Mating patterns, societies and the ecogeography of macaques
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1986 |
Authors: |
Julian Oliver Caldecott |
Publication/Journal: |
Animal Behaviour |
Keywords: |
mating behavior, pig-tailed macaque |
ISBN: |
0003-3472 |
Abstract:
A 29-month field study of the pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina), and a review of the literature on its genus, suggests that, in this cercopithecine group, resource distribution may influence male grouping tendency not by way of female distribution, but rather indirectly through female sexual behaviour. This variation on a usual mammalian theme is achieved by female control of sexual interaction, which allows females to establish either of two social conditions. These have different implications for male behaviour, affecting the quality of inter-male relations and male copulatory behaviour. Ecological correlates of the two social conditions are discussed.