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Postconflict Behavior Among Male Japanese Macaques

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Abstract

Reconciliation was first described more than 20 years ago. Since then, it has been observed in many mammals (mainly primates) but data on postconflict behavior among males are still scarce because they usually aggressively compete for mating partners, rarely maintain amicable relationships with one another. Accordingly, reconciliation is expected to occur at low rates. Although this is true for Japanese macaque males, the subspecies on Yakushima Island (Macaca fuscata yakui) seems to represent an exception as grooming among males occurs often. We analyzed postconflict behavior among them and discuss the possible factors that may favor the occurrence of grooming and reconciliation. Selective attraction between former opponents—reconciliation—occurred soon after conflicts. Consolation—affiliative interactions between a focal animal and group members other than the former opponents occurring earlier in PCs than in MCs—was absent among males. Conciliatory tendency is higher for Yakushima macaque males (0.31) versus that in studies on the other subspecies Macaca fuscata. We discuss differences in the behavioral ecology of the 2 subspecies, the ecological and social factors that may favor the occurrence of reconciliation, and the possible benefits that males gain from grooming exchange and reconciliation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological and Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom St.,, Liverpool, L3 3AF, England

    Bonaventura Majolo & Nicola Koyama

  2. Scottish Primate Research Group, School of Social and Health Sciences – Division of Psychology, University of Abertay Dundee, 158 Marketgait, DD1 1NJ, Dundee, Scotland

    Raffaella Ventura

  3. School of Biological and Earth Sciences, Liverpool, L3 3AF, England

    Bonaventura Majolo

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  1. Bonaventura Majolo
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  2. Raffaella Ventura
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Correspondence to Bonaventura Majolo.

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Majolo, B., Ventura, R. & Koyama, N. Postconflict Behavior Among Male Japanese Macaques. Int J Primatol 26, 321–336 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-005-2927-8

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