Dominance hierarchy for one-male units in a group of provisioned black-and-white monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti)

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  • Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation, China West Normal University

Online published: 2017-10-24

Abstract

Dominance hierarchies are the result of long-time evolution for group living primates, and were widely noticed by researchers of animal behavioral ecology. By forming dominance hierarchies between individuals and one male units (OMUs), animal more efficiently use natural resources, avoid excess casualties, protect infants and weak individuals, and adapt to the complex ecological environment. We studied the dominance hierarchy for OMUswithin a group of provisioned Rhinopithecus bieti in Baimaxueshan National Nature Reserve via focus animal sampling from June 2013 to January 2014. We analyzed aggressive-submissive behaviors and feeding superiorities among six OMUs. The results shown that the rank order for each OMU is lineal, which DGZ> DB >HL > LHG >PG > HC (unit name). Males initiated the aggressive behaviors more frequently than did females. The feeding frequency and the order of feeding sequence were significantly associated with the dominance hierarchy among OMUs for the provisioned group. However, there was no significant correlation with each unit’s total feeding time. This study also suggested that OMUs’ dominance hierarchy was related to the number of females in an OMU. The results conform with the aggressive-submissive hypothesis and dominate resources-female higher-hierarchy preferences hypothesis.

Cite this article

XIA Wancai, HU Jie, RRN Baoping, HE Xinming, KUANG Peigang, ZHONG Tai, LI Dayong . Dominance hierarchy for one-male units in a group of provisioned black-and-white monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti)[J]. ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA, 2017 , 37(4) : 371 -378 . DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.201704007

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