Patterns of agonistic interactions in three species of macaque (Macaca mulatta, M fascicularis, M tonkeana)

Abstract

Patterns of aggression and response to aggression were studied in three groups ofmacaques living in semiliberty, each group representing a different species: Macacamulatta, M fascicularis, and M tonkeana. In Macaca mulatta, intensity of aggressionis high G>iting is frequent) and symmetry in aggression is low: the aggressee most oftenflees or submits. In Macaca tonkeana, in contrast, biting is exceptional, aggression isvery often bidirectional, and appeasement behaviors are frequently observed. Inter-mediate patterns are found in Macaca fascicularis with, in addition, especially frequentmild forms of submission. It is argued that relationships exist between intensity ofaggression, symmetry in aggression, and development of behaviors controlling aggres-sion. Whether balances between these variables are species-speciric is discussed.Key words: aggression, control of aggression, interspecific comparisons, macaques