AFFILIATIVE AND SUBMISSIVE COMMUNICATION IN RHESUS MACAQUES

This study analyzed the occurrence of selected facial expressions, ges tures, and postures, in relation to sex and rank of sender and receive r, context, and responses elicited in a large multi-male multi-female group of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) living in captivity. The gro up was observed for 100 hr during the mating and the birth season. Dat a were collected with the behavior sampling method. The bared-teeth di splay and the hindquarter presentation were the most prominent signals in the rhesus submissive and affiliative repertoire. Both signals wer e primarily displayed in response to aggression and approaches; bared- teeth in response to approaches from the front, presentation in respon se to approaches from the rear. Lip-smack had a submissive component l ike bared-teeth and presentation but was more likely to be displayed b y approaching individuals and followed by affiliation than these behav iors. The distribution of hip-touch and mount was different from that of bared-teeth, presentation, and lip-smack, these behaviors mostly oc curring between males, irrespective of their dominance rank. Other inf requent signals and behavioral sequences were limited to specific male -female and mother-infant interactions.