Postconflict behavior among female Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus roxellana within one-male units in the Qinling Mountains,China

For group-living primates, the information on postconflict management is crucial for understanding primate competition and cooperation. However, such information is poorly known for snub-nosed monkeys, especially for wild populations. In this study, from September 2007 to June 2008, we investigated postconflict behavior among adult females Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus roxellana within one-male units in a wild, provisioned group in the Qinling Mountains of China by means of the time-rule method and the PC-MC method. We obtained a total of 81 PC-MC pairs and each individual was involved in only 0.004 aggressive behavior per observation hour. The first affiliative behavior was more likely to occur within the first minute after a conflict. The postconflict affiliative behaviors most often seen were contact-sit, embrace and grooming. The affiliative contacts between adult females occur due to selective attraction, i.e. reconciliation. The pattern of postconflict affiliation demonstrates that the R. roxellana belongs to a tolerant species.

Social functions of relaxed open-mouth display in golden snub-nosed monkeys(Rhinopithecus roxellana)

Relaxed open-mouth display serves important social functions in relation to submission, reconciliation affiliation and reassurance among non-human primate societies; however, quantitative evidence on this behavior remains insufficient among multi-level social groups. From July to November 2016, we examined four potential functions of the relaxed open-mouth display during pairwise, intra-unit social interactions among 18 free-ranging adult and sub-adult golden snub-nosed monkeys(Rhinopithecus roxellana) who belonged to three one-male, multi-female units(OMU) at Dalongtan, Shennongjia National Park China. Results showed that: compared with no relaxed open-mouth display,(1) the occurrence of displacement by a dominant individual approaching a subordinate was lower and the distance of the subordinate to the approaching dominant was shorter when the subordinate showed open-mouth display;(2) relaxed open-mouth display reduced the probability of continued attack for victims of aggression and allowed victims to achieve closer proximity to the aggressor during post-conflict periods;(3) relaxed open-mouth display by dominant individuals allowed them to achieve closer proximity to subordinates; and(4) the exchange of relaxed open-mouth display had a greater impact on the outcome of interactions than one individual alone giving this signal. These findings suggest that relaxed open-mouth display serves important functions regarding submission, reconciliation, affiliation and reassurance in coordinating social interactions within OMUs in golden snub-nosed monkeys.

Activity budgets in a group of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys in Shennongjia Nature Reserve,China

We examined time allocation by Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus roxellana in the montane, temperate and highly seasonal forests of the Shennongjia Nature Reserve in China, in order to improve our understanding of the ecological and social influences on monkey behavior. We collected data on activity budgets in relation to food availability in a group of monkeys from July 2003 to September 2004 （except February 2004）, using instantaneous scan samples. The monkeys spent 36.21% of daytime moving （ n = 21, 269 records）, 24.39% foraging, 9.33% inactive, 11,7% performing social behaviors, and 18.38% performing other behaviors. There were seasonal and annual variations in the proportions of time devoted to some activities. These variations were largely attributed to seasonal or annual fluctuations in the distribution and quality of food resources. Adult males spent more time moving, searching, and displaying other behaviors, but less time feeding and performing social behaviors than adult females. Adults performed other behaviors more often and moving less often than juveniles. These differences in activity budgets may reflect fundamental differences in reproductive biology, parental investment, and development among the different age/sex classes [ Current Zoology 55 （3） ： 173 - 179, 2009] .

Analysis on Landscape Pattern of Habitat of Sichuan Golden Monkey in Baihe Nature Reserve

The paper had analyzed landscape pattern of habitat of Sichuan golden monkey in Baihe Nature Reserve.The result showed:① there were altogether 5 069.00 patches at habitat of Sichuan golden monkey in Baihe Nature Reserve,the patch density was 2 595 p/hm2,average patch area was 3.20 hm2,Shannon's diversity index was 2.49,patch richness was 68.00,total length of edge was 19 011 119.91 m,edge density was 97.34 m/km2,and landscape shape index was 35.19.② The quality of habitat of Sichuan golden monkey reduced,patches at the habitat were seriously fragmentized,and it urgently needed to enhance protection and increase investment.The paper suggested connecting fragmented habitats through establishing habitat corridor in nature reserve;strengthening resources protection and strictly examining development projects of tourist products;increasing scientific research and capital investment;adopting effective measures to ameliorate local community environment and relieving the pressure of nature reserve caused by people;intensifying relevant publicity and education,so as to improve quality of habitat of Sichuan golden monkey in the nature reserve and effectively protect this valuable species.

