On the neglected behavioural variation among neighbouring primate groups

Détails

Ressource 1Télécharger: vandeWaal-accepted ms-Ethology 2018.pdf (1186.48 [Ko])
Etat: Public
Version: Author's accepted manuscript
Licence: Tous droits réservés
ID Serval
serval:BIB_6CDEE9F30E6C
Type
Article: article d'un périodique ou d'un magazine.
Sous-type
Synthèse (review): revue aussi complète que possible des connaissances sur un sujet, rédigée à partir de l'analyse exhaustive des travaux publiés.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Titre
On the neglected behavioural variation among neighbouring primate groups
Périodique
Ethology
Auteur⸱e⸱s
van de Waal E.
ISSN
1439-0310
ISSN-L
0179-1613
Statut éditorial
Publié
Date de publication
2018
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
124
Numéro
12
Pages
845-854
Langue
anglais
Résumé
Behavioural variation in primates has been well studied at the level of individuals by behavioural ecologists, and more recently at a population level by cultural biologists. Behavioural differences between groups of the same population, however, have rarely been considered. Here, I review intergroup variation in universally occurring behaviours between up to six neighbouring groups of vervet monkeys. Group differences have been found in several domains including foraging, conflicts, grooming and proximity. An exclusively ecological explanation for the observed variation appears implausible, as these monkey groups have overlapping home ranges, and their ecology is therefore very similar. The presence of a genetic bias underlying the observed group differences is also implausible, as males disperse between groups at sexual maturity and multiple times within their lives creating a continuous gene flow between the six groups. This leaves socially learned group-level traditions as the most plausible explanation. I discuss ways in which this working conclusion can be tested. The likely presence of group-level traditions in close proximity, well known in humans, has rarely been considered for non-human primates and adds an important dimension to research on conformity in non-human cultures.
Mots-clé
behavioural variation, neighbouring primate groups, social learning, traditions, universal behaviours, vervet monkeys
Web of science
Création de la notice
29/11/2018 11:29
Dernière modification de la notice
20/08/2019 15:26
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