Social structure in a wild group of Macaca thibetana at mount emei, China

Abstract

Data on social interactions were collected mainly in the non-mating season, for one wild but partly provisioned group of Macaca thibetana whose members were individually recognized. Analysis of spontaneous and induced agonistic interactions revealed that a linear dominance hierarchy existed among individuals as in most macaque species studied to date. Social rank among the 1-to 2-year-old juveniles was basically determined by the positions of their mothers. Spontaneous agonistic interactions among adult males were much less common than those among adult females. Data on association showed that mother-infant and mother-yearling bonds were the strongest. Adult females and 2-to 4-year-old juveniles were commonly found in association. Adult males and 3-to 7-year-old males infrequently associated with each other apart from the alpha male and the beta male. Play mainly occurred among immatures, and members of the same age and the same rank preferred to play together. © 1987 S. Karger AG, Basel.