Socioecology of Five Sympatric Monkey Species in the Kibale Forest, Uganda

Fission‐Fusion Dynamics

“…We believe that much progress can be achieved by acknowledging that this is a false dichotomy and by recognizing that fission-fusion dynamics occur to some extent in most social systems (cf. Kinzey and Cunningham 1994;Strier 1989;Struhsaker and Leland 1979;Sussman and Garber 2007). We reiterate, therefore, that a starting point for a renewed research input is the adoption of a relativistic approach that places species -and even populations of the same species -within a complex, multidimensional fission-fusion space of the sort illustrated in Figure 1.…”

“…In particular, this perspective emphasizes that simple dichotomous distinctions of social organizations as being cohesive versus flexible are neither realistic nor accurate (Strier 1989). Moreover, this perspective highlights that flexible spatiotemporal grouping patterns in primates and other vertebrates are more common -and more complex -than generally recognized (Kinzey and Cunningham 1994;Struhsaker and Leland 1979;Sussman and Garber 2007). The critical issue is that spatiotemporal variation in grouping patterns influences the opportunities for group members to interact with one another and, ultimately, the resulting social system.…”

Monkey Abundance and Social Structure in Two High-Elevation Forest Reserves in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania

“…Alternatively, some of the smaller groups may represent foraging parties that have split from larger groups. Such fission-fusion social dynamics occurs in the Udzungwa Mountains and elsewhere in response to habitat degradation and limited, clumped or widely spaced resources (Klein and Klein, 1977;Waser, 1977;Struhsaker and Leland, 1979;Skorupa, 1988;Siex and Struhsaker, 1999;Struhsaker, 1997Struhsaker, , 2000Struhsaker et al, 2004). This would explain why red colobus abundance along WKS1 was unexpectedly greater than along WKS3 (Table III).…”

Are dispersal and inbreeding avoidance related?

“…entellus, Hrdy 1977, respectively), the question of paternal tolerance is usually moot. Even in supposedly 'male-bonded' species, adult males have killed maturing natal males, and inter-male conflict is clearly responsible for at least some emigration (bonnet macaques, Macaea radiata, Simonds 1965; red colobus, Colobus badius tephroseeles, Struhsaker & Leland 1979) or long temporary absences (chimpanzees: Riss & Goodall 1977;Goodall et al 1979, page 42). Given these observations, it seems Panglossian to search for a benefit to the expelled young male (e.g.…”