Female social behaviour during three male introductions in captive groups of rhesus macaques

Rox, Astrid; Vries, Han de; Louwerse, Annet L.; Sterck, Elisabeth H. M.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2018.07.006

Cited by 8 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The exact timing could differ between the introductions, based on the animals’ behaviour. Some aggression during introductions is normal, and aggression levels are often elevated at the start of male introductions [18]. In general, conflicts between animals are brief, and are necessary to confirm their position towards unfamiliar individuals.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All these variables were used to predict introduction success and whether a male obtained a long-term stable position in the group, called long-term stability in the remainder of this paper. An introduction was successful when the male remained in the group full-time for at least 4 weeks [18]. Whether the male obtained a long-term stable position was determined based on the removal of the male from the group.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The resident breeding male is generally removed from these groups before a new male is introduced. Still, similar to male immigration in the wild, male introductions into captive multi-female groups are associated with high aggression levels and stress [18–20]. Moreover, males may fail to enter a group, leading to unsuccessful introductions ([20], records BPRC).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, even after successful group entry a wild macaque male may not be able to obtain a long-term stable position in his new group [13,21]. Similarly, successful introductions may lead to socially instable groups in captivity [4,18,20] where some individuals need to be separated. Thus, not only a male’s ability to enter a group initially is crucial for introduction management, also a male’s ability to obtain a stable social position in the group is highly important.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Males may prefer new groups with a large number of females, as sexual attraction to females is the likely reason for males to migrate [16,29]. Yet female resistance may be larger in groups with more females, as female coalitions against new males may be larger [17,18,43]. Possibly, the males balance their preference for more females with the additional costs of increased female resistance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors determining male introduction success and long-term stability in captive rhesus macaques

et al. 2019

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The entrance of new males into non-human primate groups bears high social risk, yet migration is necessary to prevent inbreeding. Males are not always accepted in their new group. In the wild, males may increase the likelihood of successful group entry by choosing a new group based on their own and the group’s characteristics. Understanding whether these characteristics also determine a male’s ability to enter captive groups is crucial to improve introduction management. This study aims to identify which factors determine male introduction success (i.e. male stays in the group for at least 4 weeks) and long-term stability (i.e. the male does not cause considerable behavioural problems after success) after male introductions in captive groups of rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta ), creating one-male groups. We studied 64 male introductions at the breeding colony of the Biomedical Primate Research Centre in Rijswijk, The Netherlands. 49 (77%) introductions were successful, with the male obtaining a long-term stable social position in the group in 38 (59%) introductions. Introductions of males that reached at least prime age, into groups with more adult females, but without pregnant females were most successful. Moreover, long-term stability was highest when males were heavier, were at least 3.5 years old when they were first removed from their natal group, and groups had few matrilines and no pregnant females were present. Males should be introduced at the time they would naturally immigrate, when they are strongest. Moreover, groups should consist of few large matrilines, as observed in the wild, with philoatric females and males that are removed at natural age. Our study highlights the importance of composing naturalistic groups and mimicking natural migration patterns to maintain long-term stable breeding groups in captivity.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors determining male introduction success and long-term stability in captive rhesus macaques

et al. 2019

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Factors influencing the success of male introductions into groups of female rhesus macaques: Introduction technique, male characteristics and female behavior

Beisner

Remillard

Moss

et al. 2021

American J Primatol

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In captive populations of rhesus macaques, novel adult males are commonly introduced to female groups every few years to prevent inbreeding, which mimics male dispersal in wild macaque populations. However, introducing adult males is challenging because macaques are aggressive to newcomers, which can result in serious injuries. Efforts to reduce trauma risk during the introduction process and increase the probability of success are needed. Here we investigate the impact of multiple factors, including male attributes (e.g., age, weight, rank, and experience), introduction method (punctuated vs. continual exposure to females), and female behavior, on males' trauma risk and integration success. We studied eight introductions of multimale cohorts (3–7 males each; N = 36 total) into existing female groups of rhesus macaques at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. Four cohorts were introduced using the punctuated exposure method where adult males were moved each morning from run housing to the females' indoor enclosure and returned to run housing in the afternoon, and four cohorts were introduced using the continual exposure method where adult males were moved to an introduction enclosure attached to the females' outdoor compound, allowing males to live in protected contact next to the female group continuously. Generalized linear mixed models fitted to trauma risk (e.g., latency to first trauma; total trauma count) and success or failure to integrate (i.e., continual residence within the female group for greater than 53% of days within a 28‐day window after first overnight stay) showed that continual exposure to females in the introduction enclosure reduced male trauma risk and increased the likelihood of successful integration compared to punctuated exposure. Males received less trauma when they received a higher rate of grooming from females. Male attributes had no effect. These findings highlight the importance of introduction technique and female behavior in the process of males' social integration into female groups.

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Influence of female coalitionary aggressive behavior on the success of male introductions to female groups of rhesus macaques (Macaca Mulatta)

Bailey

Bloomsmith

Michopoulos

et al. 2021

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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Female social behaviour during three male introductions in captive groups of rhesus macaques

Cited by 8 publications

References 46 publications

Factors determining male introduction success and long-term stability in captive rhesus macaques

Factors determining male introduction success and long-term stability in captive rhesus macaques

Factors influencing the success of male introductions into groups of female rhesus macaques: Introduction technique, male characteristics and female behavior

Influence of female coalitionary aggressive behavior on the success of male introductions to female groups of rhesus macaques (Macaca Mulatta)

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