拥抱是非人灵长类动物特殊且重要的问候方式,常用于修复冲突后的个体间关系,但拥抱行为的影响因素及其社会功能仍需进一步阐明。本研究以栖息于安徽黄山的野生雄性短尾猴为研究对象,通过系统描述拥抱行为的类型、年龄组分布,分析拥抱行为的主要影响因素,并进一步探讨该行为的社会功能。结果显示:短尾猴的拥抱行为可分为无触摸生殖器、触摸生殖器和舔生殖器3种类型,其中无触摸生殖器和触摸生殖器类型最常见;3种类型的拥抱行为主要发生在非冲突环境下;随着年龄增加,拥抱行为的无触摸生殖器类型减少,触摸生殖器类型增加;成年个体的顺位越高,则接受拥抱越多,顺位提升会使个体接受拥抱的频次显著增加,顺位接近的个体拥抱发生频繁;拥抱发起的频次也与社会联系强度有正相关关系。本研究结果证实雄性短尾猴的拥抱行为具有表达顺位认知和增强社会联系的功能。
Social primates display affiliative behaviors like embracing which is also considered a reconciliatory behavior for repairing inter-individual relationships during post-conflict events. We studied embracing behavior in one group of Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Huangshan, Anhui Province. Our results showed that embracing in male Tibetan monkeys included three forms: embrace without touching genital (EWG), embrace with genital touching (ETG) and embrace with genital licking (EGL). Both EWG and ETG occurred more frequently than EGL. These three types of embracing behaviors mainly occurred in non-conflict contexts, but ETG occurred more often in the context of conflict. The frequency of EWG decreased but the frequency of ETG increased, with increased age of individuals. In adult males, embrace often occurred between individuals with similar social rank, the frequency of embrace acceptance was also positively correlated social rank. Higher ranked individuals received embraces more frequently. The frequency of embrace initiation was also positively correlated with their social bonds. Based on these results, we suggest that embracing behavior could reflect a self-recognition of social rank and it serves an important function of increasing social bonds among adult male Tibetan macaques.