Abstract Social primates spend a significant proportion of their time exchanging grooming with group companions. Although is mainly exchanged in kind, given its hygienic and tension‐reducing functions, it still debated whether also provides some social benefits, such as preferential access to resources (e.g., food or mating partners). In this study we analyzed distribution among wild female Japanese macaques living two groups on Yakushima. We tested the tendency monkeys reciprocate amount...

Recent developments in the study of animal cognition and emotion have resulted 'judgement bias' model welfare. Judgement biases describe way which changes affective state are characterized by information processing. In humans, anxiety depression increased expectation negative events interpretation ambiguous information. Positive wellbeing is associated with enhanced positive outcomes more Mood-congruent judgement for been demonstrated a range species, large variation tests administered...

Abstract Eco‐tourism and human–wildlife interaction can lead to increases in stress, vigilance aggression many species, however, studies investigating wildlife viewing are scarce. We present the first study impact of tourism on African elephant, Loxodonta africana, behaviour. Over 15 months, we studied effect monthly tourist pressure (tourist numbers) occurrence stress‐related, conspecific‐directed aggressive behaviour 26 individually identified elephants up three vehicles direction travel...

Abstract ContextWildlife tourism has been shown to increase stress in a variety of species and can negatively affect survival, reproduction, welfare, behaviour individuals. In African elephants, Loxodonta africana, increased physiological linked use refugia, rapid movement through corridors, heightened aggression towards humans. However, we are unaware any studies assessing the impact pressure (tourist numbers) on elephants. AimsWe used faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations...

With one exception, all previous studies of reconciliation in non‐human primates (friendly reunion between former opponents) have focused on demonstrating the immediate, short‐term effects despite widely held view that has a long‐term function repairing social relationships following aggression. To investigate this I compared mean interaction rates opponents during 10 d reconciled and non‐reconciled conflicts to baseline levels interaction. Aggression after were significantly higher than...

Abstract In many species interactions among group are often characterized by agonistic behaviour. Although animals may participate in inter‐group encounters different ways, depending on their energetic requirements, reproductive tactics, and/or developmental stage, the proximate causes affecting an animal's participation still poorly understood. Indeed, studies have analysed behaviour of males and females during without considering importance additional factors (e.g. rank). This study...

Abstract In various social species, animals have been observed to share friendly relationships with some group members and resolve conflicts through reconciliation, the exchange of affiliative behaviour soon after a conflict that functions restore relationship between former opponents. The valuable hypothesis predicts reconciliation should be more often friends. Friendly can described by three dimensions (i.e. value, security compatibility); however, research into relative importance these...

Socio-ecological models predict group size to be one major factor affecting the level of food competition. The aims this study were analyse how grooming distribution and reconciliation affected by differences in competition a habitat where predation risk is absent. Data collected on two groups different wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata yakui), living Yakushima Island, Japan. large faced greater intra-group scramble lower inter-group However, appeared small as evidenced stronger...

Several studies across anthropoid species have demonstrated how primates respond to the increased risk of conflict during space restriction with various behavioral strategies. Three strategies been proposed relating tension regulation, avoidance, and inhibition. Prior research supporting these has focused on individual- dyadic-level analyses, yet group-living animals live within a web inter-individual connections. Here, for first time, we used network approach investigate social structure...

Abstract Generalist wildlife species often thrive in urban environments because of increased anthropogenic resources. However, human-wildlife interactions, especially if negative, raise concerns for management. An enhanced understanding behavioural flexibility has been suggested to be a key tool provide educated and effective management strategies. We therefore investigated how availability semi-naturally occurring food affected foraging patterns vervet monkeys ( Chlorocebus pygerythrus ),...

Abstract Reconciliation (i.e. the post‐conflict exchange of friendly behaviour between former opponents) functions to control for detrimental effects that aggression may have on social relationships. Studies conducted so far investigated intra‐individual sources variation in behaviour, showing animals a stronger increase anxiety and are more likely reconcile after conflicts with valuable partners, such as kin. Much less attention has been given how differences individuals emotional profiles...

Vervet monkeys, Chlorocebus pygerythrus, thrive in urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and present a suitable model to assess parasitic load as measure anthropogenic disturbance, such urbanization. We collected vervet monkey faecal samples from four study sites representing gradient land use assessed parasites using the flotation method calculating eggs per gram parasite richness. Overall, more populations had significantly higher richness abundance. Our shows applicability effect...

Many nonhuman primates adjust their behavior and thrive in human-altered habitats, including towns cities. Studying anthropogenic influences from an animal's perspective can increase our understanding of behavioral flexibility, presenting important information for human–wildlife cohabitation management plans. Currently, research on anthropogenically disturbed wildlife considers either positive or negative aspects encounters independently, highlighting a need to consider potential...

Abstract Conservation biologists can use hormone measurements to assess animals’ welfare, reproductive state, susceptibility stressors, as well energy expenditure. Quantifying concentrations from faecal samples is particularly advantageous be collected without disturbing behaviour. In order for an endocrine marker useful wildlife managers, we need understand how extrinsic and intrinsic factors affect in free-ranging animal populations. Thyroid hormones are linked basal metabolic rate...