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Selective interference in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) intragroup agonistic episodes by age-sex class
Abstract:
Adult male interference in agonistic episodes is strongly biased against adolescent and adult male participants, whereas adult female interference is biased in favor of kin and in support of younger animals against older animals. Although natal males also are biased in favor of their kin, their selective targeting of sexually mature males is independent of kinship. Adolescent males target adult males, but only in defense of kin. This selective interference against adolescent and adult males by adult males has the potential to profoundly modify male agonistic participation in intragroup encounters after puberty. Because female support is influenced primarily by kinship, females less consistently interfere against male agonistic participants. Adult males may therefore play an important role in the socialization of male agonistic expression.
Insights
Adult males interfere in conflicts, targeting other males, which may shape male aggression after puberty. Female interference is kin-based, supporting younger animals and less consistently targeting males.
Area of Science:
- Ethology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Sociobiology
Background:
- Agonistic interactions are crucial for social structure and dominance hierarchies in many species.
- Understanding interference patterns provides insights into the regulation of conflict and social dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the patterns and biases of interference by adult males and females in agonistic encounters.
- To determine how interference by adult males influences male agonistic participation and socialization.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of agonistic episodes within a social group.
- Analysis of interference patterns based on the age, sex, and kinship of participants and interceders.
Main Results:
- Adult male interference is biased against adolescent and adult males.
- Adult female interference favors kin and younger individuals against older ones.
- Natal males target sexually mature males independently of kinship; adolescent males target adult males only in defense of kin.
Conclusions:
- Adult male interference significantly impacts male agonistic behavior and socialization post-puberty.
- Female interference, driven by kinship, is less consistent in regulating male-male agonistic encounters.
- Adult males play a key role in shaping the expression of male agonistic behavior within the group.