Resident Adult Males Research Articles

Anti-predator strategies of adult male Central Himalayan Langurs (Semnopithecus schistaceus) in response to domestic dogs in a human-dominated landscape.

The evolution of predator-prey relationships is an important topic in primatology. Many aspects of primate society have been explained as a response to predation pressure. While predation has been discussed in broad theoretical terms, few systematically collected data exist on the subject. Furthermore, little information exists regarding the inter-male variation in responses to predators. To address this data gap, predatory dog-primate interactions were studied in a 78-member group of habituated, individually recognized Central Himalayan Langurs (CHL) (Semnopithecus schistaceus) living in a high-altitude subsistence agricultural landscape of northern India. We recorded 312 langur-dog interactions over 2 years. These predation events resulted in 15 serious attacks on adult females, infants, juveniles and sub-adults, in eight of which the prey was killed and consumed on the spot. In response to dog predation, adult males performed three types of anti-predator response behaviors: direct fighting with a predator, emitting alarm calls, fleeing and/or freezing. Differences were noted in each male's response to village dogs. The results showed that the likelihood of CHL adult males engaging in more costly counterattacks or attention getting alarm calls were better predicted by the level of investment in the group (genetic relatedness, duration of residency, social relationships), but not rank and mating rate. Long-duration resident adult males performed high and/or intermediate cost behaviors to protect vulnerable members of the group; their potential offspring, maternal siblings or cousins, and adult female social partners. Short-term residents or recent immigrant males exhibited two less energetically costly, more self-preserving behaviors, depending on their rank: (1) high-ranking short-tenure duration males, with high mating frequencies, performed flee and freeze responses; (2) low-ranking, low-mating-frequency males performed more alarm calls. Counterattacks and alarm calls were performed by adult males with relatively more experience with village dogs and were directed towards dogs with predatory histories significantly more often than dogs with non-predatory histories. Natural selection and kin selection have both contributed to the evolution of CHL anti-predator tactics.

Diverse grouping and mating strategies in the Critically Endangered Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus)

Understanding flexibility in the social structure and mating strategies of the world’s last remaining population (35 individuals) of wild Hainan gibbons (Nomascus hainanus) is critical for developing effective management plans to aid in their population recovery. Three of the five remaining Hainan gibbon groups (A, B, and C) currently live in a social unit characterized by two or three adult males, two reproducing adult females, and offspring. A fourth group (D) contains one adult male, two adult females, and offspring, and Group E contains a single adult male–adult female pair with a young infant. In this study, we describe observations of copulations between multiple resident males and one of the two resident females in Group C. Group C is best described as a small multi-male/multi-female group. We found that this breeding female (F2) solicited copulations from two resident adult males (M1 and M2) on the same day, and also mated with each of these two males on different days. Resident males were not observed to interrupt the mating pair. Although factors such as a biased adult sex ratio, severe population disruption, and habitat degradation can help explain variation in group composition and mating strategies in Hainan gibbons, we argue that there exists considerable mating system variability across gibbon species, and that this variability offers important insights into male and female Hainan gibbon group structure and reproductive strategies.

Post-release breeding of translocated sharp-tailed grouse and an absence of artificial insemination effects

Context Translocation has become a widely used method to restore wildlife populations following extirpation. For some species, such as lekking grouse, which breed at traditional mating grounds, reproduction is linked to culturally established geographic locations. Cultural centres are lost upon extirpation, making restoration into otherwise rehabilitated habitats especially challenging. The process by which species with culturally dependent reproduction sometimes become re-established is poorly understood and merits investigation to improve conservation strategies. Historically, population restoration of North American lekking grouse (Tympanuchus spp. and Centrocercus spp.) via translocation has yielded poor results, in part because translocation sites lack leks, culturally determined breeding locations for which breeding adults form a high degree of philopatry. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus; CSTG) occurs in <10% of its historic range, but the existence of rehabilitated historic habitat provides for the potential of population restoration via translocation. Aims We reintroduced CSTG to vacant habitat in north-central Nevada, USA, from 2013 to 2017, with concordant goals of promoting females to nest and males to lek. We tested the utility of performing artificial insemination (AI) on females before translocation and we conducted paternity analyses to understand male reproduction. Methods We monitored females for the effects of AI on nest initiation, nest survival and egg fertility. We used post-hatch extra-embryonic membranes and other tissues to evaluate paternity of chicks produced at the restoration site. Key results Artificial insemination had no effect on female survival or nest initiation, and did not fertilise any eggs within nine sampled clutches (n=102 eggs). Most paternity was attributable to male residents that had survived for ≥1 year at the restoration site before the arrival of translocated females. Conclusions Artificial insemination neither aided nor harmed female reproduction. A small number of translocated, resident adult males sired reproduction following female release. Implications The presence of resident males at restoration sites may be more likely to result in post-translocation reproduction than is pre-translocation AI. Restoring CSTG to vacant habitat should focus on translocating females into suitable nesting habitat while simultaneously ensuring that reproductively capable males are available within or adjacent to the nesting habitat.

