Kin recognition in the Guinea baboon (Papio papio)

Includes bibliographical references (pages [36]-42)Kin recognition is defined as the directing of behaviors differentially among individuals on the basis of genetic relatedness. Kin recognition has been documented in a number of non-human primate species, but the majority of these studies have focused on female and juvenile subjects. This study examines kin recognition in the adult male Guinea baboon (Papio papio). In this study, males were found to engage in nearest neighbor, grooming and coalition behaviors more frequently with male siblings than would be expected if these behaviors were directed randomly among male troop members. Coalitions were found to occur between males of all levels of kinship more frequently than would be expected due to chance. Males were also found to engage in nearest neighbor, grooming, reproductive, and agonistic behaviors with female non-siblings and non-mothers in frequencies greater than would be expected if these behaviors were directed randomly among female troop members. In addition, males had non-kin females as nearest neighbors more frequently than would be expected when all levels of kinship were examined. Thus males appear to preferentially affiliate with male kin while avoiding female kin. This is in agreement with theories of kin selection and inbreeding avoidance.M.S. (Master of Science