Social organization as an expression of role behavior among Old World monkeys

Except for a few hours after birth, maternal status or maternal role behavior does not reduce the frequency of agonistic behaviors toward a subordinate mother. Although each species social adaptations can be understood only within the framework of its lifeway and ecology, there are phylogenetic adaptations which structure both signal systems and role behaviors. The expression of an individual's role behaviors is shaped by social context. Performance of certain behavioral roles may alter individual physiology, and in turn alter appearance and activity to enhance the behavior. A phylogenetic adaptation which restricts each social group to one functional adult male with respect to certain roles is widespread among Old World monkeys. Where social adaptation to a particular lifeway has dispersed these roles among several males, the adaptation is expressed as an alpha role, leader role, or central hierarchy.Supported by the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research Incorporated and NIH Grant FR-00165.