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.
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Andersson, A. B. (1969).Communication in the Lesser Bushbaby (Galago senegalensis moholi), Unpublished M.Sc.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.
Andrew, R. J. (1972). The information potentially available in mammal displays. In Hinde, R. A. (ed.),Non-verbal Communication, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Angst, W. (1974). Das ausdruckverhalten der JavaneraffenMacaca fasicularis (Raffler 1821).Advances in Ethology 15, Paul Parey Press, Berlin.
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.
Bell, D. J. (1980). Social olfaction in lagomorphs.Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 145: 141–164.
Bertrand, M. (1969). The behavioral repertoire of the stumptailed macaque. InBibliotheca Primatologica No. 11, S. Karger, Basel.
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of the Dwarf Bushbaby, Galago demidovii, Under Semi-Natural Conditions, with an Emphasis on Reproductive Behaviour, Unpublished M.Sc.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.
Charles-Dominique, P. (1974). Aggression and territoriality in nocturnal primates. In Holloway, R. L. (ed.),Primate Aggression, Territoriality and Xenophobia, Academic Press, New York.
Charles-Dominique, P. (1977a).Ecology and Behaviour of Nocturnal Primates, Gerald Duck-worth, London.
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.
Clark, A. B. (1975).Olfactory Communication by Scent Marking in a Prosimian Primates, Galago crassicaudatus, Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Chicago, Chicago.
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.
Coss, R. (1972).Eye-like Schemata: Their Effect on Behaviour, Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Reading, Reading.
Doyle, G. A., and Martin, R. D. (eds.) (1979).The Study of Prosimian Behavior. Academic Press, New York.
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.
Feddersen, D. (1978).Ausdrucksverhalten und soziale Organization bei Goldschaukalen, Zwerpudeln und deren Gefangenschaftsbastarden, Unpublished doctoral thesis, Hanover University for Veterinary Medicine, Hanover.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Leyhausen, P. (1979).Cat Behavior: The Predatory and Social Behavior of Domestic Cats, Garland STPM Press, New York.
Martin, R. D., Doyle, G. A., and Walker, A. C. (eds.), (1974).Prosimian Biology, Gerald Duck-worth, London.
Moynihan, M. (1964). Some behavior patterns of platyrrhine monkeys. 1. The night monkey (Aotus trivirgatus).Smithson. Misc. Collect. 146: 1–84.
Papenfus, E. A. (1979).Social Behaviour, Home Range and Dispersion in Galago senegalensis moholi, Unpublished M.Sc. dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
Rathbun, C. D. (1979). Description and analysis of the arch display in the golden lion tamarin,Leontopithecus rosalia rosalia.Folia primatol. 32: 125–148.
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.
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.
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.
Scaife, M. (1974).The Response of Animals to Eyes and Eye-like Patterns, Unpublished M.Sc. dissertation, University of Oxford, Oxford.
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.
Shirek-Ellefson, J. (1967).Visual Communication in Macaca irus. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of California, Berkeley.
Tembrock, G. (1982).Spezielle Verhaltensbiologie, Band 1 und 11, Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart.
Walther, F. R. (1984).Communication and Expression in Hoofed Animals, Animal Communication Series, Indiana University Press, Bloomington.
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.
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.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights 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
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02735745