Abstract
While the ultimate consequences of social bonds start to be better understood, the proximate behavioural mechanisms underlying the formation and maintenance of these close affiliative relationships have received less attention. We investigated the possible function of male-infant-male interactions (MIMIs) in male-male social bonding processes by analysing about 9000h of focal animal observations collected on two groups of wild Assamese macaques. In support of an agonistic buffering function of MIMIs, after engaging in a MIMI upon approach, subordinates stayed longer in close proximity of a dominant male. Overall, the frequency of MIMIs increased the stronger the affiliative relationship between two males, suggesting that MIMIs like grooming function in relationship maintenance. We did not find support for a role of MIMIs in bond formation as the frequency of MIMIs did not affect the time a male dyad spent in proximity in the consecutive year. Our results contribute to the general debate on behaviours influencing social dynamics in group living mammals.
Highlights
The benefits associated with the formation of close affiliative relationships in gregarious species range from selective tolerance for access to resources [1,2,3,4], to higher social status via coalition formation [5,6,7,8], to cooperative hunting [9, 10], protection against harassment [11], food sharing and mating access [12, 13]
Triadic male-infant-male interaction serves in bond maintenance formation and maintenance, we studied male-infant-male interactions (MIMIs) in wild adult male Assamese macaques, a species in which some dyads of males form strong, long lasting affiliative relationships [33] which might enable males to engage in risky rank-changing coalitions to rise in rank and have better access to fertile females [7]
The results of our correlational analysis suggest that wild male Assamese macaques may use male-infant-male interactions (MIMIs) to form and in particular to maintain their affiliative relationships rather than solely as an agonistic buffering mechanism
Summary
The benefits associated with the formation of close affiliative relationships in gregarious species range from selective tolerance for access to resources [1,2,3,4], to higher social status via coalition formation [5,6,7,8], to cooperative hunting [9, 10], protection against harassment [11], food sharing and mating access [12, 13]. Triadic male-infant-male interaction serves in bond maintenance formation and maintenance, we studied MIMIs in wild adult male Assamese macaques, a species in which some dyads of males form strong, long lasting affiliative relationships [33] which might enable males to engage in risky rank-changing coalitions to rise in rank and have better access to fertile females [7]. We first examined whether the occurrence of a MIMI had a positive effect on the time a subordinate spent in close proximity to a dominant male after an approach and how this effect may be modulated by the strength of the affiliative relationship between the males involved. We predicted that if MIMIs only function as an agonistic buffer, time spent in close proximity after an approach should be more strongly affected by the occurrence of a MIMI the weaker the affiliative relationships between the males. If MIMIs play a role in relationship formation and/or maintenance, we predicted that this behaviour increases the time two males spend in proximity irrespective of their relationship strength
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