Primate societies and individual behaviour

Abstract

This paper reviews briefly some salient findings concerning the relations between ecology and social structure of primate populations. Referring specifically to open country ground dwelling macaques and baboons correlations between a multi-male reproductive unit and a one-male unit and relatively food rich and food poor environments respectively are found. Predation and the availability of safe sleeping sites also affect structure. Intraspecific constrasts in social organization may be pronounced and appear to relate to well-defined differences in habitat. The maintenance and division of social groups is dependent upon population (group) size, the type of structure and the pattern of affiliative relations within groups. These determine the manner of group splitting. Kinship is considered a vital factor in maintaining the stability of social relations in these primate groups. In the heat of experimental research it is easy to forget that the meaning of an experiment rests upon full comprehension of the norms of a species behaviour. As primate social studies develop in the laboratory they must be matched with field studies of an equal sophistication. For these to be effective careful selection of personnel, resources for their training and an adequate financial backing are essentials.