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Delval I, Fernández-Bolaños M, Visalberghi E, Izar P, Valentova JV. Homosexual Courtship in Young Wild Capuchin Monkeys: A Case Study. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:2303-2315. [PMID: 37286765 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02632-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In primates, many species exhibit same-sex sexual behaviors (SSB), defined as "genital contact or genital manipulation between same-sex individuals." Several sociosexual functions have been proposed, including proceptivity enhancement, receptivity reduction, dominance assertion, practice for heterosexual copulation, tension regulation, reconciliation, and alliance formation. Capuchin monkeys are known for their rich and flexible sexual behavioral repertoire and elaborated courtships. At present, the few reports of SSB in capuchin monkeys (genera Sapajus and Cebus) focused on mounting. Here, we describe the case observed in a population of wild yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys (Sapajus xanthosternos) in which two young males, aged 5-6 years and 19 months, performed a 15-min uninterrupted sequence of courtship behaviors and mounting. Comparing with a previously established ethogram of 20 behaviors typical for heterosexual behavior of tufted capuchins, we show that these males performed 16 of them. Thus, SSBs are already present in the repertoire of young individuals and the practice may serve to create or strengthen bonds. Although same-sex mounting and genital inspection are common in capuchins' play and other social interactions, the almost entire array of courtship behaviors has never been observed in youngsters. Additionally, this example supports the notion that primate (homo)sexual behavior is not limited to genitalia and copulation, since the observed courtship included diverse behaviors different from genital contact. Thus, we propose a broader definition of sexual behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Delval
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Mello Moraes, 1721, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Fernández-Bolaños
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Mello Moraes, 1721, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil
| | - Elisabetta Visalberghi
- Unit of Cognitive Primatology and Primate Center, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrícia Izar
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Mello Moraes, 1721, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil
| | - Jaroslava Varella Valentova
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Mello Moraes, 1721, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil
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Byrne RW, Cartmill E, Genty E, Graham KE, Hobaiter C, Tanner J. Great ape gestures: intentional communication with a rich set of innate signals. Anim Cogn 2017; 20:755-769. [PMID: 28502063 PMCID: PMC5486474 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-017-1096-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Great apes give gestures deliberately and voluntarily, in order to influence particular target audiences, whose direction of attention they take into account when choosing which type of gesture to use. These facts make the study of ape gesture directly relevant to understanding the evolutionary precursors of human language; here we present an assessment of ape gesture from that perspective, focusing on the work of the "St Andrews Group" of researchers. Intended meanings of ape gestures are relatively few and simple. As with human words, ape gestures often have several distinct meanings, which are effectively disambiguated by behavioural context. Compared to the signalling of most other animals, great ape gestural repertoires are large. Because of this, and the relatively small number of intended meanings they achieve, ape gestures are redundant, with extensive overlaps in meaning. The great majority of gestures are innate, in the sense that the species' biological inheritance includes the potential to develop each gestural form and use it for a specific range of purposes. Moreover, the phylogenetic origin of many gestures is relatively old, since gestures are extensively shared between different genera in the great ape family. Acquisition of an adult repertoire is a process of first exploring the innate species potential for many gestures and then gradual restriction to a final (active) repertoire that is much smaller. No evidence of syntactic structure has yet been detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Byrne
- Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JP, UK.
