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Tail raising by baboon mothers toward immigrant males
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|July 1, 1984
Summary
Infant chacma baboon mothers display negative behaviors towards new immigrant males, but not resident males. This suggests a protective response linked to potential infanticide risk and sexual selection.
Area of Science:
- Primatology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Infanticide is a significant factor in primate social dynamics and reproductive strategies.
- Savanna baboon societies exhibit complex social structures where male competition can be intense.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral responses of female chacma baboons towards recently immigrated adult males.
- To determine if these responses differ based on the presence of infants and the male's residency status.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of two chacma baboon groups in Botswana's Moremi Wildlife Reserve.
- Recording behavioral interactions between adult females (with and without infants) and both immigrant and resident adult males.
Main Results:
- Mothers with infants exhibited negative behaviors (tail-raising, avoidance, screaming) specifically towards immigrant males.
- These negative responses were absent when infants were not present or towards long-term resident males.
- Evidence suggested mothers' negative responses were directed at immigrant males unlikely to be the infant's sire.
Conclusions:
- Female chacma baboons' behavioral responses are context-dependent, particularly concerning infant protection.
- The findings support the sexual selection model of infanticide, where females may actively deter males who pose a threat to their offspring.