INVESTIGADORES
KOWALEWSKI Miguel Martin
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
The Social Function of Male Embracing in wild black and gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya)
Autor/es:
KOWALEWSKI, MARTIN; RAÑO, MARIANA; GENNUSO, M SOL; GARBER, PAUL A
Lugar:
Austin
Reunión:
Congreso; 87TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGISTS; 2018
Institución organizadora:
American Association of Physical Anthropologists
Resumen:
Theories of primate reproductive ecology and social strategies have suggested that in species that form multimale-multifemale social groups, adult males are expected to compete aggressively for access to fertile females while investing less time and energy in intrasexual cooperative and affiliative behaviors. In this study, we describe the behavior and social function of male embracing in Alouatta caraya, a species of dichromatic howler monkey. In 2004, we collected data on two neighboring multimale multifemale groups (number of adult males per group were 3-4 and number of adult females averaged 3-4) over a 12-month period in Northern Argentina. During the study period, 2,390 hr of quantitative behavioral data (approximately 1,195 hr per group) were collected. We found that adult males embraced at a rate of 0.03 occurrences per male observation hr (total of 129 embraces); 71% during intergroup encounters, 13% during howling without intergroup visual contact, 11% during periods that resulted in a change in resident male social hierarchy, and 5% during dyadic male excursions tothe borders of the group?s range. Our results indicate that male embracing occurred during events associated with increased extra-group threat and group tension. We conclude that the primary function embracing among resident male howler monkeys is to reaffirm bonds of social affiliation during intergroup encounters, as well as to reduce tension or arousal that could lead to within-group aggression. The functions of male embracing across atelines are discussed.