Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mate selection, consortship formation, and reproductive tactics in adult female savanna baboons

  • Published:
Primates Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Mate selection is a proximate mechanism influencing the probability that two individuals will engage in reproductive activity. The degree to which mate selection by female savanna baboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis) affects consortship formation and the characteristics of males that they prefer to mate with were analyzed based upon a 19-month study in Kenya. Sexual solicitations by females had a positive impact on the probability that males would establish consort relationships. The most preferred mating partners were young, high ranking, newcomer males, but these same males did not have the highest mating success. Friendships between male and female baboons almost always developed subsequent to conception cycles. Female savanna baboon reproductive tactics appear to be based upon maximizing the probability that males will provide care for offspring.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altmann, J., 1974. Observational study of behavior: Sampling methods.Behaviour, 49: 227–267.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1980.Baboon Mothers and Infants. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————,G. Hausfater, &S. A. Altmann, 1988. Determinants of reproductive success in savannah baboons,Papio cynocephalus. In:Reproductive Success,T. H. Clutton-Brock (ed.), Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 403–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Altmann, S. A. &J. Altmann, 1979. Demographic constraints on behavior and social organzation. In:Primate Ecology and Human Origins,I. Bernstein &E. O. Smith (eds.), Garland, New York, pp. 47–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, C. M., 1983. Levels of social organization and male-female bonding in the genusPapio.Amer. J. Phys. Anthropol, 60: 15–22.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bateson, P., 1983. Optimal outbreeding. In:Mate Choice,P. Bateson (ed.), Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, pp. 257–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beach, F. A., 1976. Sexual attractivity, proceptivity, and receptivity in female mammals.Horm. Behav., 7: 105–138.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bercovitch, F. B., 1978. Mate selection and sexual selection in nonhuman primates.Calif. Anthropol, 8: 9–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1983. Time budgets and consortships in olive baboons (Papio anubis).Folia Primatol., 41: 180–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1985. Reproductive tactics in adult female and adult male olive baboons. Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of California, Los Angeles.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1986. Male rank and reproductive activity in savanna baboons.Int. J. Primatol., 7: 533–550.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1987a. Female weight and reproductive condition in a population of olive baboons (Papio anubis).Amer. J. Primatol., 12: 189–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1987b. Reproductive success in male savanna baboons.Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol., 21: 163–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1988. Coalitions, cooperation and reproductive tactics among adult male baboons.Anim. Behav., 36: 1198–1209.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1989. Body size, sperm competition, and determinants of reproductive success in male savanna baboons.Evolution, 43: 1507–1521.

    Google Scholar 

  • ----, 1990. Female choice, male reproductive success, and the origin of one male groups in baboons. In:Baboons: Behaviour and Ecology, Use and Care,M. Thiago de Mello, A. Whiten, & R. W. Byrne (eds.), Brasilia, Brazil, pp. 61–76.

  • ----,S. C. Strum, & R. S. O. Harding, 1991. Female reproductive strategies and annual birth patterns over a ten year period at Gilgil, Kenya. Submitted.

