Dominance,Coloration, and Social and Sexual Behavior in Male Drills <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mandrillus leucophaeus</Emphasis> |
| |
Authors: | Jill S Marty James P Higham Elizabeth L Gadsby Caroline Ross |
| |
Institution: | (1) School of Human & Life Sciences, Roehampton University, Holybourne Avenue, London, SW15 4JD, UK;(2) School of Human & Life Sciences, Roehampton University, London, SW15 4JD, UK;(3) Present address: Institute for Mind and Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA;(4) Pandrillus, H.E.P.O. Box 826, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria; |
| |
Abstract: | Sexual selection has driven the evolution and elaboration of a wide variety of displays and ornaments in male nonhuman primates,
including capes, cheek flanges, and sexual coloration. Among the most sexually dimorphic of all primates is the drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus), the males of which can be 3 times the mass of females, possess large canines, and exhibit extremely bright sexual skin
coloration. However, the function of male coloration in this species has never been examined. Here, we present data on male
color (measured objectively using digital photography), dominance rank, measures of male-female association, and key sexual
behaviors, of adult male drills (n = 17) living in four semi free-ranging enclosures at the Drill Rehabilitation and Breeding Center in Nigeria. We test the
hypothesis that male coloration is a badge of status, indicating dominance rank, and the hypothesis that male coloration attracts
females. We found that male coloration did indicate rank, and that high ranking, strongly colored males were more likely to
associate with adult females, and more specifically with fully tumescent females. These males also engaged in more sexual
activity. However, measures of male-female association and sexual behaviors were not related to male color once rank had been
taken into consideration; i.e., for males of a given rank, females did not prefer those that were more colorful. We discuss
the results in light of what is known about the wild drill social system, in which unfamiliar individuals may come together
in “supergroups,” and in which quality indicators of competitive ability may be particularly important. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|