Social Relationships between Immigrant and Resident Bonobo (Pan paniscus) Females at Wamba

Abstract

Social relations and behaviours of adolescent female pygmy chimpanzees (Pan paniscus) that migrated between unit groups were studied at Wamba, Zaïre. Each immigrant female selected one particular resident female, a 'specific senior female' (SSF) and frequently approached and followed her. Affinitive behaviours (e.g. grooming, genitogenital rubbing) were frequently performed between the immigrant and her SSF. Most affinitive behaviours were more likely to be initiated by the immigrant than by her SSF. The immigrant's relationship with her SSF seemed to facilitate the immigrant's integration into the new unit group. Resident males actively approached and mated with the immigrant females. Copulation also appeared to further the immigrant's stable relationship with the resident males.

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