Competitive regimes in forest-dwelling Hanuman langur females (Semnopithecus entellus) |
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Authors: | A Koenig |
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Institution: | (1) German Primate Center, Department of Ethology and Ecology, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Goettingen, Germany, DE |
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Abstract: | Van Schaik’s socioecological model predicts interrelations among food distribution, competitive regimes, and female social
relationships. To test the internal consistency of the model, feeding competition was examined in three differently sized
groups of a forest-dwelling population of Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus). The nutritional condition of females was used as a direct indicator of feeding competition and related to the seasonal
variation in resource distribution and abundance. Female dominance hierarchies were characterized by displacements. Dominance
hierarchies were significantly linear and relatively stable, but less so with increasing group size. Physical condition correlated
with dominance rank and high-ranking females were in the best condition, indicating within-group contest competition. The
strength of this relationship became less pronounced with increasing group size. The females of the medium-sized group were
in the best physical condition indicating between-group contest plus within-group scramble competition. Closer examination
revealed variable costs and benefits of group foraging with a predominance of within-group scramble competition when food
was more abundant. The results support some basic predictions of the model. Limiting food abundance was bound to ubiquitous
within-group scramble competition. The use of clumped resources translated into differences in net energy gain based on dominance.
In contrast to the predictions, group-size-related costs and benefits were related to food abundance instead of food distribution.
As predicted, within-group contest competition was linked to a linear dominance hierarchy. The absence of nepotism and coalitions
in Hanuman langurs may be attributed to dominance hierarchies that are unstable through time, probably minimizing fitness
gain via kin support.
Received: 25 May 1999 / Received in revised form: 18 February 2000 / Accepted: 25 February 2000 |
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Keywords: | Feeding competition Energy budget Resource distribution Dominance hierarchy Semnopithecus entellus |
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