Abstract
Crested macaque live in multimale-multifemale social groups where temporary association (consortship) typically occurs. Current theory and these limited qualitative observations suggest the hypothesis that behavior functions as a means for males to gain access to fertile females. The aim of this study was to investigate follower status based on quantitative method. Males were classified as either “consort males,” “followers,” and “non-followers” based on proximity maintanance every 15 minute uses scan sampling. Tactics used by followers were classified into 1) individual challenge, 2) coalitionary challenge, 3) abandoned takeover, and 4) opportunistic takeover. The proportion of successful takeovers by followers was calculated by dividing the number of takeovers by followers by the total number of observed takeovers. The proportion of followers is higher than average on D-5 and earlier, D-4, and D-3. Only two of the four consort takeover tactics were used by followers. For abandoned which made up 40% and for individual tactic was made up to 11.5% of consort takeovers tactic used. This study contribute to our understanding of alternative mating strategy in primate and provide the first quantitative data demonstrating that following is an alternative mating strategy in crested macaque (Macaca nigra).
Highlights
Crested macaque live in multimale-multifemale social groups characterized by matrilineal dominance hierarchy with stable female philopatry and male emigration (Duboscq et al 2017)
Two of the four consort takeover tactics were used by followers
ConsortTakeoverTactic Used by Follower Only two of the four consort takeover tactics were used by followers (Figure 2)
Summary
Crested macaque live in multimale-multifemale social groups characterized by matrilineal dominance hierarchy with stable female philopatry and male emigration (Duboscq et al 2017). In this system females usually mate with more than one partner and temporary association (consortship) between male and female typically occurs, lasting from minutes to several days (Altmann 1962; Hall and DeVore 1965; Bulger 1993; Engelhardt et al 2004; Engelhardt et al 2006; Higham et al 2009; Dubuc et al 2012; Girrard-Buttoz et al 2014). The link between male reproductive success and reproductive skew in primates designated as the Priority of Access (PoA) model This model predicts male reproductive success should correlate with male dominance rank and controls for female cycle synchrony (Altmann 1962). Studies of alternative strategies in primates are relatively rare, with most studies examining: sexual bimaturism in mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) (Setchell and Dixson 2001; Setchell 2003) orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) (Maggioncalda et al 2000; Atmoko et al 2002; Atmoko and van Hooff 2004) and sneak copulations and coalition formation in a number of primates living in multimale-multifemale system (Noë and Sluijter 1995; Soltis et al 1997; Soltis et al 2001; Alberts et al 2003; van Schaik et al 2004)
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