Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/11375/22573
Title: | The Courtship Behaviour of Female Japanese Monkeys |
Authors: | McDonald, Mary S |
Advisor: | Saunders, Shelley R. |
Department: | Anthropology |
Keywords: | non-copulatory, mating pairs, formation,rejection, sequential analysis |
Publication Date: | Oct-1983 |
Abstract: | rhe non-copulatory estrous behaviour of semi-free ranging female Japanese monkeys was observed for 3 months, in order to investigate the role of the female in the establishment of mating pairs. It was concluded that the females play a very active role in the formation of mating pairs, showing three times more solicitation behaviour than males. They also reject more than 30% of the advances they do receive. This is interpretated as an indication of selectivity in the choice of sexual partners. The behaviour of the female in this courtship context is described, with emphasis on preceptive or solicitation behaviour. The data were tested for behavioural differences based on the female's age, rank, parity, number of offspring and the presence of an infant, and for differences based on the age, rank and spatial status of the interacting male. Age of the female had the greatest effect on behaviour, with older females behaving in a more calm, sophisticated manner when soliciting a male. Age was also the most significant male variable, with females showing more rejection to younger males. Other than age related findings it must be concluded that these sociological characteristics of the animals are not predictive of the females' courtship behaviour. A number of alternate lines of inquiry for future research are suggested. They include an investigation of the hormonal basis of estrous behaviour, a multivariate analysis, and a sequential analysis of behaviour. |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/22573 |
Appears in Collections: | Digitized Open Access Dissertations and Theses |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
---|---|---|---|---|
McDonald_Mary_S_1983Oct_Masters.pdf | 2.23 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Items in MacSphere are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.