Trace organic contaminant (TOrC) mixtures in Minnesota littoral zones: Effects of on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) proximity and biological impact

On-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) are an international wastewater management strategy for rural and semi-rural communities without access to centralized sewage treatment. These systems are a suspected source of trace organic contaminants (TOrCs) that may be responsible for endocrine disrupting effects to resident fish species in Minnesota Lakes. This study assessed localized porewater concentrations of TOrCs in near-shore environments across five Minnesota Lakes. Sampling sites were designated as either likely (HOME) or unlikely (REF) to receive OWTS discharges based on their proximity to shoreline households. Sampling sites also served as sunfish spawning habitats concurrently studied for biological impacts to resident adult males. Two-group hypothesis tests demonstrated significantly (p = .02) higher total TOrC concentrations in HOME (Mean = 841 ng/L) versus REF (Mean = 222 ng/L) sites. HOME sites also contained a wider suite of TOrC detections relative to REF sites. The distance to the nearest household (most proximal distance; MPD) negatively correlated (r = −0.62) with total TOrC concentrations. However, 2,4-D and DEET were major contributors to these total concentrations, suggesting that anthropogenic influence from households may not be exclusively attributed to OWTS discharges. Further, TOrC presence and elevated nitrogen concentrations in REF site porewater suggest additional, non-household TOrC discharges to these lakes. Significantly higher blood concentrations of vitellogenin (p = .03) and 11-ketotestosterone (p = .01) were observed in adult male sunfish captured from HOME versus REF sites. Comparisons between chemical and biological data indicate enhanced bioactive effects of co-contaminants. The findings from this study demonstrate multiple diffuse transport pathways contribute to the presence of biologically active TOrC mixtures in Minnesota Lakes, and mitigation efforts should consider minimizing residential inputs of chemicals associated with both outdoor and OWTS activity.

Fine-scale spatial patterns of genetic relatedness among resident adult prairie voles.

Characterizing the spatial arrangement of related individuals within populations can convey information about opportunities for the evolution of kin-selected social behaviors, the potential for inbreeding, and the geographic distribution of genetic variation. Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) are socially monogamous rodents that sometimes breed cooperatively. Individuals of both sexes are highly philopatric, and among natal dispersers, the average dispersal distance is about 30 m. Such limited natal dispersal can result in the spatial clustering of kin and we used microsatellite data to estimate genetic relatedness among resident adult prairie voles in 2 natural populations to test the hypothesis that limited natal dispersal of male and female prairie voles results in the spatial clustering of kin. Spatial autocorrelation analyses of nest residency and microsatellite data indicated that proximate same-sex adult residents of both sexes were significantly more related than more spatially distant resident same-sex adults in Kansas. In Indiana, adult female voles residing less than 20 m apart were also significantly more related than more spatially distant resident adult females but spatial clustering of kin was not detected among resident adult males. The spatial clustering of kin indicates that opportunities for kin-selected behaviors exist in both populations, especially among females. Differences in the patterns of spatial genetic structure among resident males between the Kansas and Indiana populations may be due to population differences in factors such as demography and mating system, as well as in the extent of natal philopatry.

Major histocompatibility complex and mate choice in the polygynous primate: the Sichuan snub‐nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana)

The highly polymorphic genes within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) not only play a major role in immunity resistance, but also seem to provide hints for mate choice in some animal populations. In the present study we investigated MHC-related mate choice in a small natural population (group size 40-55 individuals) of a polygynous primate, the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana). We found that there was no evidence either for MHC-disassortative mating, or for females to mate with males based on MHC heterozygosity or specific alleles. Nevertheless, of the 11 alleles identified, we found that the frequencies of 2 alleles, Rhro-DRB2 (P < 0.01) and Rhro-DRB5 (P < 0.05) were higher in offspring than in their parents. These findings suggest that MHC-DRB in this population of R. roxellana is unlikely to be associated with mating preferences. Limited female opportunities for mate choice are likely due, in part, to the harem breeding structure present in R. roxellana, and the relatively small number of resident adult males in our study band (N = 4-6). In addition, we suggest that differences in the frequency of particular alleles across generations may be linked to parasite resistance in a fluctuating environment; however, confirmation of this finding requires further study.

