Grooming pattern in captive Macaques: A comparative study

Abstract

A comparative study on grooming behavior was done on three species of macaques, namely, Assamese macaque (Macaca assamensis), rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) and northern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca leonina) under captivity in Aizawl Zoological Park, Aizawl, India. Observations were recorded by Focal Sampling Technique. Time spent on different acts of grooming, and grooming visible and non-visible sites was recorded. Generally 75% of the time was spent on removal of ectoparasite and skin flakes (hygiene related acts). The time spent on various grooming acts varied in different age and sex categories in all three species. Time spent on grooming visible and non-visible sites was more in the Assamese macaque. Time spent on visible and non-visible site by all age and sex categories in all three species was found to be significant (p<0.05). The pattern of variations on grooming visible and non-visible area was similar in all the species. Time spent on grooming non-visible sites was more than on the visible sites. Adult males and females spent more time on grooming visible areas in all the species. Dissimilarity among macaque species and between age and sex category in grooming visible areas was significant. Grooming site preference is predisposed by the sex and age of individuals.