Postconflict Affiliation Between Former Opponents in Macaca thibetana on Mt. Huangshan, China

Abstract

We describe basic patterns of postconflict affiliation between former opponents within a group of wild, provisioned Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) on Mt. Huangshan, China. Like most primates studied to date, Tibetan macaques reconciled, i.e., overall they engaged in affiliative interaction with opponents at higher rates immediately after an aggressive conflict than at other times. Probabilities of affiliation were enhanced ≤30 s after the end of hostilities. However when we examined sex partner combinations separately, we found unequivocal evidence for reconciliation only for male-male dyads. Tolerant interaction among other partner combinations apparently was not disrupted after a conflict, presumably obviating the need to reconcile. One aspect of reconciliation among males was consistent with other indications of a despotic dominance style: aggressors initiated a higher proportion of affiliative interactions after a conflict than at other times. Another aspect of reconciliation was more typical of relaxed dominance styles: males used specialized behaviors (embraces and same-sex mounts) disproportionately to reconcile. We also found inconsistent evidence for the valuable relationship hypothesis; probabilities of reconciliation were enhanced for male-male dyads with the closest affiliative relationships, but not for those that displayed the most tolerance or mutual agonistic support. We discuss reconciliation and other aspects of conflict management among males in the 828 Berman, Ionica, Dorner, and Li context of a group with nearly even sex ratios and high male-male mating competition.

Evaluating Dominance Styles in Assamese and Rhesus Macaques

“…It seems likely that having more potential partners allows for, or may even require, the expression of tolerant dominance relationships and strong male bonding. Berman et al (2006) suggested that the nearly even sex ratio, rather than the high degree of sexual dimorphism, may account for the increased male-male tolerance in Tibetan macaques. However, it is difficult to separate the influence of body size and sex ratio in Assamese, Tibetan, and Barbary macaques because all 3 species have large males (Smith and Jungers 1997) and nearly even sex ratios (Fooden 1986;Menard and Vallet 1996;Zhao and Deng 1988).…”

Grooming Reciprocity in Female Tibetan Macaques Macaca Thibetana

“…Female Tibetan macaques are reported to form linear dominance hierarchies based on patterns of maternal kinship, and individuals appear to use information on both rank and kinship in social interactions [Bermanet al, 2008;Li, 1999]. Berman et al [2006] report that among female-female dyads, there was "no evidence that tolerant interaction was disrupted after conflicts" suggesting that dominance hierarchies may be relatively stable or that after disputes females are able to reestablish social relationships without the need for reconciliatory behavior. Berman et al [2006] report that among female-female dyads, there was "no evidence that tolerant interaction was disrupted after conflicts" suggesting that dominance hierarchies may be relatively stable or that after disputes females are able to reestablish social relationships without the need for reconciliatory behavior.…”

Emergent Patterns of Social Affiliation in Primates, a Model

“… *: indicates that there is debate about the classification of the dominance style of this species.1 [12].2 [51].3 [105].4 [107]–[109].5 [106],[150].6 [80],[118].7 [112].8 [151].9 [18],[152].10 [63].11 [19],[29],[153].12 [154].13 [155].14 [7].15 [27].16 [156].17 [105].18 [157].19 [21],[125].20 [20].21 [158].…”