Download Chapter 6 Primate Behavior

Chapter 6
Primate Behavior
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Primate Field Studies
The Evolution of Behavior
Five Monkey Species in the Kebale Forest,
Uganda
Primate Social Groups
Primate Social Behavior
Reproduction and Reproductive Strategies
Mothers and Infants
Primate Field Studies
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Field studies collect information on nonhuman
primates in their natural habitats
Groups of many species have been studied
continuously for 20 to 30 years.
Evolution of Behavior
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Behaviors have evolved through the operation
of natural selection.
Behavior is influenced by genetics and by
interactions between genetic and
environmental factors that are not fully
understood.
Five Monkey species in the Kibale
Forest, Uganda
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Five species studied are all varieties of Old
World monkeys.
Although habitats overlap, the species differ
regarding anatomy, behavior and dietary
preferences.
Five Monkey Species in the Kibale
Forest, Uganda
Comparisons and Generalizations
 Omnivores move about more than folivores.
 Among omnivores, inverse relationship
between body size and group size.
Five Monkey Species in the Kibale
Forest, Uganda
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Omnivores are spatially more dispersed than
folivores.
Female sexual swelling is obvious only in
species that live in multimale groups.
Feeding, spacing, group residency, dispersal
and reproductive strategies may be different for
males and females of the same species.
Primate Social Behavior
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Dominance Hierarchies impose order within
the group.
Communication is universal among animals.
Territoriality and acquisition of females are the
motives suggested for chimpanzee male
aggression.
Affiliative Behaviors
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Reinforce bonds between individuals and
enhance group stability.
Hugging, kissing and grooming are used in
reconciliation.
Relationships are crucial to nonhuman
primates and can last a lifetime.
Altruistic behaviors are common in primates.
Patterns of Reproduction
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Sexual behavior is tied to the female’s
reproductive cycle.
Male and female Bonobos may mate even
when the female is not in estrus, a behavior
that is not typical of chimpanzees.
Mothers and Infants
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The basic social unit among all primates is the
female and her infants.
Except in species in which monogamy or
polyandry occur, males do not participate in
rearing offspring.
The mother-infant relationship is often
maintained throughout life.