Abstract: 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.

Key words: Dominance hierarchy stability, Female, Frequency, Hierarchical steepness, Social ranks, Tibetan macaques(Macaca thibetana)

摘要： 等级结构稳定性是衡量群体凝聚力的重要指标,雌性等级结构稳定对于母系社会群体具有重要的生物学意义。本文采用目标动物取样和全事件记录相结合的方法,研究黄山短尾猴鱼鳞坑A1 群(YA1 群)和鱼鳞坑A2 群(YA2 群)的成年雌性分别在交配季节(2011 年9 ～ 12 月)和非交配季节(2012 年2 ～ 5 月)内的攻击-屈服行为。采用等级结构中雌性间攻击- 屈服频率、社会顺位和等级梯度3 个量化指标,首次定量探讨了短尾猴雌性等级结构及其稳定性。研究期间,YA1 群和YA2 群雌性间攻击- 屈服频率、社会顺位和等级梯度均无季节性变化(P >0. 05)。结果表征短尾猴雌性等级结构趋于稳定,该结果支持了短尾猴雌性等级结构稳定性的定性判断。

关键词: 短尾猴, 雌性, 等级结构稳定性, 频率, 社会顺位, 等级梯度