Skip to main content
Log in

An experimental analysis of social interaction in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus jacchus)

  • Published:
International Journal of Primatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

Adult and juvenile common marmosets were introduced to unfamiliar conspecifics individually and in whole groups. In introductions using animals of the same sex, adults were mutually hostile unless they were related or socially familiar; juveniles behaved submissively to adults and little aggression was observed between juveniles. In introductions using animals of the opposite sex, males of all ages solicited females but females did not reciprocate. When whole groups were introduced, in two experiments most of the elder group members behaved aggressively and younger animals did not interact frequently; but in a third experiment, in which the adult males were related, little aggression was observed and younger animals behaved amicably. It is argued that the behavioral reactions shown by individual marmosets are related to territorial hostility and that the behavior of juveniles to adults may aid assimilation of younger animals into new groups.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Angst, W. (1975). Basic data and the concepts of social organisation ofMacaca fascicularis. In Rosenblum, L. A. (ed.),Primate Behavior: Developments in Field and Laboratory Research, Vol. 4, Academic Press, London, pp. 325–388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, I. S. (1970). Primate status hierarchies. In Rosenblum, L. A. (ed.),Primate Behavior: Developments in Field and Laboratory Research, Vol. 1, Academic Press, London, pp. 71–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, I. S., Gordon, T. P., and Rose, R. M. (1974). Factors influencing the expression of aggression during introductions to rhesus monkey groups. In Holloway, J. P. (ed.),Primate Aggression, Territoriality and Xenophobia, Academic Press, London, pp. 221–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Box, H. O. (1975). Quantitative studies of behaviour within captive groups of marmoset monkeysCallithrix jacchus.Primates 6: 55–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chivers, J. D. (1975). The siamang in Malaya.Contributions to Primatology, No. 4, Karger, Basel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, G. A. (1978). Composition and stability of social groups of the tamarinSaguinus o. geoffroyi in Panama. In Kleiman, D. G. (ed.),The Biology and Conservation of the Callitrichidae, Smithsonian Press, Washington, D.C., pp. 23–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellefson, J. O. (1968). Territorial behavior in the common white-handed gibbon,Hylobates lar. In Jay, P. C. (ed.),Primates: Studies in Adaptation and Variability, Holt, Reinhart and Winston, New York, pp. 180–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Epple, G. (1967). Vergleichende Untersuchungen über der Sexual- und Sozialverhalten der Krallenaffen (Hapalidae).Filia primatol. 7: 37–65.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Epple, G. (1968). Comparative studies on vocalisation in marmoset monkeys (Hapalidae).Folia primatol. 8: 1–40.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Epple, G. (1970). Quantitative studies on scent marking in the marmosetCallithrix jacchus.Folia primatol. 13: 48–62.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Epple, G. (1975). The behavior of marmoset monkeys (Callitrichidae). In Rosenblum, L. A. (ed.),Primate Behavior: Developments in Field and Laboratory Research, Vol. 4, Academic Press, London, pp. 195–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hausfater, G. (1972). Intergroup behavior of the free ranging rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).Folia primatol. 18: 78–107.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hearn, J. (1978). The endocrinology of reproduction in the common marmosetCallithrix jacchus jacchus. In Kleiman, D. G. (ed.).The Biology and Conservation of the Callitrichidae. Smithsonian Press, Washington, D.C., pp. 163–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingram, J. C. (1975).Parent-Infant Interaction in the Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)and the Development of Young, Ph.D. thesis, University of Bristol, Bristol.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kleiman, D. G. (1977). Monogamy in mammals.Q. Rev. Biol. 52: 1–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mason, W. A. (1968). Use of space inCallicebus groups. In Jay, P. C. (ed.).Primates: Studies in Adaptation and Variability, Holt, Reinhart and Winston, New York, pp. 200–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, W. A. (1973). Field and laboratory studies of social organization inSaimiri andCallicebus. In Rosenblum, L. A. (ed.).Primate Behavior: Developments in Field and Laboratory Research, Vol. 2, Academic Press, London, pp. 110–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, W. A. (1974). Comparative studies of social behavior inCallicebus andSaimiri: Behavior of male-female pairs.Folia primatol. 22: 1–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neyman, P. F. (1978). Aspects of ecology and social organisation of free-ranging cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus o. oedipus) and the conservation status of the species. In Kleiman, D. G. (ed.),The Biology and Conservation of the Callitrichidae, Smithsonian Press, Washington, D.C., pp. 39–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Packer, C. (1979). Intertroop transfer and inbreeding avoidance inPapio anubis.Anim. Behav. 27: 1–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poole, T. B. (1973). Aggressive behaviour of individual male polecats towards familiar and unfamiliar opponents.J. Zool. 170: 395–414.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poole, T. B., and Morgan, H. D. R. (1975). Aggressive behaviour of male mice towards familiar and unfamiliar opponents.Anim. Behav. 23: 480–485.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poole, T. B., Stevenson, M. F., and Sutcliffe, A. G. (1978).Callithrix jacchus jacchus as a subject for behaviour projects in biomedical research.Prim. Med. 10: 232–238.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rothe, H. (1975). Some aspects of sexuality and reproduction in groups of captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus).Z. Tierpsychol. 37: 255–273.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rowell, T. E. (1974). The concept of social dominance.Behav. Biol. 11: 131–154.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, S. (1956).Non-parametric Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Southwick, C. H. (1956). An experimental study of intergroup agonistic behaviour in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).Behaviour 28: 183–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, M. F. (1976). Maintenance and breeding of the common marmoset with notes on hand rearing.Int. Zoo Yrbk. 16: 110–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, M. F. (1984). The marmoset monkeys: GenusCalithrix. In Coimbra-Filho, A. F., and Mittermeier, R. A. (eds.).Ecology and Behavior of Neotropical Primates, Vol. 2, Academia Brasileria de CiÊncias, Rio de Janiero (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, M. F., and Poole, T. B. (1976). An ethogram of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus jacchus): General behavioural repertoire.Anim. Behav. 24: 428–451.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sutcliffe, A. G., and Poole, T. B. (1984). Intragroup agonistic behaviour in captive groups of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus jacchus).Int. J. Primatol. 5: 473–489.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vessey, S. H. (1971). Free-ranging rhesus monkeys: Behavioural effects of removal, separation and re-introduction of group members.Behaviour 40: 216–227.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sutcliffe, A.G., Poole, T.B. An experimental analysis of social interaction in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus jacchus). Int J Primatol 5, 591–607 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02692286

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02692286

Key words

Navigation