关键词: 短尾猴, 雌性, 亲缘关系, 顺位, 年龄, 社会联系强度

Abstract: In many primate species, social bonds between individuals play an important role in their population stability. Strong social relationships can lead to a longer life span and reproductive success for individuals. In this study, we utilized the focal animal sampling method and the behavioral sampling method to collect data on adult female Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) of one wild group (YA1) at Mt. Huangshan National Park, China. The behavioral observation was done throughout mating (September-December, 2015) and non-mating (March-May, 2016) seasons. To investigate the social bond strength between adult females and its influencing factors, we synthesized grooming and proximity behavior to score the social bond strength. We found that the social bond strength between individuals was not significantly influenced by seasons (t = 0.181, P = 0. 857). Kinship was significantly positively correlated to social bond strength (Mating season: r =0.534, P = 0.001; Non-mating season: r =0.469, P = 0.001), whereas rank distance was negatively correlated to social bonds (Mating season: r = -0.288, P= 0.014; Non-mating season: r = -0.238, P = 0.048). Age difference was not significantly correlated to social bonds (Mating season: r = -0.176, P =0.181; Non-mating season: r = -0.192, P = 0.151). Our study confirmed that the social bond strength between adult female Tibetan macaques was stable, and kinship and dominance rank significantly influenced social bond strength.

Key words: Age, Dominance rank, Female, Kinship, Social bond strength, Tibetan Macaques (Macaca thibetana)