INFLUENCE OF INFANTS ON FEMALE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS IN MONKEYS

A critical evaluation of the literature and a cost/benefit analysis su ggest that changes in affiliation patterns in female monkeys following the birth of infants should be mediated by female reproductive state and dominance rank and infant characteristics such as age and sex. Sev eral predictions concerning the effects of these variables were tested on dyadic interactions between lactating pigtail macaque (Macacanemes trina) females and other lactating or pregnant females. Dyads composed of lactating females spent more time in proximity, contact and groomi ng than dyads composed of lactating and pregnant females. Association with other lactating females was mainly due to lower-ranking females t hat may gain benefits such as increased tolerance and support from the ir partners. Infant handling by lactating females had a higher percent age of harassment episodes than handling by pregnant females. Among dy ads composed of two lactating females, affiliative interactions were i nversely correlated with rank distance. It is suggested that the prese nce of infants may influence female social dynamics at the group level . to a greater extent than previously thought.