A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF AGGRESSION AND CONCILIATION IN 3 CERCOPITHECINE-MONKEYS (MACACA-FUSCATA, MACACA-NIGRA, PAPIO-PAPIO)

Patterns of aggression and reconciliation were studied in three captiv e groups of monkeys belonging to different species: Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), crested macaques (M. nigra) and Guinea baboons (Papi o papio). Consistent differences were found comparing same dyads of in dividuals in the three groups. Aggression was often followed by retali ation and reconciliation in the group of crested macaques, such respon ses occurred less frequently in the group of Japanese macaques, more v ariable results were found in the group of Guinea baboons. Aggressive manual contacts occurred more frequently in crested macaques than in t he other two groups. Rates of biting did not differ consistently among groups but bites could induce bleeding in the group of Japanese macaq ues. The use of peaceful interventions in conflicts was common in cres ted macaques, rare in Guinea baboons and unobserved in Japanese macaqu es. Data from other studies indicate that the contrasts found between groups could be due to interspecific variation. The present results su ggest that the covariation between conciliation rates, degree of symme try in conflicts and level of intensity in aggression may stem from ph ylogenetic constraints.