Wild geladas (Theropithecus gelada) in crops-more than in pasture areas-reduce aggression and affiliation.

ABSTRACT: Human-primate interfaces are expanding and, despite recent studies on primates from peri-urban environments, little research exists on the impact of agriculture and/or pasture areas on primate social behavior and health. We assessed how crop/pasture areas potentially alter social behavior and health of wild geladas (Theropithecus gelada) frequenting the unprotected area of Kundi (Ethiopia). We predicted that compared to pasture areas, crop areas (i) would be more challenging for geladas (prediction 1) and (ii) would have a greater impact on both aggressive and affiliative behavior, by reducing grooming time and enhancing competition (prediction 2). During January-May 2019 and December 2019-February 2020, we collected data (via scan, focal animal sampling, and video analyses) on direct huma

SUBMITTER: Caselli M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8225520 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature