Inter-male associations in a wild Japanese macaque troop on Yakushima Island,Japan |
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Authors: | Takeshi Furuichi |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Human Evolution Studies, Faculty of Science, Kyoto University, 606 Kyoto, Japan |
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Abstract: | Adult male association and its annual change were studied in a wild population of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata yakui) on Yakushima Island, Japan. Unlike many other Japanese macaque troops, adult troop males frequently maintained proximity
and exchanged grooming with one another in both the mating and non-mating seasons, and the dominance relationship rarely appeared
in such inter-male associations. The few cases of agonistic interactions occurred mostly when estrous females or food resources
were immediately concerned. Although troop males were very intolerant to newly appeared solitary males (new males) during
the mating season, close associations were formed between troop males and new males as soon as the mating season terminated.
The consort of new males and lower-ranking troop males with estrous females was frequently disturbed, but these males could
copulate no less frequently than higher-ranking males. A comparison among macaque species suggests the existence of two forms
of inter-male association: (1) the frequent association based on the symmetrical exchange of social behaviors; and (2) the
infrequent and asymmetrical association related to the dominance relationship. The form of inter-male association seems to
be influenced by whether or not males can keep close associations with females throughout the year. |
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Keywords: | Macaca fuscata Inter-male association Dominance Grooming Agonistic interaction Male migration |
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