Facial width-to-height ratio relates to alpha status and assertive personality in capuchin monkeys.

ABSTRACT: Social dominance hierarchies play a pivotal role in shaping the behaviour of many species, and sex differences within these hierarchies often exist. To date, however, few physical markers of dominance have been identified. Such markers would be valuable in terms of understanding the etiology of dominant behaviour and changes in social hierarchies over time. Animals may also use such traits to evaluate the potential dominance of others relative to themselves (i.e. a physical "cue"). Facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR), for example, has been suggested as a cue to dominance in humans, with links to both dominant behaviour and the perception of dominance in other individuals. Whether this association is present in non-human animals is currently not known. Therefore, here we examine within-spec

SUBMITTER: Lefevre CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3976278 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature