Two Takeovers in Wild Hamadryas Baboons

Abstract

Hamadryas baboons exhibit a multi-level social structure in which several onemale units, each consisting of a ‘leader’ male and one or more females, comprise a ‘band’ and two or more bands comprise a troop. Cohesion of each one-male unit is maintained by aggressive herding by its leader male [1]. Here I describe the consequences of 2 takeovers in a band of wild hamadryas baboons. I report evidence of infant mortality following takeovers, changes in female reproductive condition within 2 weeks after takeovers, and the reacquisition of a female by a deposed leader male, none of which has been previously reported for wild hamadryas baboons.