The elephant-shrews or sengis (order Macroscelidea) represent a monophyletic radiation endemic to Africa with 15 extant species in four genera. Field studies of representatives from all four genera indicate that all are socially monogamous. Resource and female dispersion, indirect paternal investment and male mate guarding have been proposed as factors contributing to sengi monogamy. To better understand sengi social organization, we studied the behavioural ecology of the bushveld sengi Elephantulus intufi in Namibia. Radio-tags and direct observation were used to gather spatial and behavioural data during 5 months in [2000][2001][2002]. Bushveld sengis were distributed as monogamous pairs on exclusive territories, similar to other sengis. Maternal care was characterized by an 'absentee' strategy and there was no evidence of direct or indirect paternal care. Sengis share many life-history traits with small antelopes, including uni-parental monogamy. Unlike the antelopes, which exhibit strong pair bonds, bushveld sengi pairs spend little time in coordinated activities. Male mate guarding best explains why sengis are socially monogamous -a model largely developed from studies of small antelopes. The similarity in morphology, life history and behaviour among sengi species results in a distinctive adaptive syndrome, which explains the consistency of their social structure, even in the extremes of terrestrial habitats that they occupy. The degree of sengi social monogamy is labile, which is related to their weak pair bond, same-sex aggression and variable densities.

Three different arch displays are described in captive lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia rosalia) at the National Zoological Park. Analysis of social behaviours including huddling, sexual activity, territorial encounters and arch displays suggests that arch displaying is motivated by conflicting tendencies of a nonaggressive nature and may function as a regulator of social contact, thus maintaining homeostasis within and between a social group.

The noki or dassie-rat (Petromus typicus) is a little-studied diurnal hystricognath rodent endemic to rocky outcrops in south-western Africa. An intermittent study in Namibia of 11 radio-tagged individuals, with over 250 h of direct observation, was done between 2000 and 2004 to document their basic natural history, including their social organization. The study was terminated when noki numbers collapsed, probably due to predation by an expanding population of black mongooses (Galerella nigrata) that was unintentionally provisioned with food at a nearby eco-tourist lodge. Male and female adults were distributed as monogamous pairs on home ranges that were similar in size and shape. The pair bond was strong, with many coordinated behaviours. Reproduction was seasonal with litters of single highly precocial young. Multiple generations remained on the parental home range without significant aggression. Most aggression was between adult males, while adult females showed tolerance towards each other and intruding adult males. Although noki social monogamy is probably the result of male mate guarding, considerable paternal care was observed, including allogrooming and vigilance against predators. Nokis have a relatively low metabolic rate and numerous thermoregulatory behaviours that suggest that nocturnal huddling by the male with his mate and young may be an important factor in the evolution of their social monogamy.

The Namib Desert golden mole (Eremitalpa granti namibensis) is morphologically, physiologically and behaviourally specialized for living in the harsh loose‐sand desert. Ecological studies have relied on visually tracking animals on the surface of sand dunes. A radio tag would allow individuals to be more reliably located, even while under the sand. We developed a radio attachment and gathered preliminary data on winter habitat use by six individuals during 21 days. We compare data from previous studies and suggest that the greater diurnal activity, smaller home ranges, and more restricted movement patterns that we found are related to the unusual thermal and metabolic biology of Eremitalpa.

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