Intra- and Intergroup Spatial Dynamics of a Pair-Living Singing Primate, Indri indri: A Multiannual Study of Three Indri Groups in Maromizaha Forest, Madagascar

Abstract

Territorial pair-living species tend to occupy and defend stable areas, assumed to contain all the resources needed for the lifetime of the group. Furthermore, groups have to mediate spatial relationships with neighboring groups. We investigated the relationship between social and spatial dynamics at the intra- and intergroup level in a pair-living territorial singing primate: the indri (Indri indri). We collected spatial data on three neighboring groups during 396 sampling days between 2009 and 2014 in Maromizaha forest, Madagascar. We evaluated the stability of territories in terms of size and location using minimum convex polygons, defined the presence and stability of core areas, and investigated if singing locations and intergroup encounters were concentrated in the core areas. Territories were generally stable in location and size, although some degree of territorial shift occurred, leading to readjustment of intergroup spacing. Groups had core areas that were not stable across years but were concentrated in the area of the territories that groups occupy consistently over time (stable areas). Singing locations were equally distributed inside and outside core areas, suggesting an even distribution through the territories; meanwhile 9 of 12 intergroup encounters took place in the core areas at the edge of territories. Together, our results support the pattern of territorial stability predicted for a pair-living species, where groups regulate territory exclusivity and spacing with neighbors. Singing behavior also plays an important role in mediating intergroup spatial dynamics. The spatial pattern we found in indris is comparable with that found in other territorial and pair-living primates with different ecological needs, suggesting that in addition to ecological factors, social dynamics influence intergroup spatial dynamics.