Grooming reciprocity in male Tibetan macaques

In several primate species, adult males are reported to compete for access to reproductive partners as well as forming affiliative and cohesive social bonds based on the exchange of goods or services. We hypothesized that among a broad set of fitness-maximizing strategies, grooming can be used by individual adult males to enhance social relationships through reciprocity and/or through the interchange of grooming for a different but equivalent good or service. We used focal animal sampling and continuously recorded dyadic grooming and agonistic interactions to test a series of predictions regarding male social interactions in a free-ranging group of Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Huangshan, China. During the non-mating season or between males of similar rank throughout the year, grooming effort given was matched by grooming effort received. However, lower ranking males groomed higher ranking males at a greater rate and/or for a longer duration during both the mating and non-mating periods. We found that higher ranking males directed less aggression towards males with whom they formed a frequent grooming partnership, indicating that grooming received was interchanged for increased social tolerance. These data suggest that individual male Tibetan macaques employ alternative social strategies associated with grooming reciprocity or interchange depending on dominance rank and rates of aggression, and highlight the importance of both biological markets and grooming reciprocity as behavioral mechanisms used by resident adult males to form and maintain affiliative social bonds.

Unexpected strong polygyny in the brown-throated three-toed sloth.

Promiscuous mating strategies are much more common than previously appreciated. So much so, that several authors have proposed that promiscuity is the “rule” rather than the exception in vertebrate mating systems. Decreasing species mobility and increasing habitat fragmentation have both been suggested to reduce the “polygyny potential” of the environment and promote other mating strategies like promiscuity in females. We explored the social and genetic mating system for one of the most sedentary extant mammals, the brown-throated three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus), within a highly fragmented Neotropical habitat. Surprisingly, we found that three-toed sloths were strongly polygynous, with males excluding male competitors from their core ranges, and exhibiting strong reproductive skew. Indeed, only 25% of all resident adult males sired offspring and one individual sired half of all sampled juveniles. Paradoxically, a sedentary life-history strategy seems to facilitate polygyny in fragmented landscapes because multiple females can persist within small patches of habitat, and be monopolized by a single male. Our work demonstrates that strong polygyny can arise in systems in which the polygyny potential should be extremely low, and other strategies, including promiscuity, would be favoured. Mating systems can be influenced by a multitude of factor and are dynamic, varying among taxa, over time, and across habitats; consequently, mating systems remain difficult to predict based on general ecological principles.

Scent marking in sifaka: no one function explains it all

Various hypotheses to explain possible functions of scent-marking have been put forth and basically fall into five categories: territorial demarcation, ownership of resources, mate attraction, noncombative fighting, and self-advertisement. Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi), like many prosimians, use scent-marking as one form of communication. The goal of this study was to determine the function of scent-marking in sifaka. All-occurrence of scent-marks, scent-mark context, and scent-mark style were collected on 23 sifaka in the Kirindy Forest of western Madagascar for 7 months (September 2001-March 2002). Scent-mark rates were collected using continuous focal animal sampling from November 2000-March 2002. Home range data were collected using monthly censuses and instantaneous focal sampling throughout the 17 months. Scent-marking behavior was exhibited almost exclusively by adults. Scent-mark rates were not related to the number of resident adult males, number of resident adult females, rank, or group size. The majority of scent-marks occurred in the perimeter of the home range; however, less than a quarter of the home range was used by only a single group. Sifaka did not preferentially mark food trees, mark during the mating season, or mark during intergroup encounters. The results from this study indicate that none of the five hypothesized functions best explains all scent-marking in Verreaux's sifaka. Rather, scent-marking may serve different functions for different individuals.

