Reconciliation patterns among stumptailed macaques: A multivariate approach

This study focused on two aspects of the dynamics of reconciliation in stum ptailed macaques, Macaca arctoides. First, we investigated the combined eff ects of multiple variables (i.e. sex, age, rank, conflict intensity, outcom e, or number of participants, interopponent distance, kinship and friendshi p) on the occurrence of reconciliation. Second, we investigated whether opp onents used different behaviour patterns in their postconflict reunions dep ending on the characteristics of their conflicts or their relationship with their opponents. We studied a multimale, multifemale group of 38 stumptail ed macaques housed in a large outdoor compound. Three types of data were co llected: (1) instantaneous scan sampling of contact sitting to infer 'frien dship'; (2) ad libitum data on bared-teeth and teeth-chattering displays to infer dominance rank; (3) 10-min focal observations during postconflict (P C) and matched control (MC) periods in which we recorded interopponent dist ance at the beginning of the observation and all aggressive and affiliative behaviours between former opponents. Our study confirmed the high concilia tory tendency of stumptailed macaques previously reported for other groups. A stepwise logistic regression revealed that initial interopponent distanc e in PC, friendship and kinship were the only factors that independently co ntributed to explain the occurrence of reconciliation. Two main clusters of postconflict behavioural patterns emerged: allogrooming+contact sitting an d;sociosexual behaviours (e.g. hold-bottom). It is hypothesized that postco nflict allogrooming and contact sitting may be used for the maintenance of valuable relationships, whereas sociosexual behaviours may be used more ind iscriminately by any pair of opponents as a buffering mechanism to prevent immediate recurrence of aggression. (C) 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.