The evolution of female social relationships in nonhuman primates

1997 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 291-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth H. M. Sterck ◽  
David P. Watts ◽  
Carel P. van Schaik
Behaviour ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 141 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Izar

AbstractTheoretical models about female relationships within primate social groups hypothesise that food abundance and distribution are important factors determining the variation of patterns observed among species and populations. Despite some common premises, models formulated by van Schaik (1989) and Sterck et al. (1997) and by Isbell (1991) differ with respect to the importance of predation risk, the co-variation of contest and scramble competition and causes of female dispersal. In this study, data from a population of Cebus apella nigritus from Brazilian Atlantic Forest are analysed using predictions from these models. Competition among females, both within and between groups, is strong and related to food abundance and distribution. Females can transfer between groups, as well as males. Female dispersal is related to a significant reduction in per capita energy intake by group foragers during fruit scarcity periods. The data from this study are not conclusive about the importance of predation in causing variation of female relationships but favour the assumption from van Schaik and Sterck et al. that contest and scramble competition within and between groups can vary independently; and also favour the formulation from Isbell & Van Vuren (1996) on female dispersal. The exact pattern of female social relationships is not sufficiently explained by ecological causes alone. Social benefits provided by the dominant male also seem to be important.


Behaviour ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 185-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frans B.M. de Waal

The evolution of behavior is sometimes considered irrelevant to the issue of human morality, since it lacks the normative character of morality (‘ought’), and consist entirely of descriptions of how things are or came about (‘is’). Evolved behavior, including that of other animals, is not entirely devoid of normativity, however. Defining normativity as adherence to an ideal or standard, there is ample evidence that animals treat their social relationships in this manner. In other words, they pursue social values. Here I review evidence that nonhuman primates actively try to preserve harmony within their social network by, e.g., reconciling after conflict, protesting against unequal divisions, and breaking up fights amongst others. In doing so, they correct deviations from an ideal state. They further show emotional self-control and anticipatory conflict resolution in order to prevent such deviations. Recognition of the goal-orientation and normative character of animal social behavior permits us to partially bridge the is/ought divide erected in relation to human moral behavior.


Science ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 234 (4782) ◽  
pp. 1361-1366 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Cheney ◽  
R Seyfarth ◽  
B Smuts

Primates ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Goro Hanya ◽  
Miki Matsubara ◽  
Shuhei Hayaishi ◽  
Koichiro Zamma ◽  
Shinichi Yoshihiro ◽  
...  

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