Whom to groom and for what? Patterns of grooming in female Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus).

ABSTRACT: Grooming is one of the most conspicuous social interactions among nonhuman primates. The selection of grooming partners can provide important clues about factors relevant for the distribution of grooming within a social group. We analyzed grooming behavior among 17 semi-free ranging female Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). We tested whether grooming is related to kinship, rank and friendship. Furthermore, we tested whether grooming is reciprocated or exchanged for rank related benefits (i.e. lower aggression and increased tolerance whilst feeding). We found that in general grooming was reciprocally exchanged, directed up the hierarchy and at the same time affected by friendship and kinship. Grooming was more frequent among individuals with higher friendship values as well as amongst rela

SUBMITTER: Roubova V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4323340 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature