Primate Behavior

Question 1

Some field primatologists spend huge amounts of time following around wild groups, BUT this isn’t as easy as it sounds

Answer 1

• The animals must become habituated to human presence
• The researchers learn all of the animals

Question 2

Types of data from field primatologists?

Answer 2

1.) Biological observations
- life stages
- oestrus
2.) Behavioral observations
- social interactions
- tool use
3.) Biological samples
4.) Foraging behavior
5.) All of it together

*What is the hormonal state of an individual following a certain behavioral observation?

Question 3

Primates are____ animals?!

Answer 3

SOCIAL

Question 4

What is one pro of being in a group?

Answer 4

Decreases predation risk

Question 5

Social structure and benefits of the predator warning calls of vervet monkeys?

Answer 5

Vervets live in social groups of 10-70 individuals
- fairly small in size
- occupy a broad range of habitats

When they are feeding, some group members will be on watch and give alarm calls for predators (the alarm calls are predator-specific and elicit different responses for protection!)

*This is an example of how a behavior (call) increases fitness via social group

Question 6

How does being in a social group make food resources easier to defend?

Answer 6

When primates have territorial ranges, they defend the resources in their area
- overlap areas have the potential for intense competition so more protection in groups

*strength in numbers!

Question 7

Downsides of group life?

Answer 7

• more mouths to feed
• dominance hierarchy

Question 8

Dominance hierarchy?

Answer 8

Ranking of individuals in the group that create asymmetrical interactions between individuals

Alpha males vs. lower ranking males

Question 9

What is the tool that is sometimes used to establish and maintain dominance?

Answer 9

Aggression
- agonistic behavior

Question 10

Aggression and agonistic behavior has big downsides

Answer 10

Despite the belief that evolution should favor those who know when to walk away, know when to run

Question 11

Piloerectection

Answer 11

Makes an animal look bigger

Question 12

Do primates have many ways to “size each other up” and show submission?

Answer 12

Yes

Question 13

Displays provide information for assessing competitor

Answer 13

• size
• strength and determination
• allies

Question 14

Submission gestures provide signal for “uncle”

Answer 14

• vocalizations
• facial expressions
• postures
• grooming

Question 15

Allies make you look more what?

Answer 15

Formidable

Question 16

Orangutans have phenotypic indicators of dominance

Answer 16

Dominant breeding male with secondary sexual characteristics (cheek pads)
- where a dominant male is present, surrounding males do not develop secondary sexual characteristics as they become fully mature
- even as adults, these non-dominant males will appear juvenile in looks

Question 17

In addition to mediating group conflict, dominance hierarchies can affect chances at______

Answer 17

reproduction

Question 18

Are there cases of female dominance in primate groups?

Answer 18

Yes; prosimians have the most cases of female-dominant species

Female dominance tends to be cooperative in nature
- tends to lack submission gestures and dominance displays
- based on seniority and desirableness as a mate

Question 19

Regardless of the way the hierarchy is structured, higher position often correlates with_____

Answer 19

greater fitness