Pre- and Postconflict Interactions Between Female Japanese Macaques During Homosexual Consortships

Abstract

In this paper, I examine whether homosexual behavior in female Japanese macaques functions to reconcile conflicts following the outbreak of aggression. Contrary to the predictions of the reconciliation hypothesis, homosexual interactions between female Japanese macaques did not peak during postconflict periods, as compared to matched control periods preceding the conflicts. In fact, aggressive interactions appeared to inhibit, rather than facilitate, the expression of homosexual behavior among subordinate consort partners. Alternative proximate and ultimate explanations for female homosexual behavior in Japanese macaques are presented.