Social and spatial relationships between primate groups

Abstract

Abstract Studying relationships among primate social groups poses a number of logistical challenges: encounters between groups occur relatively infrequently, interactions are often fast-paced and hectic and, unless all the social groups in a study area are habituated, the presence of human observers may have a significant impact on the outcome of intergroup conflicts. This chapter encourages a more focused approach to the study of intergroup interactions by detailing methods that researchers can use to facilitate inter-specific and inter-site comparisons. It begins by clarifying some of the terms commonly used to describe intergroup relationships, followed by a discussion of observational and experimental methods used to study interactions between primate social groups, and a review of methods for analyzing the impact of intergroup interactions on ranging patterns and space use. It concludes with a brief outline of some important avenues for future research.