Mating Strategies in Relation to Sexually Selected Infanticide in a Non‐Social Carnivore: the Brown Bear

AbstractBased on the sexually selected infanticide (SSI) hypothesis, infanticide can be an adaptive mating strategy for males, but this is has rarely been documented in non‐social mammals. This phenomenon should not benefit females, so one would expect females to evolve mating counter strategies in order to protect their infants from infanticidal males. Cases of SSI are extremely difficult to document in the field, especially for non‐social species. Using field observations and genetic methods, we describe mating strategies employed by both sexes of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in relation to SSI. We present evidence for the first time suggesting that infanticide is an adaptive male mating strategy in this non‐social carnivore, as all requirements for SSI are fulfilled (1) infanticide shortens the time to the mother's next estrus, (2) the perpetrator is not the father of the killed infants, and (3) putative perpetrators sire the next litter. Moreover, all infanticide cases occurred during the mating season. We expected that primarily immigrant males were infanticidal, as in social species. However, we found that resident adult males commonly committed infanticide. Perhaps they recognize females they have mated with previously. Moreover, we used DNA‐based parentage testing to demonstrate a minimum of 14.5% of multiple paternities (up to 28% for litters with at least three young). Female promiscuity to confuse paternity may be an adaptive counter strategy to avoid infanticide.

Estimating effects of adult male mortality on grizzly bear population growth and persistence using matrix models

We radio monitored a hunted, sexually segregated grizzly bear ( Ursus arctos) population and an unhunted, unsegregated population for demographics and constructed a stage- and age-classified matrix model to test for the effects of adult male mortality and resulting sexual segregation on population growth and persistence. Population parameters in the model were adult female survival, subadult female survival, offspring survival, probability of litter sizes, and probability of unsuccessful pregnancy. The last three parameters were affected by adult male mortality and segregation, the others were not. We compared population growth with and without effects of hunting by holding adult female and subadult female survival constant and by using hunted and unhunted values for offspring survival, litter size, and pregnancy. Population growth (Lambda) showed the greatest elasticity for adult survival, subadult survival, offspring survival, litter size, and unsuccessful pregnancy, in that order. This corresponds with observed anti-infanticide tactics (sexual segregation) by adult females to maximize their fitness. The hunted population decreased at a rate of 0.99 whereas the simulated, unhunted population increased at a rate of 1.05. The hunted population was much more susceptible to population extinction. Under demographic stochasticity mean time to extinction was 32 years in the hunted population and 110 years in the unhunted population. Under environmental stochasicity mean time to extinction was 21 years in the hunted population and 43 years in the unhunted population. We suggest that sexual segregation caused by hunting resident adult males can result in population decline and can even contribute to rapid population extinctions when numbers are small.

Social and seasonal influences on reproductive biology in male moustached tamarins (Saguinus mystax)

In several primate taxa there is evidence that the social and physical environment can exert a significant effect on reproductive behavior and biology. In this paper we examine social and physiological factors influencing group composition and reproduction in free-ranging moustached tamarin monkeys (Saguinus mystax mystax). This species is characterized by cooperative care of the young and a breeding system that includes both polyandrous and polygyandrous matings. Body measurements collected on adult males residing in multimale groups indicate marked within-group differences in testes volume. In 12 of 17 groups examined, testes volume of at least two resident adult males differed by 21–174%. Among these males, testes volume was not correlated with either body weight or adult age class. We also examine whether factors such as time of year had an effect on reproductive condition. An analysis of body measurements of 128 adult male and 127 adult female moustached tamarins, wild-trapped and released in northeastern Peru, indicates cyclic changes in genital size. For males, mean monthly testes volume in July (712 mm3) was twice that recorded in June (351 mm3). Females exhibited a similar pattern. Although endocrine information on intra- and intersexual social effects on fertility are unavailable for S. mystax, given the high degree of social cooperation and lack of overt aggression among adult male group members, we offer the possibility that resident male moustached tamarins compete for access to the groups' lone breeding female through socially induced reproductive suppression and sperm competition. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Social and seasonal influences on reproductive biology in male moustached tamarins (Saguinus mystax).

