A5102990769- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Livestock and Poultry Management
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Child and Animal Learning Development
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Plant and animal studies
- Neural Networks and Applications
University of Greenwich
2025
Natural Resources Institute
2025
Bristol Zoological Society
2021-2023
University of Kent
2021
University of Göttingen
2013-2019
German Primate Center
2011-2019
Instituto de Biología Subtropical
2015
Liverpool John Moores University
2007-2012
Sapienza University of Rome
2006-2007
Abstract Network optimality has been described in genes, proteins and human communicative networks. In the latter, leads to efficient transmission of information with a minimum number connections. Whilst studies show that differences centrality exist animal networks central individuals having higher fitness, network efficiency never studied groups. Here we 78 groups primates (24 species). We found group size neocortex ratio were correlated efficiency. Centralisation (whether several are...
The strategies used by individuals to deploy altruistic behaviors have long captured research attention. Two general mechanisms can account for the decision-making process underpinning deployment of among nonkin. first mechanism, referred here as "temporal relation between events," corresponds classical reciprocal altruism; such, it is strictly within-dyad and has a strong temporal component. second labeled "partner choice based on benefits received," relies across-dyad comparisons. Although...
Seyfarth's model assumes that female primates derive rank-related benefits from higher-ranking females in exchange for grooming. As a consequence, the predicts prefer high-ranking as grooming partners and compete opportunity to groom them. Therefore, allogrooming is expected be directed up dominance hierarchy occur more often between with adjacent ranks. Although data Old World generally support model, studies on relation rank New genus Cebus have found conflicting results, showing...
Evidence of a reciprocal exchange grooming and agonistic support in primates is mixed. In this study, the authors analyzed large database coalitions captive female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) to investigate their within-group distribution temporal relations. Macaques groomed preferentially those individuals that them most supported most. They also These results were not explained by covariation with third variables such as kinship, rank, or time spent proximity. However, receiving did...
There is a vast and ever-accumulating amount of behavioural data on individually recognised animals, an incredible resource to shed light the ecological evolutionary drivers variation in animal behaviour. Yet, full potential such lies comparative research across taxa with distinct life histories ecologies. Substantial challenges impede systematic comparisons, one which lack persistent, accessible standardised databases. Big-team approaches building databases offer solution facilitating...
Analysis of fecal glucocorticoid (GC) metabolites has recently become the standard method to monitor adrenocortical activity in primates noninvasively. However, given variation production, metabolism, and excretion GCs across species even between sexes, there are no methods that universally applicable. In particular, it is important validate assays intended measure GC test extraction storage procedures, consider time course metabolite relative production circulation native hormones. This...
Abstract Primates are notable for the widespread presence of long‐term female–male associations which go beyond mating context. However, little attention has been given to factors that affect within‐species variation in relationships, especially among New World primates. Although detailed accounts heterosexual relationships Cebus species scarce, a few studies have suggested occurrence strong between adult females and high‐ranking males. This study explores affiliative alpha male during...
Tactical deception has long attracted interest because it is often assumed to entail complex cognitive mechanisms. However, systematic evidence of tactical rare and no study attempted determine whether such behaviours may be underpinned by relatively simple This examined deceptive alarm calling among wild tufted capuchin monkeys, Cebus apella nigritus, feeding on contestable food resources can potentially explained a physiological mechanism, namely increased activation in the adrenocortex...
Abstract Emotional responses to social interactions and the associated behavioural measures (e.g., self‐directed behaviours, SDB s) have been little studied in New World monkeys, especially wild settings. In this study, we investigated factors affecting anxiety a group of tufted capuchin monkeys ( C ebus apella nigritus ) using self‐scratching (hereafter scratching) as its measure. Scratching was more strongly affected by context than individual characteristics. Indeed, inter‐individual...
To manoeuvre in complex societies, it is beneficial to acquire knowledge about the social relationships existing among group mates, so as better predict their behaviour. Although such has been firmly established a variety of animal taxa, how animals knowledge, well its functional significance, remains poorly understood. In order understand primates and use we studied kin-biased redirected aggression Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) relying on large database over 15 000 aggressive episodes....
Many vertebrate taxa respond to heterospecific alarm calls with anti-predator behaviours. While it is unclear how apparent recognition achieved, learned associations between the occurrence of call and presence a predator are considered most likely explanation. Conclusive evidence that this behaviour indeed underpinned by learning, however, scarce. This study tested whether wild black capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) learn associate novel sounds predators through two-phase field...
The interests of males and females in mating contexts often conflict, identifying the information conveyed by sexual signals is central to understanding how signalers manage such conflicts. Research into provided female primate has focused on exaggerated anogenital swellings as either reliable-indicators reproductive quality (reliable-indicator hypothesis) or probabilistic fertility (graded-signal hypothesis). While these morphological are mostly confined catarrhine primates, hypotheses...
Abstract In disease dynamics, host behaviour can both determine the quantity of parasites a is exposed to, and be consequence infection. Observational experimental studies in non-human primates have consistently found that parasitic infections result less movement reduced foraging, which was interpreted as an adaptive response to counter Variation nutritional condition may add complexity infection-behaviour relationship, its influence shed light on significance. To experimentally evaluate...
Abstract Agonistic support is generally considered a classical example of altruistic behaviour. It plays critical role in the process rank acquisition. This study investigates agonistic coalitions involving juvenile Japanese macaques ( Macaca fuscata ) living large captive group. Kinship was good predictor received by macaques. also had significant, though weaker, influence on given The latter strongly influenced prospective individual against which coalition directed, i.e. relationship...
Abstract When primates groom each other, they tend to concentrate on those parts of the body cannot efficiently self‐groom (i.e., not visually accessible), and prefer intensify grooming in areas with high hair density, thus suggesting a hygienic function. However, preferences for some sites over others during social may also result from different degrees bonding relative dominance. To assess importance physical (hygienic) factors, we examined interactions two groups wild black capuchin...
Ecological models of mating systems provide a theoretical framework to predict the effect defendability both breeding resources and partners on patterns. In resource-based systems, male control over is tightly linked female preference. To date, few field studies have experimentally investigated relationship between resource preference in mammals due difficulties manipulating ecological factors (e.g., food contestability). We tested within-group defense hypothesis wild population black...
Females across a range of animal taxa produce vocalizations and signals uniquely associated with periods mating. While such may ultimately function to increase female attractivity males, conflicting findings challenge the extent which these co-vary in accordance probability conception. Female black capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) display an elaborate repertoire both vocal visual components as part their socio-sexual behavior, previous analyses have shown that rates production visual, but...