  • Blankenship, L. &S. Qvortrup, 1974. Resource management on a Kenya ranch.J. S. Afr. Wildl. Manag. Assoc., 4: 185–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Busse, C. &W. J. Hamilton, III, 1981. Infant carrying by male chacma baboons.Science, 212: 1281–1283.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byles, R. H., M. F. Sanders, G. M. Petersen, T. J. Olivier, F. B. Bercovitch, &E. Hunt. 1980. A-B-O blood groups in Kenya olive baboons (Papio anubis).Anim. Blood Grps. Biochem. Genet., 11: 245–249.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chapais, B., 1986. Why do adult male and female rhesus monkeys affiliate during the birth season? In:The Cayo Santiago Macaques,R. G. Rawlins &M. J. Kessler (eds.). SUNY Press, Albany, pp. 173–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins, D. A., 1981. Social behaviour and patterns of mating among adult yellow baboons (Papio c. cynocephalus L. 1776). Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Edinburgh, Edinburgh.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1986. Interactions between adult male and infant yellow baboons (Papio c. cynocephalus) in Tanzania.Anim. Behav., 34: 430–443.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cords, M., 1987. Forest guenons and patas monkeys: male-male competition in one-male groups. In:Primate Societies,B. B. Smuts,D. L. Cheney,R. M. Seyfarth,R. W. Wrangham, &T. T. Struhsaker (eds.), Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 98–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, C. R. &B. J. Le Boeuf, 1977. Female incitation of male competition: a mechanism in sexual selection.Amer. Naturalist, 111: 317–335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeVore, I., 1963. Mother-infant relations in free-ranging baboons. In:Maternal Behavior in Mammals,H. L. Rheingold (ed.), John Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 305–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunbar, R. I. M., 1979. Population demography, social organisation and mating strategies. In:Primate Ecology and Human Origins,I. Bernstein &E. O. Smith (eds.), Garland, New York, pp. 65–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1984.Reproductive Decisions. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Epple, G. &M. C. Alveario, 1986. Female choice and male fertility influence pair bonding in tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis).Prim. Rep., 14: 76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillman, J. &C. Gilbert, 1946. The reproductive cycle of the chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) with special reference to the problems of menstrual irregularities as assessed by the behaviour of the sex skin.S. Afr. J. Med. Sci., Suppl., 11: 1–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halliday, T. R., 1983. The study of mate choice. In:Mate Choice,P. Bateson (ed.), Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, pp. 3–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, R. S. O., 1976. Ranging patterns of a troop of baboons (Papio anubis) in Kenya.Folia Primatol., 25: 143–185.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hausfater, G., 1975.Dominance and Reproduction in Baboons (Papio cynocephalus):A Quantitative Analysis. Contributions to Primatology, Vol. 7, S. Karger, Basel.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———— &D. Takacs, 1987. Structure and function of hindquarter presentations in yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus).Ethology, 74: 297–319.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendrickx, A. G. &D. C. Kraemer, 1969. Observations on the menstrual cycle, optimal mating time and pre-implantation embryos of the baboon,Papio anubis andPapio cynocephalus.J. Reprod. Fert., Suppl., 6: 119–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———— & ————, 1971. Reproduction, In:Embryology of the Baboon,A. G. Hendrickx (ed.), Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 3–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, D. A., 1986. Social relationships between adult male and immature rhesus macaques.Primates, 27: 425–440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huffman, M. A., 1986. Mate choice and partner preference in female Japanese macaques.Prim. Rep., 14: 110.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1991. Mate selection and partner preferences in female Japanese macaques. In:The Monkeys of Arashiyama,L. M. Fedigan &P. J. Asquith (eds.), SUNY Press, Albany, pp. 101–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janson, C. H., 1984. Female choice and mating system of the brown capuchin monkeyCebus apella.Z. Tierpsychol., 65: 177–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, J. A., 1984. Social relationships of juvenile olive baboons. Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Edinburgh, Edinburgh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, C. B., 1985. Reproductive patterns in mantled howler monkeys: estrus, mate choice and copulation.Primates, 26: 130–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keddy, A. C., 1986. Female mate choice in vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus).Amer. J. Primatol., 10: 125–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manzolillo, D. L., 1982. Intertroop transfer by adult malePapio anubis. Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of California, Los Angeles.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maynard Smith, J., 1975.The Theory of Evolution (3rd. ed.). Penguin Books, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milton, K., 1985. Mating patterns of woolly spider monkeys,Brachyteles arachnoides: implications for female choice.Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol., 17: 53–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, J. &R. Ali, 1984. Are dispersal and inbreeding avoidance related?Anim. Behav., 32: 94–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicolson, N. A., 1982. Weaning and the development of independence in olive baboons. Ph.D. thesis, Harvard Univ., Cambridge, Massachusetts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Packer, C., 1979. Inter-troop transfer and inbreeding avoidance inPapio anubis.Anim. Behav., 27: 1–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1980. Male care and exploitation of infants inPapio anubis.Anim. Behav., 28: 512–520.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1985. Dispersal and inbreeding avoidance.Anim. Behav., 33: 676–678.

