies of received aggression.
- Increased wounding was observed during the birth season in captive settings.
Conclusions:
- Wounding incidence does not directly correlate with behavioral measures of aggression in these macaque groups.
- Mechanisms like aggression inhibition towards infants and avoidance of vital areas may modulate intragroup aggression.
- Captive birth season wounding may reflect different social dynamics than free-ranging breeding season wounding.
