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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Researchers have widely used self-directed behaviors (SDB) as a
behavioral indicator of anxiety in nonhuman primates. We examined if SDB rates
in captive vervets (Cercopithecus aethiops) were associated with 1) proximity to
conspecifics in general, 2) relative dominance rank of proximity partners, and 3)
postconflict situations. Subjects were members of a captive group of vervets at the
Lisbon Zoo, Portugal. The group comprised 3 males and 7 females, which were
focal sampled for 10.5 h each. Vervets did not engage in more SBD while in
proximity of conspecifics than while alone, and individual SDB rates were not
generally influenced by dominance ranks of neighbors. Yet, victims of conflicts
significantly increased their SDB rates after agonistic episodes, which is consistent
with the view that SDB rates are an index of anxiety in Cercopithecus aethiops.
Description
Keywords
Dominance Postconflict anxiety Self-directed behavior Vervet
Citation
International Journal of Primatology, 29(5), 1219-1226
Publisher
Journal of the International Primatological Society