Skip to main content
Log in

Classical heinrothian intimidation displays exhibited byGalago demidoff demidoff: A paradigm for pinpointing galagine species diversity

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

Abstract

The existence of rhythmic micturation displays among bushbabies is well established but the function of such behavior has been a source of dispute, due largely to indiscriminate lumping of different kinds of phenomena. In this paper classical ethological evaluation of the rhythmic micturation intimidation displays regularly exhibited by dominant adult Galago demidoff demidoffallows comparison with other varieties of intra- /interspecific displaying and agression. These include (1) pure offensive behavior shared by both sexes; (2) defensively toned, antiintruder/antipredator displaying; (3) male- male rank demonstration confrontations; and (4) dominant- female, emotionally neutral self- advertising. The dominant- male, offensively toned displays couple the functions of rival intimidation and partner attraction; they vary between different species of bushbaby, and they represent an important taxonomic tool.

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

  • Andersson, A. B. (1969).Communication in the Lesser Bushbaby (Galago senegalensis moholi), Unpublished M.Sc. dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrew, R. J. (1972). The information potentially available in mammal displays. In Hinde, R. A. (ed.),Non-verbal Communication, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Angst, W. (1974). Das ausdruckverhalten der JavaneraffenMacaca fasicularis (Raffler 1821).Advances in Ethology 15, Paul Parey Press, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bearder, S. K., and Pitts, R. S. (1987). Prosimians and tree shrews. In Poole, T. (ed.),The UFA W Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory Animals, Longman Scientific and Technical Press, Essex.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, D. J. (1980). Social olfaction in lagomorphs.Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 145: 141–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertrand, M. (1969). The behavioral repertoire of the stumptailed macaque. InBibliotheca Primatologica No. 11, S. Karger, Basel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brand, H. M. (1977).The Behaviour of the Dwarf Bushbaby, Galago demidovii, Under Semi-Natural Conditions, with an Emphasis on Reproductive Behaviour, Unpublished M.Sc. dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charles-Dominique, P. (1974). Aggression and territoriality in nocturnal primates. In Holloway, R. L. (ed.),Primate Aggression, Territoriality and Xenophobia, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charles-Dominique, P. (1977a).Ecology and Behaviour of Nocturnal Primates, Gerald Duck-worth, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charles-Dominique, P. (1977b). Urine-making and territoriality inGalago alleni (Waterhouse 1837, Primates, Lorisoidea): A field study by radio-tracking.Z. Tierpsychol. 43: 113–148.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, A. B. (1975).Olfactory Communication by Scent Marking in a Prosimian Primates, Galago crassicaudatus, Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Chicago, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colmenares, F., and Rivero, H. (1983). Displays occurring during conflict situations convey chemical and visual messages in bears living under captive conditions.Acta. Zool. Fenn. 174: 145–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coss, R. (1972).Eye-like Schemata: Their Effect on Behaviour, Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Reading, Reading.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doyle, G. A., and Martin, R. D. (eds.) (1979).The Study of Prosimian Behavior. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisentraut, M. (1973). Die Wirbeltierfauna von Fernando Poo und Westkamerun: unter beson-dere Berucksichtigung der Bedeutung der pleistozanen Klimaschwankungen dur der heutige Faunenverteilung. InBonner Zoologischer Forsschungsinstitut und Museum, Alexander Konig, Bonn.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feddersen, D. (1978).Ausdrucksverhalten und soziale Organization bei Goldschaukalen, Zwerpudeln und deren Gefangenschaftsbastarden, Unpublished doctoral thesis, Hanover University for Veterinary Medicine, Hanover.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glatston, A. R. H. (1979).Reproduction and Behaviour of the Lesser Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinusMiller, 1777) in Captivity, Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University College, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, H. (1978).Unterschungen zum Verhaltensrepertoire des Senegal galagos (Galago senegalensis)unter besonderer Berucksichtigung der Zeitverteilung des Markierern, Unpublished M.Sci. diploma, Free University of Berlin, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinroth, O. (1911). Beitrage zur biologie, namentlich ethologie und physiologie der anatiden.Verh. 5 Int. Orn. Kong. 589–702.

