Lecture Notes on Primatology

Flashcards about primatology

Primatology

The branch of zoology that studies primates.

Uniform Food Distribution

Leads to different social behaviors in primates compared to clumped or random distribution.

Competitive Relationship

Organisms looking for the same resources

Predator-Prey Relationship

One organism consumes the other

Mutualistic Relationship

Organisms helping each other out.

Parasite-Host Relationship

One organism benefits at the expense of the other

Avoiding Predators

A benefit of primates living in groups, despite competing for resources.

Male Reproductive Success

Often tied to fending off other males and gaining social access to females.

Female Reproductive Success

Linked to finding males who can provide food for themselves and their offspring.

Solitary Behavior

Typically involves single males and single females where females raise young without male involvement.

Single Male, Multi Female

One male has exclusive sexual access to multiple females and defends them from other males.

Multi Male, Multi Female

Involves multiple males and females, often with a lead male and female, but with ongoing competition and complex social interactions.

Fission-Fusion

Groups that change size and composition depending on the availability of resources.

Parental Investment

High time and energy investment in raising young.

Sexual Selection

Traits that maximize reproductive success which may involve competition or solitary displays.

Vocal Communication

Use of calls, screeches, and other sounds to communicate various messages, including warnings about predators.

Facial Expressions

Used to communicate various states and intentions, though staring and baring teeth can be seen as rude or aggressive.

Piloerection

Involuntary hair standing on end, used as a form of communication.

Sexual Swelling

Visual signal of fertility.

Olfaction

Communication through scents, such as anal-genital scents or the 'gorilla excitement' smell.

Grooming

A crucial social behavior that serves as a way to express affection, reconcile after conflicts, and strengthen social bonds.

Culture

Transmission of behavior from one individual to another via social learning.

Fur Rubbing

Example of primates using social learning. Capuchins are observed selecting specific plants with medicinal properties.

Tool Use

Chimps modifying sticks for termite fishing.

Primate Politics

How primates navigate hierarchies and social dynamics.

Alpha

A dominant individual (male or female) who often has power and influence within the group.

Coalitions

Groups of males who work together to increase their chances of gaining power.

Infanticide

Killing of young offspring by a new dominant male.

Rank Inheritance

Primate is born with the rank of their mother.

Aggressive Behavior

Displays can be be autonomic (hair raising) or controlled, (baring teeth).

Affiliative Behavior

Friendly to maintain connections, purring, smiling, kissing etc.

Grooming

Social cement of all primates. The most affiliative of all their behaviors.

Dominance

King julius? Nope.

Female Involvement

Females can determine whether or not the alpha is a 'jerk'.

Staying/Leaving a group

Dependent on the kind of primate they are. Young males must leave with baboons, chimps female must leave.