VARIATIONS IN COMPETITIVE MECHANISMS OF CAPTIVE MALE HAMADRYAS-LIKE BABOONS IN 2 FEEDING SITUATIONS

Experiments were carried out to determine the influence of fod distrib ution (clumped vs dispersed) on processes of competition among seven c aptive male hamadryas-like baboons. Spatial cohesion, cohesive behavio urs that males performed and received from their females, and aggressi ve and feeding behaviours of the males were collected during 35 min af ter food supply. Median values and variability of these variables were compared in both the feeding situations. Food distribution influenced both asymmetries in access and the form of competition. When food was clumped, those with less access fed by means of compensatory or alter native strategies (away from the main source and/or by feeding supplan ts), and they were more aggressive towards other males. When food was dispersed, all individuals could feed simultaneously, males that were more aggressive were those with less cohesive OMUs, despite the fact t hat cohesive behaviours remained constant. Females appeared to contrib ute to variation in the OMU's cohesion through their responses to both food distribution and males' competitive ability.