A MATRILINEAL OVERTHROW WITH DESTRUCTIVE AGGRESSION IN MACACA-FASCICULARIS

We report the sequence of a matrilineal overthrow in longtailed macaqu es (Macaca fascicularis) during which the alpha-matriline dropped to t he third of four ranks. In the initial phase of the overthrow, females from the former second ranking matriline attacked the females of the former alpha-matriline in a sequence which suggests a strategy. They a ttacked the highest ranking mother first and then directed their attac ks toward her daughter, then toward her grand-daughter, and finally to ward her great-grand-daughter. This seems to be the most effective way to disrupt the possible interventions of mothers in favor of their da ughters.