In several primate taxa there is evidence that the social and physical environment can exert a significant effect on reproductive behavior and biology. In this paper we examine social and physiological factors influencing group composition and reproduction in free-ranging moustached tamarin monkeys (Saguinus mystax mystax). This species is characterized by cooperative care of the young and a breeding system that includes both polyandrous and polygyandrous matings. Body measurements collected on adult males residing in multimale groups indicate marked within-group differences in testes volume. In 12 of 17 groups examined, testes volume of at least two resident adult males differed by 21-174%. Among these males, testes volume was not correlated with either body weight or adult age class. We also examine whether factors such as time of year had an effect on reproductive condition. An analysis of body measurements of 128 adult male and 127 adult female moustached tamarins, wild-trapped and released in northeastern Peru, indicates cyclic changes in genital size. For males, mean monthly testes volume in July (712 mm3) was twice that recorded in June (351 mm3). Females exhibited a similar pattern. Although endocrine information on intra- and intersexual social effects on fertility are unavailable for S. mystax, given the high degree of social cooperation and lack of overt aggression among adult male group members, we offer the possibility that resident male moustached tamarins compete for access to the groups' lone breeding female through socially induced reproductive suppression and sperm competition. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Introduction and integration of strangers into captive groups of tufted capuchins (Cebus apella)

We introduced two to four unfamiliar animals into three established groups (N = 6–9 per group) of tufted capuchins (Cebus apella).We present findings on the behavioral consequences of introductions as a function of age, sex, and residency status and long-term consequences for health and reproduction. No morbidity from aggression occurred at the time of introductions or during several months following, and reproduction was not compromised. Activity budgets and patterns of social spacing and interaction were little changed following the introductions except for increases in vigilance behavior, especially by newly introduced adult females. Adult females exhibited the strongest and longest-lasting response to changes in group composition. The results indicate that in this species (1) introductions of adult females can be carried out with acceptable risk to the newcomers provided that careful monitoring occurs, so that the onset of severe aggression instigated by resident females toward new females can be avoided, (2) juveniles can be introduced with minimal risk, and (3) adult males can be introduced into groups lacking resident adult males with minimal risk. Capuchins differ in important ways from the better-studied Old World monkeys in their response to introductions of strangers. The differences are instructive with regard to processes supporting species-typical social structure, which is less overtly hierarchical in capuchins than in macaques.

Social status signalling in white-crowned sparrows: an experimental test of the social control hypothesis

Abstract. Some winter flocking passerines possess variable plumage that functions to signal social status. The social control hypothesis has been proposed to explain why subordinate birds do not cheat by displaying the brighter signal of dominant birds. This hypothesis assumes like-versus-like aggression between dominants and suggests that cheating is prevented by an increase in the number of interactions that cheaters encounter with legitimately dominant birds. The presence of like-versus-like aggression in white-crowned sparrows, Zonotrichia leucophrys, was assessed by simultaneously introducing an adult and immature male, members of the highest and next to lowest ranking age-sex classes, respectively, into four aviaries containing resident adult and immature males. Contrary to the social control hypothesis there was no difference in the amount of aggression resident adults directed against introduced adults and immatures. Furthermore, resident adult males did not initiate aggression against other resident adult males more often than against resident immature males. Adult residents behaved the same regardless of whether they were the more or less common age class among residents. Social control is unlikely to be responsible for the evolutionary stability of social status signalling in white-crowned sparrows, and a review of other studies reveals little evidence that it controls cheating in any species.

Family Experiences, Attitudes, and Household Safety Practices Regarding Firearms

To assess families' experiences with shootings and firearm ownership and attitudes, 208 children aged 5 to 12 years were interviewed and 242 parents filled out a questionnaire, all at an urban hospital. Forty-three percent of the parents and 25% of the children had personal knowledge of shootings. Of the parents, 10% owned guns, of which only 21% were stored safely. Gun ownership was more common in homes with resident adult males (14%) than in those with no adult males (3%). Most children (81%) played with guns, and 20% to 25% preferred violent TV shows, games, and toys. Parents' and children's attitudes toward firearms and children's gun play did not differ by level of mother's education; method of payment for, or site of, health care; income; or exposure to shootings. Children with personal knowledge of shootings more often expressed fears of being shot than did other children (52% vs 31%). The children in our study population were similar in their gun play and attitudes about gun use despite disparate socioeconomic backgrounds and exposure to shootings.

A comparison of population characteristics and reproductive success of resident and immigrant meadow voles

We used a radionuclide technique combined with a minimum-weight criterion to identify resident and immigrant meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, on an open grid in South Natick, Massachusetts. Using the same techniques with populations on two fenced grids, we calculated an error rate of 7.2% in residency assignment. Immigrants were not a random subset of the resident population. Among immigrant voles the sex ratio was significantly male biased, whereas among residents it did not differ from 1:1. Immigrants had genotypic ratios that differed significantly from those of residents at three of five allozyme loci examined electrophoretically. Although immigrant males resided on the grid significantly longer than resident adult males, they did not differ significantly in reproductive success, maximum weight, or distance moved between trapping periods. Immigrants seemed to be as successful as residents during a period of low or declining density.

