Intragroup variation in conciliatory tendencies in captive Japanese macaques

Nonhuman primates have been observed to exchange friendly gestures soon;aft er an agonistic episode, a behaviour labelled reconciliation. Frequency of reconciliation has been shown to vary both within and between primate group s. This study used both univariate and multivariate analyses to investigate intragroup variation in the frequency of reconciliation in captive Japanes e macaques (Macaca fuscata). Frequency of reconciliation was lower during t he mating season, and was also affected by the intensity of aggression and by the sex and age combination of the opponents. On the contrary, outcome o f aggression and number of aggressors did not influence the frequency of re conciliation. Kin reconciled more than nonkin, and individuals with a good social relationship reconciled more than those with a bad or weak relations hip. The effects of kinship and relationship quality appeared to be indepen dent since among individuals with a good relationship, kin reconciled more than nonkin, while among nonkin, individuals with a good relationship recon ciled more than those with a bad or weak relationship. Our results show tha t Japanese macaques are highly flexible in their conciliatory behaviour, an d highlight a possible role of reconciliation in the negotiation and manage ment of primate social relationships.