%0 Journal Article %A LI Jinhua %A SUN Binghua %A WANG Shuang %A WANG Xi %A XIA Dongpo %A ZHU Lei %A ZHU Yong %T Stability of the female dominance hierarchy in free-ranging,provisioned adult Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana)at Mt. Huangshan,China %D 2013 %R %J ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA %P 238-245 %V 33 %N 3 %X Dominance hierarchy stability has been used to measure group stability and cohesiveness. In female-philopatric species,the stability of the female dominance hierarchy is especially important in determining group dynamics. For four months each during the mating (September - December 2011)and non-mating (February - May 2012) seasons,we examined stability of the adult female dominance hierarchy in free-ranging Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). We studied Yulinkeng (Y)A1 and YA2 groups,using focal animal and all-occurrences data collection methods. We investigated the female dominance hierarchy and its stability based on three quantitative indices:aggression-submission frequency,social ranks and hierarchical steepness. We found no variation by season in the three variables in either social group (P > 0. 05). Our data indicate that,in YA1 and YA2,the female dominance hierarchy is stable. Our results support earlier,qualitative reports of female dominance hierarchy in this species. %U http://www.mammal.cn/EN/abstract/article_2935.shtml