Effects of Dominance on Feeding Success and Single-file Processions in Ringtailed (Lemur catta) and Redfronted (Eulemur fulvus fufus) Lemurs
Abstract
Although it was once believed that female dominance was characteristic to
most or all lemur species, recent studies have now shown this belief to be
incorrect. A spectrum of dominance exists among lemur species, from the
ringtailed lemur, a true female dominated society; to the red fronted lemur, a
species without an obvious dominance structure. Dominance relationships
will influence many aspects of a society, including feeding success and group
movement in single-file processions. This study examined those two aspects
in ringtailed and redfronted lemurs. It was expected that female ring tails
would have a higher feeding success and be at the beginning of processions
more than males. Redfronted lemurs were expected to show no significant
differences between the sexes in either aspect of behavior. Results for the
ringtails were as expected for the most part. Females in one of the two groups
examined had higher feeding success than males. In processions, female
ringtails were at the beginning and in the middle more often than males,
while males were more often at the end or not in the procession. Results
from the ringtailed observations may relate to the occurrence of male
deference in some lemurs. Surprising results appeared in data from the
redfronted lemurs. Females fed significantly more in the first ten minutes
than did males. Also, females were at the beginning of processions more
frequently than males. These results indicate that further study of the
red fronted lemur behavior may help to determine whether females show
dominance, perhaps not aggressively but in other subtle ways, which
influence feeding or processions.
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