Patterns of predation in a free-ranging troop of stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides): Relations to the ecology II |
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Authors: | Alejandro Estrada Rosamond Estrada |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Mexico, Mexico;(2) Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, U. N. A. M., Apartado Postal 70228, México 20, D. F. |
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Abstract: | Data on patterns of systematic and ocassional hunting of birds, mammals, reptiles, mollusks and insects by Stumptail macaques
are reported for a period of ten months. Systematic hunting of water snails, terrestrial spiders, and land worms was conducted
by all age classes, except infants, and both sexes. Of the occasional hunting of birds, large lizards, large frogs, and field
mice, the adult females conducted 70%, the adult males 12%, the two year old females 12%, and the two year old males 6%. The
differences between males and females were statistically significant (.05 confidence level). Females dominated the hunt and
were more interested in meateating than the males. This contrasts strikingly with the data reported for baboons and chimpanzees
in which the males dominate the hunt.
Of all the prey hunted ocassionally, 76% was shared. The differences between shared and not sared prey were statistically
significant (.05 confidence level). All age classes, including infants, participated in meat-sharing. Three types of meat-sharing
are described: mother-offspring, hunter-close-friend, and piece-dropping. The prey was shared with genetic relatives, and
with close and sistant friends in this order. Pearson’s correlation coeficients between rank of hunter and number of hunts
and between rank of hunter and number of individuals with whom the prey was shared yielded +.866 and +.890 respectively. Meat-sharing
seems to be similar to that observed for baboons but some differences exist between baboons and chimpanzees on the one hand
and Stumptails on the other. Dominance relations in our Stumptails seem to act as the context determining the direction and
the type of sharing.
An increase in hunting activity during the study period is suggested to be the result of the prey’s migratory and breeding
patterns, of environmental changes, and of the high activity scores and physiological states of the adult-females in the troop.
Although not hunted, reactions to snakes, iguanas, scorpions, and gulls are also described.
This work was supported by grants from Behavioral Sciences Foundation and by NSF Grant No. GB-42235. |
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