The alpha female: observations on captive pigtail monkeys.
In an 11-month study, data on the establishment of dominance and grooming relations were collected over a 3-month period on an all-female pigtail monkey group. Subsequently, 3 adult males were introduced singly to the females and remained in the group for 1 month each. Data on social relations were collected to examine stability among female relationships with and without males present, and the dependence of female dominance on male support. The results revealed: (1) males were accepted into the group and attained dominance; (2) reciprocal affinitive relationships were established between each of the males and the alpha female, and (3) the alpha female's dominance status was independent of male preference for another female.
D000378:Agonistic Behavior; D000818:Animals; D004291:Dominance-Subordination; D005260:Female; D006120:Grooming; D008251:Macaca; D008254:Macaca nemestrina; D008297:Male; D012930:Social Dominance