Social relationships between adult females and the alpha male in wild tufted capuchin monkeys

Abstract

Primates are notable for the widespread presence of long-term female-male associations which go beyond the mating context. However, little attention has been given to the factors that affect within-species variation in female-male relationships, especially among New World primates. Although detailed accounts of heterosexual relationships in Cebus species are scarce, a few studies have suggested the occurrence of strong associations between adult females and high-ranking males. This study explores affiliative relationships between females and the alpha male during the nonbreeding season in wild tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella nigritus). Affiliative relationships were explored through female-male patterns of spatial proximity and grooming. By adopting a social network approach, we analyzed: (1) whether the alpha male is the preferred male partner for females and, (2) whether variation (if any) in female-alpha male affiliation can be explained through both female individual characteristics and social network metrics. Our results showed that alpha males were the favorite male partner for adult females in the proximity networks, but this did not hold true in the grooming networks. In addition, female-alpha male interaction patterns showed considerable variation, with only some females being strongly associated with the alpha male. Our results suggest that such a variation can be explained by female dominance rank, level of centrality (the quantity and intensity of spatial connection with other females) and prestige (the quantity of grooming received by other females) in female-female social networks. Taken together, these findings highlight two aspects of female-alpha male relationships in tufted capuchin monkeys: the alpha male represents the most socially integrated male in the group, and females with high dominance ranks and high centrality in both proximity and grooming networks show stronger relationships with the alpha male.

Competence and the Evolutionary Origins of Status and Power in Humans

“…Significantly, those five males consistently supported adult females against lower-ranking males, and all adult females benefited from such support (Chapais 1986). As another example, Tiddi et al (2011) found that in wild tufted capuchin monkeys, the alpha male was "the most socially integrated male in the group" and the favorite social partner of high-ranking adult females in proximity networks. In their review of the literature on relationships between adult females and alpha males in that species, Tiddi et al (2011) describe results showing that females associated with, and preferentially groomed, the alpha male; that the alpha male was the most frequent provider of support; and that he directed tolerance, food sharing, and protection toward his potential offspring.…”

“…As another example, Tiddi et al (2011) found that in wild tufted capuchin monkeys, the alpha male was "the most socially integrated male in the group" and the favorite social partner of high-ranking adult females in proximity networks. In their review of the literature on relationships between adult females and alpha males in that species, Tiddi et al (2011) describe results showing that females associated with, and preferentially groomed, the alpha male; that the alpha male was the most frequent provider of support; and that he directed tolerance, food sharing, and protection toward his potential offspring. They concluded that "females may benefit from associating with alpha males by increasing the probability of support during conflicts, by gaining access to food resources, and by decreasing the risk of infanticide" (2011:813).…”

Female behavioral proceptivity functions as a probabilistic signal of fertility, not female quality, in a New World primate

“…Black capuchins (S. nigritus) live in stable multimale-multifemale groups of 7 to 44 individuals, characterized by female philopatry and male dispersal (Janson et al, 2012). Alpha males are both socially and spatially central in the group, maintaining feeding and mating priority (Janson, 1984(Janson, , 1990Tiddi et al, 2011Tiddi et al, , 2012. Black capuchin females at the study site can be sexually receptive throughout the year, but show high seasonality in reproduction, with proceptive displays and mating activity occurring mainly between May and early September (Janson et al, 2012).…”

Social and Spatial Relationships of Capybaras in a Semi-confined Production System

“…Social proximity can help de fi ne the social status of individuals because it results from individual tendencies to approach or avoid conspeci fi cs, thereby allowing the description of a network of social relationships within a group (Tiddi et al 2011 ) .…”