4.4 - Primate Behaviour Flashcards
Captive studies
- research instituties
- observed 24/7
- control food, responses recorded
- unnatural setting
- individual behaviour best for this
semi free ranging
- can establish territories, easily observable, still not in conditions evolved
field studies
- Natural habitat, they evolved
- Specific environmental conditions select for specific traits
- Home ranges… hard to stay in contact
- Years of research needed
- need to get used to humans
- Most informative
Why are primates socially complex
- reproduction
- food
- protection from predators
Reproductive asymmetry
- difference between male and female reproductive potential
- Female has lower reproductive potential than males
- Once pregnant, female can’t get pregnant again for gestation
- Primates tend to give birth to single offspring at a time
what is the issue for males
competition for access to females
Sexual dimorphism is…
higher when more competition
males go for …. females go for ….
quantity, quality
female issue
mate selection
Estrus
period of fertility and sexual receptivity among females
sexually receptive behaviour
- sexual swelling
- scenting
- tail raising
- presenting
concealed ovulation in human from?
- social behaviour?
- Cooperation? - Monogamy?
intra group competition
more, smaller, weaker, can often get trouble getting food
Matrilineal clusters
closely related females socialize and feed each other
tradeoff with predators vs predation
- More ears, eyes, and noses BUT… larger groups also tend to make more noise
- Primate size and predators - smaller may have more predators and put more energy in mothers and young, affect social behaviours
What is solitary living
groups limited to no more than two adults and their offspring
What is monogamy
- a male and female live as a bonded pair for an extended period of time
social monogamy vs reproductive monogamy
What is one male polygyny
- one male and multiple females
- driven by females?
- infanticide common
- bachelor groups may attack
why should a female cheat
genetic variation
What is multi male polygyny
multiple males and multiple females
- dominant tries to keep access to most
- compete for priority of access
- dominance
- alpha male at top
What is polyandry
one female and multiple males
- rare in primates
- several males bond and raise offspring
- improves chances offspring gets food and not preyed on
What is fission fusion polygyny
temporary formation of small groups that come together and split apart repeatedly
- females and offspring only strong units
- foraging parties
What is foraging parties
5-6 eat food in area, then break up once done
Parental investment on part of males
- many ends at conception
- others more energy
- shape social systems?
