Dominance rank and fecal testosterone levels in adult male chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda |
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Authors: | Muehlenbein Michael P Watts David P Whitten Patricia L |
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Institution: | Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. mpm1@uwm.edu |
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Abstract: | In an attempt to describe hormone-behavior interactions in a sample of wild male chimpanzees, we quantified testosterone in 67 fecal samples obtained from 22 adult male chimpanzees at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda. A mixed-model methodology that controlled for age-class identified a significant positive association between testosterone levels and dominance rank. The results are consistent with those reported from a separate, smaller chimpanzee community in the same population in a study that analyzed testosterone levels in urine Muller & Wrangham, 2004]. As in that earlier study, our results held during a period of social stability, which is not consistent with predictions of the "challenge hypothesis." We concur with Muller and Wrangham 2004] that the challenge hypothesis requires modification to explain the chimpanzee data, because fission-fusion sociality in chimpanzees makes challenges unpredictable. We also discuss the utility of fecal samples and a mixed-model statistical method for behavioral endocrinology studies. |
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Keywords: | dominance rank chimpanzee testosterone fecal hormones challenge hypothesis |
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