Socioecology of the red colobus monkey in The Gambia with particular reference to female-male differences and transfer patterns.
Item
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Title
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Socioecology of the red colobus monkey in The Gambia with particular reference to female-male differences and transfer patterns.
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Identifier
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AAI9207127
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identifier
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9207127
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Creator
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Starin, Erica Dawn.
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Contributor
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Adviser: John F. Oates
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Date
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1991
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Anthropology, Physical | Biology, Zoology | Biology, Ecology
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Abstract
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Temminck's red colobus (Procolobus badius temminckii) was the focus of this study, which took place from February 1978-September 1983 in the 107 ha relict forest patch of the Abuko Nature Reserve, The Gambia, West Africa.;I examine sexual differences in a population in which females generally transfer between troops, whereas males generally remain in their natal troop (except for an adolescent period of exile).;All ages and reproductive stages were represented by transferring females, but juveniles clearly predominated. Males, however, emigrated at a younger age than females. Female departures appeared to be voluntary and not the result of competition and aggression, but young males left because of aggression received while in the confines of their natal troop.;During the transfer process, females appeared to move immediately between troops while males spent months as solitaries looking for vacancies. Most males, however, returned to their natal troop when a vacancy occurred.;This population has more prominent female-female bonds than has been described in other populations in which females transfer. I argue that this is due to the fact that females transfer between troops with, or immediately after, their natal troop peers and maintain these relationships with each other in their chosen troop. In fact, attraction among female peers is likely to be an important factor determining the timing of transfer and eventual troop choice. Females who originally shared a common natal troop rarely use aggression against each other, groom each other more than other females, and form subunits which leave the troop for days at a time. Female-female aggression was mostly between those individuals who did not share a common natal troop. Male-male bonds are not as prominent in this population as they are in most other female-transfer populations.;A recurring theme is the importance of female peer transfer in the everyday interactions of the colobus in Abuko. I suggest that this practice fosters female bonding in what has traditionally been regarded as a non-female-bonded species. This is clearly at odds with previous ideas regarding female-transfer species in general and the bonding patterns of red colobus monkeys in particular. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.).
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
