Moscow University
Anthropology
Bulletin
Anthropology
Bulletin
FSBSI «Scientific Research Institute of Medical Primatology», Sochi
Pachuliya I.G., e-mail: irma-1983@mail.ru; Chalyan V.G., e-mail: vg_chalyan@mail.ru; Meishvili N.G., e-mail: natela_prim@list.ru
Introduction. The results of the study of hamadryas baboons’ aggressive behavior as a component of species-specific spectrum of their social behavior are considered in the context of conflict pairs’ membership as well as gender and age characteristics of conflicting pairs and their social status. Materials and methods. The investigation was carried out on hamadryas baboons kept in the colony of the Institute of Medical Primatology, RAMS. The observation was performed in 2007-2009. The group considered as a «band», included seven one-male units or harems combined in two clans together with the bachelor males. To establish the influence of conflict participants on their structure all the participant of conflicts were divided into 5 categories according to their age and sex: adult males having their own harems, 2) old males who lost their harem, 3) sub-adult males 5-7 years old, 4) adult females, 5) sub-adults and infants of both sexes. Results and discussion. The results of the three-years-study of the structure of aggressive behavior in hamadryas baboons kept in coral conditions in the monkey colony at the Institute of Medical Primatology, RAMS, are presented. The results show that the most aggressive part of the community, which accounted for 80% of aggressive manifestations in the group, included sexually mature adult males. Females accounted only for 21% of aggressive behavior; the sub-adults and infants never showed aggression towards the adult individuals, both females and males. The adult males having their own harems and a high status in the group hierarchy acted as aggressors only in 60% of aggressive relationships. Such a proportion in the number of cases in which individuals of different age and sex display aggressive behavior, reflects first of all one of the most impressive characteristics of hamadryas baboons’ society – the hierarchy in their social organization and relations. Soft forms of aggression in the behavior of all categories of animals (threat, attack, chase and thrusts) were predominating over a dangerous hard aggression (hitting, biting, and fighting). The form and frequency of aggressive manifestations were strictly related to the characteristics of relationships between the aggressor and the victim and also with sex, age and social position of the victim. Conclusion. The investigation allows estimating the role of aggression in the functioning of the social organization of these monkeys. It was shown that the form, structure and the direction of conflicts are strictly organized according to the hierarchical status, as well as the gender and structural characteristics of conflict participants.
hamadryas baboons, form of aggression, hierarchy, males, females
Цит.: Pachuliya I.G., Chalyan V.G., Meishvili N.G. The structure of aggression in hamadryas baboons // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2012; 1/2012; с. 54-62
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