Embracing in a female-bonded monkey species (Theropithecus gelada).

Abstract

In several primate species, including humans, embracing predicts the level of affiliation between subjects. To explore the functional meaning of embracing we selected Theropithecus gelada as a model species. The basic level of gelada society is the one-male unit and the integrity of the group is maintained by the strong bonds between females. In our study group, we observed three different kinds of embracing: the Frontal and Side Embraces involving a face-to-face and chest-to-chest interaction and the Posterior Embrace which consists in putting the arms around conspecifics' back and posing a cheek on it. We verified whether the quality of relationships between subjects predicts the type of embracing. Frontal and Side Embraces were more frequent between females sharing strong bonds. Posterior Embracing was randomly distributed. We found a high level of female embracing among the mothers during the first months of lactation. This may improve female cohesiveness against males thus limiting the risk of infanticide, particularly high in geladas. Embracing seems also to act as an ice-breaker favoring grooming. In conclusion, female embracing could be an affiliative strategy which has evolved to maintain group integrity and high social cohesion among females, especially mothers, who mostly need it.

Let’s unite in play! Play modality and group membership in wild geladas

“…In geladas both males and females have important social roles in maintaining tolerance, group integrity and cohesion (Palagi et al, 2018;Pallante et al, 2016;Pallante et al, 2019), for this reason they need to test their own social competence by playing with others independently from their sex.…”

Bridging Captive and Wild Studies: Behavioral Plasticity and Social Complexity in Theropithecus gelada

“…Immediately after such appeasement interactions, the potential aggressor calms down and starts to exchange grooming with the "peacemaker" (Pallante and Palagi, anecdotal observation in captivity). In geladas', calming behaviors can be offered also after the end of the conflict in the so-called unsolicited third-party post-conflict affiliation [42]. Pre-and post-conflict interventions are not randomly distributed, but individuals selectively offer support or affiliative contacts to specific subjects and under particular circumstances.…”

Differential effects of multiplex and uniplex affiliative relationships on biomarkers of inflammation

“…Here we used social network analysis to explore whether behavioral diversity within a relationship can allow for understanding of the potential function of those relationships and their impact on health-related outcomes. Affiliation in primates takes many forms, including grooming, huddling, proximity, embracing, and less commonly coalitionary support [43][44][45] . In macaques, grooming is commonly used to indicate the presence of an affiliative relationship 41,46 .…”

“…We use rhesus macaques as a group-living, nonhuman primate (NHP) model because their social relationships are highly differentiated, exhibit a high degree of complexity and individual variability, and have been linked to a variety of health and fitness outcomes [30][31][32][33] . Affiliation in rhesus macaques, as in many primate species takes many forms, including grooming, contact sitting, proximity, embracing, and less commonly coalitionary support [34][35][36] . In macaques, grooming is commonly used to indicate the presence of an affiliative relationship 37,38 .…”