The use of testicular volume as a clinical marker for cytogenetic disorders in mentally retarded males

The testicular volumes (V) of 817 adult (non-Down's syndrome) institutionalized males were calculated. The mean testicular volume was 19.5 +/- 15.8 ml, comparable to the normal adult male mean of 17-19 ml. However, the number of institutionalized males with V greater than or equal to 25 ml and V less than or equal to 10 ml was increased approximately fourfold over the normal male population. Resident adult males were grouped into three categories based on their testicular volumes: (1) V greater than or equal to 25 ml (macro-orchid); (2) V less than or equal to 15 ml (micro-orchid); and (3) 15 less than V less than 25 ml ('normal'). An equal number of randomly selected males from each category were cytogenetically screened for the fra(X) syndrome as well as for non-fra(X) chromosome abnormalities. The overall frequencies of these disorders were 3.1% and 3.9%, respectively. The fra(X) syndrome was found in a significantly higher percentage of macro-orchid males (10.3%) as compared to males with either micro-orchidism (1.2%) or normal testicular volume (1.2%). There was no significant difference in the distribution of either fra(X) negative non-specific XLMR or non-fra(X) chromosome abnormalities among resident males from these three categories. Testicular volumes greater than or equal to 25 ml, especially those exceeding 40 ml, were thus shown to be useful clinical markers in the diagnosis of the fra(X) syndrome. Reduced testicular volume was not a useful clinical marker in the evaluation of other non-Down's syndrome chromosome abnormalities.

A field study of ocelots (Felis pardalis) in Peru

A population of ocelots was followed by radio-tracking in a Peruvian rain forest. Two resident adult males, two adult females, and three subadults were radio-collared, as well as two transients. Ocelots were active at any time of day, but usually they rested in the morning, became active in mid — to late — afternoon, and continued activity until after dawn the following morning, with one rest period during the night. They spent an average of 9.6 hours walking per night. Breeding females occupied mutually exclusive territories, but an old female was tolerated on their territories by her former neighbours when the latter had no dependent young. Apparent direct territorial defense by females was recorded four times. Adult males occupied large territories that overlapped three or more female ranges. Circumstantial evidence indicated that females on the study area produced young about every other year. A lactating female increased her daily activity to a maximum of 133 % above normal, to 93 % of the time, before losing her litter. It is conjectured that she was unable to sustain the foraging demands of lactation. An 80 % grown subadult female was already wandering, but two 80 % grown males occupied small ranges within their presumed mother’s territories. The disappearance of an old adult male and establishment of another coincided with changes in the status of all collared residents. Although ocelots hunted, traveled, and usually denned alone, they often met : 37 encounters between collared cats were recorded during radio-tracking. ter. It is conjectured that she was unable to sustain the foraging demands of lactation. An 80 % grown subadult female was already wandering, but two 80 % grown males occupied small ranges within their presumed mother’s territories. The disappearance of an old adult male and establishment of another coincided with changes in the status of all collared residents. Although ocelots hunted, traveled, and usually denned alone, they often met : 37 encounters between collared cats were recorded during radio-tracking.

Affiliative behavior of adult female sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atys).

A 14-month study of 30 adult female members of a captive group of sooty mangabeys investigated their affiliative interactions with group members of varying age and sex. The adult females preferentially affiliated with other adults and interacted less than expected with immature group members. Dyadic frequencies suggested especially frequent affiliation with the three resident adult males, although the pattern of interaction with each male was distinct and apparently was related to age and dominance status of the males. Females of the alpha matriline showed significantly greater affiliation with the males than did those of other matrilines, but this preference was not reciprocated by the males. A preference for grooming older group members (some of the matriarchs and the oldest adult male) was also suggested. In consideration of the taxonomic distinctness of the sooty mangabey from the gray-cheeked mangabey, comparison of these results with those available for albigena were made. Few differences were apparent. Comparisons with the affiliative behavior of Papio females also suggested limited differences, despite the apparently isolated position of the sooty mangabey within the tribe Papionini.