  • Huntingford, F. A. (1976). The relationships between inter- and intra-specific aggression.Anim. Behav. 24: 485–497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutson, G. D. (1982). An analysis of offensive and defensive threat displays inDasyuroides byrnei (Dasyuroidae, Marsupalia. In Archer, M. (ed.),Carnivorous Marsupials, Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales.

  • Ilse, D. R. (1955). Olfactory marking of territory in two young male loris,Loris tardigradus lydekkerianus, kept in captivity in Poona.Br. J. Anim. Behav. 3: 118–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jordaan, R. H. (1976). Threat behavior of the black bear (Ursus americanus). In Pelton, M. R., Lentfer, J. W., and Folk, G. E. (eds.),Bears: their Biology and Management, IUCN Publication Series No. 40, Morges, Switzerland.

  • Koontz, F. W. (1984).Sternal Gland Scent Communication in the Rufous Elephant Shrew, Ele- phantulus refuscens,with Additional Observations on Behavior and Reproduction in Captivity, Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Maryland, College Park.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leyhausen, P. (1979).Cat Behavior: The Predatory and Social Behavior of Domestic Cats, Garland STPM Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, R. D., Doyle, G. A., and Walker, A. C. (eds.), (1974).Prosimian Biology, Gerald Duck-worth, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moynihan, M. (1964). Some behavior patterns of platyrrhine monkeys. 1. The night monkey (Aotus trivirgatus).Smithson. Misc. Collect. 146: 1–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Papenfus, E. A. (1979).Social Behaviour, Home Range and Dispersion in Galago senegalensis moholi, Unpublished M.Sc. dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rathbun, C. D. (1979). Description and analysis of the arch display in the golden lion tamarin,Leontopithecus rosalia rosalia.Folia primatol. 32: 125–148.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roonwal, M. L. (1984). Tail form and carriage in Asian and other primates, and their behavioural and evolutionary significance. In Roonwal, M. L., Mohnot, S. M., and Rathore, N. S. (eds.),Current Primate Researchers, University of Jodpur Press, Jodpur.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothe, H. (1979).Das Ethogramm von Callithrax jacchusErxleben, 1777 (Primates, Ceboidea, Callitrichidae): eine morphaktische Analyse des Verhaltens mit besonderer Berucksichtigung des sozialen Umfeldes, Unpublished Habilitationschrift, University of Goettingen, Goettingen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sauer, E. G. F., and Sauer, E. M. (1963). The South-West African bush-baby of theGalago senegalensis group.J. S. W. Afr. Sci. Soc. 16: 5–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scaife, M. (1974).The Response of Animals to Eyes and Eye-like Patterns, Unpublished M.Sc. dissertation, University of Oxford, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, H. (1973).Die Bedeutung des Hammarkierens fur die raumliche Orientierung bei Galago senegalensisE. Geoffroy 1796 und Galago demidoviiFischer 1808 (Galagidae, Prosimii), Unpublished doctoral thesis, Eberhard-Karls-University, Tubingen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shirek-Ellefson, J. (1967).Visual Communication in Macaca irus. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of California, Berkeley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tembrock, G. (1982).Spezielle Verhaltensbiologie, Band 1 und 11, Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walther, F. R. (1984).Communication and Expression in Hoofed Animals, Animal Communication Series, Indiana University Press, Bloomington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wemmer, CM. (1977). Comparative ethology of the large-spotted genet (Genetta tigrina) and some related viverrids.Smithson. Contrib. Zool. 239, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wemmer, C. M., and Wilson, D. E. (1983). Structure and function of hair crests and capes in African carnivora. In Eisenberg, J. F., and Kleiman, D. G. (eds.),Advances in the Study of Mammalian Behavior, Special Publication No. 7, The American Society of Mammalogists, Shippensburg.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pitts, R.S. Classical heinrothian intimidation displays exhibited byGalago demidoff demidoff: A paradigm for pinpointing galagine species diversity. Int J Primatol 9, 529–556 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02735745

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02735745

Key Words

Navigation