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Journal of Ethology

, Volume 29, Issue 1, pp 181–185 | Cite as

Do wild brown lemurs reconcile? Not always

  • Ivan Norscia
  • Elisabetta Palagi
Short Communication
First Online:

Abstract

Post-conflict behaviour has been widely investigated in anthropoid primates but not extensively in prosimians. Here, we report the reconciliation pattern of a 14-individual group of wild brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus) in the Berenty gallery forest (South Madagascar). We found that reconciliation occurs only in the non-feeding context and that it works in reducing the risk of renewed aggression. Thus, reconciliation would provide an immediate positive feedback that is probably independent of the quality of the relationship between opponents. Reconciliation may also be a hic-et-nunc mechanism, needed to avoid conflict spreading across group members, possibly leading to social disruption.

Keywords

Post-conflict behaviour Renewed aggression Feeding context Madagascar Eulemur fulvus Prosimian 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

We thank the De Heaulmes for hospitality at Berenty; Giardino Zoologico di Pistoia, Parco Zoo Falconara, and Parco Zoo Punta Verde for funding; and Chandra Brondi, Stefania Dall’Olio, Valentina Sclafani and Carpineto for field assistance.

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Copyright information

© Japan Ethological Society and Springer 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Museo di Storia Naturale e del TerritorioUniversità di PisaCalci (PI)Italy
  2. 2.Unit of Cognitive Primatology and Primate CenterInstitute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies CNRRomeItaly

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