    Google Scholar 

  • Popp, J. L., 1978. Male baboons and evolutionary principles. Ph.D. thesis, Harvard Univ., Cambridge, Massachusetts.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1983. Ecological determinism in the life histories of baboons.Primates, 24: 198–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ransom, T. W., 1981.Beach Troop of the Gombe. Bucknell Univ. Press, Lewisburg.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———— &B. S. Ransom, 1971. Adult male-infant relations among baboons (Papio anubis).Folia Primatol., 16: 179–195.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen, K. L. R., 1980. Consort behaviour and mate selection in yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus). Ph.D. thesis, Cambridge Univ., Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1983a. Age-related variation in the interactions of adult females with adult males in yellow baboons. In:Primate Social Relationships,R. A. Hinde (ed.), Blackwell Scientific Publ., Oxford, pp. 47–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1983b. Influence of affiliative preferences upon the behaviour of male and female baboons during sexual consortships. In:Primate Social Relationships,R. A. Hinde (ed.), Blackwell Scientific Publ., Oxford, pp. 116–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowell, T. E., 1967. Female reproductive cycles and the behavior of baboons and rhesus macaques. In:Social Communication Among Primates,S. A. Altmann (ed.), Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 15–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schurmann, C. L. &J. A. R. A. M. van Hooff, 1986. Reproductive strategies of the orang-utan: new data and a reconsideration of existing sociosexual models.Int. J. Primatol., 7: 265–287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, L. M., 1984. Reproductive behavior of adolescent female baboons (Papio anubis) in Kenya. In:Female Primates Studies by Women Primatologists,M. F. Small (ed.), Alan R. Liss, New York, pp. 77–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seyfarth, R. M., 1978a. Social relationships among adult male and female baboons. I. Behaviour during sexual consortship.Behaviour, 64: 204–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1978b. Social relationships among adult male and female baboons. II. Behaviour throughout the female reproductive cycle.Behaviour, 64: 227–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, S., 1956.Nonparametric Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Small, M. F., 1989. Female choice in nonhuman primates.Yrbk. Phys. Anthropol, 32: 103–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, E. O. &P. L. Whitten, 1988. Triadic interactions in savanna-dwelling baboons.Int. J. Primatol., 9: 409–424.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smuts, B., 1982. Special relationships between adult male and female olive baboons (Papio anubis). Ph.D. thesis, Stanford Univ., Stanford.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1983. Special relationships between adult male and female olive baboons: selective advantages. In:Primate Social Relationships,R. A. Hinde (ed.), Blackwell Scientific Publ., Oxford, pp. 262–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1985.Sex and Friendship in baboons. Aldine, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1987. Sexual competition and mate choice. In:Primate Societies,B. B. Smuts,D. L. Cheney,R. M. Seyfarth,R. W. Wrangham, &T. T. Struhsaker (eds.), Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 385–399.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R. R. &F. J. Rohlf, 1981.Biometry, W. H. Freeman, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein, D. M., 1984a. Ontogeny of infant-adult male relationships during the first year of life for yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus). In:Primate Paternalism,D. M. Taub (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, pp. 213–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1984b.The Sociobiology of Infant and Adult Male Baboons. Ablex Publ. Co., Norwood, New Jersey.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———— &P. B. Stacey, 1981. A comparison of infant-adult male relations in a one-male group with those in a multi-male group for yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus).Folia Primatol., 36: 264–276.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strum, S. C., 1982. Agonistic dominance in male baboons: an alternative view.Int. J. Primatol., 3: 175–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1984. Why males use infants. In:Primate Paternalism,D. M. Taub (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, pp. 146–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • ————, 1987.Almost Human. Random House, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahata, Y., 1982. Social relations between adult males and females of Japanese monkeys in the Arashiyama B troop.Primates, 23: 1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taub, D. M., 1980. Female choice and mating strategies among wild Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus L.). In:The Macaques Studies in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution,D. G. Lindburg (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, pp. 287–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, H., J. Teas, T. Richie, C. Southwick, &R. Shrestha, 1978. Social interactions between adult male and infant rhesus monkeys in Nepal.Primates, 19: 343–351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tutin, C. E. G., 1979. Mating patterns and reproductive strategies in a community of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii).Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol., 6: 29–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wickler, W., 1967. Socio-sexual signals and their intra-specific imitation among primates. In:Primate Ethology,D. Morris (ed.), Doubleday, New York, pp. 89–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zar, J. H., 1974.Biostatistical Analysis. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, S., 1930. The menstrual cycle of the primates. Part I. General nature and homology.Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond., 1930: 691–754.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zumpe, D. &R. P. Michael. 1987. Relation between the dominance rank of female rhesus monkeys and their access to males.Amer. J. Primatol., 13: 155–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sabana Seca Field Station, Caribbean Primate Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, P. O. Box 1053, 00952, Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico, USA

    Fred B. Bercovitch

Authors
  1. Fred B. Bercovitch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

About this article

Cite this article

Bercovitch, F.B. Mate selection, consortship formation, and reproductive tactics in adult female savanna baboons. Primates 32, 437–452 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02381935

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02381935

Key Words

Search

Navigation