Female dominance in captive gray mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus)

Female dominance or female feeding priority seem to be characteristic for m any lemur species, but are rare traits in other primates and mammals in gen eral. The nocturnal lemur species, however, are underrepresented in the qua ntitative studies on social dominance. The aim of this study is to investig ate the pattern of intersexual dominance relationships in the gray mouse le mur (Microcebus murinus), a species that is generally thought to possess a number of ancestral lemur traits. The context, distribution, and outcome of intersexual conflicts are analyzed in four captive groups of gray mouse le murs. Intersexual conflicts occurred in the study groups in different behav ioral contexts and were mostly spatial interactions (chasing/fleeing, appro ach/avoidance). The majority of conflicts were decided, and were in all but one case won by females. This is the first evidence suggesting uncondition al female dominance in a cheirogaleid primate. The existence of female domi nance in most families of the Lemuriformes suggests it is an ancient trait that evolved in their common ancestor. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.