The dynamics of social organization in a population of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) in a seminatural environment

A population of about 200 squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) living in a seminatural environment at the Monkey Jungle in Goulds, Florida, were studied to determine the composition of the population and the basic pattern of its social structure. The social associations of 95 tagged individuals were recorded over a period of three years to determine the basic social organization of the population. The monkeys lived in one group of male juveniles and three female-centered groups with peripheral male subgroups. In spite of the homogeneity of the environment, the groups utilized different foraging strategies which was reflected in differences in the mean weight of adult females. Although females changed subgroup affiliation, they remained within the same large group. Males, however, rarely changed subgroups, but the subgroups frequently changed their group affiliation.