A newly-found pattern of social relationships among adults within one-male units of golden snub-nosed monkeys(Rhinopithecus roxenalla)in the Qinling Mountains,China

Group living provides various advantages to individuals in regards to protection avoidance,intergroup competition,productive success and social information.Stable one-male units(OMUs)consist of relationships between the adult females and the resident male as well as the relationships among adult females.Based on continuous observation of a reproductive group of golden snub-nosed monkeys(Rhinopithecus roxellana)in the Qinling Mountains,we analyzed the relationships among adult individual dyads within 4 OMUs.The results indicated that in golden snub-nosed monkey societies,females not only had no strong tendency to build a relationship with the resident male in the OMU but also had no strong tendency to build relationships with other females in the OMU.In comparison with hamadryas(Papio hamadryas)and gelada baboons(Theropithecus gelada),the relationships within golden snub-nosed monkeys OMUs showed neither the star-shaped pattern observed in hamadryas baboons nor the net-shaped pattern observed in gelada baboons.We concluded that the relationships within golden snub-nosed monkey OMUs indicated a third pattern in nonhuman primate societies.Future research is required to determine the potential mechanisms for such a pattern.

Population structure of the golden snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus roxellana in the Qinling Mountains, central China

Environmental barriers and habitat fragmentation can restrict gene flow,leading to genetic divergence among animal populations.The golden snub-nosed monkey,Rhinopithecus roxellana,is endemic to China,and rang­es across 4 provinces.However,over the past 40 years its populations have become fragmented.We investigat­ed the genetic diversity,demographic history and population structure of R.roxellana in 5 reserves in one of its strongholds,the Qinling Mountain forests of Shaanxi.We collected genetic material from 11 monkey bands(a group of individuals containing multiple 1-male units)with a total of 428 samples genotyped at 20 microsatel­lite loci.Allelic richness and heterozygosity suggested a relatively high level of intra-band genetic diversity.We found no evidence of any genetic bottleneck in these R.roxellana populations.AMOVA and Bayesian cluster analysis revealed that R.roxellana in the 5 reserves are highly structured and form at least 3 distinct subpopula­tions.These subpopulations concur with major topographical features in the study area,such as mountain ridg­es,suggesting that dispersal of R.roxellana may be restricted by geographical barriers.

Study on Habitat Forest Type and Plant Diversity of Sichuan Snub-nosed Monkey in Shennongjia National Nature Reserve

The experimental plots in representative areas of the Shennongjia Nature Reserve were established.The forest communities in Shennongjia were investigated by using TWINSPAN.The plant communities in these plots were investigated to discern the pattern of species diversity distribution along the altitudinal gradient.Theα-diversity andβ- diversity were calculated by using the data collected. Theα-diversity of the tree layer peaked in the evergreen broadleaved forest zone at low-elevation, theα-diversity of the shrub layer increased gradually at first and then decreased along the altitudinal gradient,while theα-diversity of the herb layer peaked in mid-altitude.Theβ-diversity peaked at mid-elevations where the composition of edificatory species changed.The transition zone was characterized by relatively high levels of species diversity and species turn-over rate.The overall species richness peaked in mid-altitude.The results of this research could provide a sound basis for reserve management and planning,as well as preservation of Sichuan snub-nosed monkey in this reserve.

Spatial pattern in the foraging group of Sichuan golden monkeys

One of the major social-biological characteristics in the genus Rhinopithecus is that the animals live in large groups of tens to hundreds of individuals. Study of the distribution pattern of various age-sex classes in the foraging Sichuan golden monkey troop has revealed that the spatial pattern of the Sichuan golden monkey group is an ellipse with its vertical axes longer than the horizontal axes. Most members are concentrated in the center and the center-back.Adult males gather in the front, the center and the back of the troop; adult females and the young assemble in the center and near-center; sub-adult males are mainly distributed in the center-back and back, but some are also seen in the front, front-center and center; sub-adult females are more or less uniformly dispersed. The spatial distribution of various age-sex classes seems well correspondent with their status and role in the group. This result indicates that the spatial distribution strategy adopted by Sichuan golden monkeys is

Kinship promotes affiliative behaviors in a monkey

In social mammals, kinship is an important factor that often affects the interactions among individuals within groups. In primates that live in a multilevel society, kinship may affect affiliative patterns be- tween individuals at different scales within the larger group. For this study, we use field observations and molecular methods to reveal the profiles of how kinship affects affiliative behaviors between indi- viduals in a breeding band of wild golden snub-nosed monkeys （Rhinopithecus roxellana）. We use a novel nonparametric test, the partition Mantel test, to measure independently the correlation between kinship and each of three affiliative behaviors. Our results show that more closely related females are more likely to groom each other. Average relatedness between adult females within the same onemale unit （OMU） is higher than that between adult females from different OMUs. We suggest that closely related females may reside in the same OMU in order to attain inclusive fitness benefits, and that kinship plays an important role in maintaining the social structure of this species.