Social cliques in male northern muriquis Brachyteles hypoxanthus

Tokuda, M; Boubli, JP; Izar, P; Strier, KB

Abstract

Analyses of spatial relationships and social interactions provide insights into the social structure of animal societies and the ways in which social preferences among and between dyads affect higher order social relationships. In this paper we describe the patterns of spatial associations and social interactions among adult male northern muriquis in order to evaluate the dynamics of their social networks above the dyadic levels. Systematic observations were made on the 17 adult males present in a multi-male/multi-female group from April 2004 through February 2005, and in July 2005. Analyses of their spatial relationships identified two distinct male cliques; some adult males (called “N” males) were more connected to the females and immatures than other adult males (“MU” males), which were more connected to one another. Affiliative interactions were significantly higher among dyads belonging to the same clique than to different cliques. Although frequencies of dyadic agonistic interactions were similarly low among individuals within and between cliques, MU males appeared to be subordinate to N males. Nonetheless, there were no significant differences in the copulation rates estimated for MU males and N males. Mutual benefits of cooperation between MU and N cliques in intergroup encounters might explain their ongoing associations in the same mixed-sex group.

Citation

Tokuda, M., Boubli, J., Izar, P., & Strier, K. (2012). Social cliques in male northern muriquis Brachyteles hypoxanthus. Current Zoology, 58(2), 342-352. https://doi.org/10.1093/czoolo/58.2.342

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 14, 2011
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Nov 1, 2021
• Journal: Current Zoology
• Print ISSN: 1674-5507
• Electronic ISSN: 2396-9814
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Volume: 58
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 342-352
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/czoolo/58.2.342
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/czoolo/58.2.342
• Related Public URLs: http://cz.oxfordjournals.org/
• Additional Information: Access Information : This article can be read for free using the link above.; Funders : São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP);Sustainable Development of the Brazilian Biodiversity Program-PROBIO / MMA / BIRD / GEF / CNPq and the Zoological Society of San Diego; Grant Number: 05/52260-0