Social context as a structuring mechanism in captive groups of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)

Various classes of individuals were removed from three captive groups of squirrel monkeys and effects measured on the frequencies of nonagonistic interactions of the remaining individuals. Results indicated that there are regularities in the effects of certain classes of dyadic relationships on others which may be considered species-typical structuring mechanisms ofSaimiri social groups and which account for in consistencies which have appeared between experimentally identified social preferences of adults of this species and their actual behavior in social groups. A tentative process model ofSaimiri social structure and its seasonally changing character is presented and implications of this kind of analytical model for studies of evolution and adaptation are briefly discussed.