KINSHIP, ASSOCIATION, AND SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS IN RHESUS-MONKEYS (MACACA-MULATTA)

Data on social interactions with matrilineal kin were collected from t wo groups of rhesus monkeys for 6 years. All behavioral states, includ ing time within one meter of another, involved kin more often than wou ld be expected by chance. Significant associations were also found bet ween kinship and the frequencies of various forms of agonistic as well as affiliative acts. Frequency of social interaction, however, was no t a simple function of time in proximity. Although animals spent more time with kin than nonkin they had more aggressive interactions with k in. Moreover, aggression was biased toward the more serious forms of e xpression in interactions with kin. Time spent in association was neit her predictive of the rate of aggressive interaction nor reduced by hi gh rates of aggressive interaction. Rather than association time influ encing rates of interaction, association time may be the consequence o f a history of aggressive and affiliative exchanges. Preferential asso ciation and high rates of aggressive interaction with kin may be possi ble due to the existence of compensating social mechanisms nullifying the negative influence of specific aggressive encounters. (C) 1993 Wil ey-Liss, Inc.