| | - E Cartmill
- Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JP, UK
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles, 375 Portola Plaza, 341 Haines Hall, Box 951553, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - E Genty
- Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JP, UK
- Laboratoire de cognition comparée, Institut de Biologie, Université de Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - K E Graham
- Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JP, UK
| | - C Hobaiter
- Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JP, UK
| | - J Tanner
- Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JP, UK
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3
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Roberts AI, Roberts SGB. Gestural Communication and Mating Tactics in Wild Chimpanzees. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139683. [PMID: 26536467 PMCID: PMC4633128 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The extent to which primates can flexibly adjust the production of gestural communication according to the presence and visual attention of the audience provides key insights into the social cognition underpinning gestural communication, such as an understanding of third party relationships. Gestures given in a mating context provide an ideal area for examining this flexibility, as frequently the interests of a male signaller, a female recipient and a rival male bystander conflict. Dominant chimpanzee males seek to monopolize matings, but subordinate males may use gestural communication flexibly to achieve matings despite their low rank. Here we show that the production of mating gestures in wild male East African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweunfurthii) was influenced by a conflict of interest with females, which in turn was influenced by the presence and visual attention of rival males. When the conflict of interest was low (the rival male was present and looking away), chimpanzees used visual/ tactile gestures over auditory gestures. However, when the conflict of interest was high (the rival male was absent, or was present and looking at the signaller) chimpanzees used auditory gestures over visual/ tactile gestures. Further, the production of mating gestures was more common when the number of oestrous and non-oestrus females in the party increased, when the female was visually perceptive and when there was no wind. Females played an active role in mating behaviour, approaching for copulations more often when the number of oestrus females in the party increased and when the rival male was absent, or was present and looking away. Examining how social and ecological factors affect mating tactics in primates may thus contribute to understanding the previously unexplained reproductive success of subordinate male chimpanzees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ilona Roberts
- Department of Psychology, University of Chester, Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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4
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Wrangham R. The sexual behaviour of chimpanzees and bonobos, our closest living relatives: multiple matings and multiple meanings. Glob Bioeth 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/11287462.1996.10800945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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Wrangham RW. The evolution of sexuality in chimpanzees and bonobos. HUMAN NATURE-AN INTERDISCIPLINARY BIOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE 2013; 4:47-79. [PMID: 24214293 DOI: 10.1007/bf02734089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/1992] [Accepted: 01/08/1993] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of nonconceptive sexuality in bonobos and chimpanzees is discussed from a functional perspective. Bonobos and chimpanzees have three functions of sexual activity in common (paternity confusion, practice sex, and exchange for favors), but only bonobos use sex purely for communication about social relationships. Bonobo hypersexuality appears closely linked to the evolution of female-female alliances. I suggest that these alliances were made possible by relaxed feeding competition, that they were favored through their effect on reducing sexual coercion, and that they are ultimately responsible for the relaxed social conditions that allowed the evolution of "communication sex."
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Wrangham
- Peabody Museum, Harvard University, 02138, Cambridge, MA
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Puts DA, Dawood K, Welling LLM. Why women have orgasms: an evolutionary analysis. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2012; 41:1127-1143. [PMID: 22733154 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-012-9967-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2011] [Revised: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 02/19/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Whether women's orgasm is an adaptation is arguably the most contentious question in the study of the evolution of human sexuality. Indeed, this question is a veritable litmus test for adaptationism, separating those profoundly impressed with the pervasive and myriad correspondences between organisms' phenotypes and their conditions of life from those who apply the "onerous concept" of adaptation with more caution, skepticism or suspicion. Yet, the adaptedness of female orgasm is a question whose answer will elucidate mating dynamics in humans and nonhuman primates. There are two broad competing explanations for the evolution of orgasm in women: (1) the mate-choice hypothesis, which states that female orgasm has evolved to function in mate selection and (2) the byproduct hypothesis, which states that female orgasm has no evolutionary function, existing only because women share some early ontogeny with men, in whom orgasm is an adaptation. We review evidence for these hypotheses and identify areas where relevant evidence is lacking. Although additional research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn, we find that the mate-choice hypothesis receives more support. Specifically, female orgasm appears to have evolved to increase the probability of fertilization from males whose genes would improve offspring fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Puts
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Hobaiter C, Byrne RW. The gestural repertoire of the wild chimpanzee. Anim Cogn 2011; 14:745-67. [PMID: 21533821 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-011-0409-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2010] [Revised: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 04/14/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Great ape gestural communication is known to be intentional, elaborate and flexible; yet there is controversy over the best interpretation of the system and how gestures are acquired, perhaps because most studies have been made in restricted, captive settings. Here, we report the first systematic analysis of gesture in a population of wild chimpanzees. Over 266 days of observation, we recorded 4,397 cases of intentional gesture use in the Sonso community, Budongo, Uganda. We describe 66 distinct gesture types: this estimate appears close to asymptote, and the Sonso repertoire includes most gestures described informally at other sites. Differences in repertoire were noted between individuals and age classes, but in both cases, the measured repertoire size was predicted by the time subjects were observed gesturing. No idiosyncratic usages were found, i.e. no gesture type was used only by one individual. No support was found for the idea that gestures are acquired by 'ontogenetic ritualization' from originally effective actions; moreover, in detailed analyses of two gestures, action elements composing the gestures did not closely match those of the presumed original actions. Rather, chimpanzee gestures are species-typical; indeed, many are 'family-typical', because gesture types recorded in gorillas, orangutans and chimpanzee overlap extensively, with 24 gestures recorded in all three genera. Nevertheless, chimpanzee gestures are used flexibly across a range of contexts and show clear adjustment to audience (e.g. silent gestures for attentive targets, contact gestures for inattentive ones). Such highly intentional use of a species-typical repertoire raises intriguing questions for the evolution of advanced communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Hobaiter
- Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution and Scottish Primate Research Group, School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, UK
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8
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Pruitt JN, Riechert SE. Nonconceptive sexual experience diminishes individuals’ latency to mate and increases maternal investment. Anim Behav 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Pieta K. Female Mate Preferences Among Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii of Kanyawara, Kibale National Park, Uganda. INT J PRIMATOL 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-008-9282-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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10
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Li J, Yin H, Zhou L. Non-reproductive copulation behavior among Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Huangshan, China. Primates 2006; 48:64-72. [PMID: 17024512 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-006-0002-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2004] [Accepted: 03/28/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Non-reproductive copulation, which takes place outside of the mating season and does not result in conception and birth, was studied in a free-ranging group of Tibetan monkeys (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China, in the birth seasons of 1992 and 1997. We employed all occurrence and focal animal samplings to record sexual and related behaviors and affiliation interactions, respectively. Compared with sexual behavior in mating season, non-reproductive copulation occurred at a lower frequency, with less frequent ejaculation, less harassment, shorter mount duration, and an absence of pause with vocalization. It often took place in a situation in which non-lactating females were involved in social conflict or approached males for mating. Neither pregnant nor lactating females were observed to mate in the birth seasons. Copulation during the birth season did not increase a sexually receptive female's delivery the next year, nor was it associated with increased proximity, grooming, or agonistic aid for the mating pair. However, copulated pairs spent more time co-feeding, presumably reflecting an increased tolerance on the part of the male. Adolescent males, who rarely copulated in the mating season, engaged in mating activity in birth seasons as well. Therefore, though birth-season copulation had no reproductive functions, it may have fulfilled social functions for females, such as post-aggression appeasing by males or gaining access to resources. This also offered good opportunities for adolescent males and females to develop their sexual skills for later competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- School of Life Science, Anhui University, Hefei, 230039, China.
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11
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Carnegie SD, Fedigan LM, Ziegler TE. Behavioral indicators of ovarian phase in white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus). Am J Primatol 2005; 67:51-68. [PMID: 16163719 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.20169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In many primate species, conspicuous behavioral and/or morphological changes are indicators of the fertile phase of the female cycle. However, several primate species, such as the white-faced capuchin, lack these cues. This is referred to as "concealed ovulation," and is argued to be a reproductive strategy that confuses paternity and lowers the risk of infanticide. We studied 10 adult female white-faced capuchins in Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica, from January to June 2002. We determined their ovarian cycling patterns by analyzing fecal ovarian hormones, and compared simultaneously collected behavioral data to determine which, if any, cues females use to signal their fertile phases. We found that four females cycled during the study period but ceased to cycle without becoming pregnant. We considered several explanations for the lack of conception during our study, including reproductive seasonality. We found that female C. capucinus showed only small increases in rates of affiliative/proceptive behaviors directed toward adult males during their periovulatory phases. The best indicator of cycle phase was a significant increase in male affiliative behaviors (e.g., following and grooming bouts) and sexual behaviors (e.g., copulations and courtship displays) directed toward females during the periovulatory phase compared to the nonovulatory phase. Our finding that females exhibit little proceptive behavior, but that copulations and male courtship are nonetheless concentrated in periovulatory phases suggests that even though females do not provide behavioral and morphological cues to ovulation, males are still able to detect it. Infanticide occurs with some frequency in these monkeys, and there is evidence for postconceptive mating as a female strategy to lower risk of infanticide via paternity confusion. However, despite this occurrence of nonconceptive mating and the absence of female cues to ovulation, truly concealed ovulation does not appear to be characteristic of this study population of white-faced capuchins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D Carnegie
- Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
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Stumpf RM, Boesch C. Does promiscuous mating preclude female choice? Female sexual strategies in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) of the Ta� National Park, C�te d?Ivoire. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2004. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-004-0868-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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13
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Pellis SM, Iwaniuk AN. The Problem of Adult Play Fighting: A Comparative Analysis of Play and Courtship in Primates. Ethology 1999. [DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0310.1999.00457.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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14
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15
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Dewsbury DA, Pierce JD. Copulatory patterns of primates as viewed in broad mammalian perspective. Am J Primatol 1989; 17:51-72. [DOI: 10.1002/ajp.1350170106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/1988] [Revised: 08/08/1988] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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16
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Sexual swelling, receptivity, and grouping of wild pygmy chimpanzee females at Wamba, Zaïre. Primates 1987. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02381014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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17
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Wallis J. Synchrony of estrous swelling in captive group-living chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). INT J PRIMATOL 1985. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02745505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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18
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Hasegawa T, Hiraiwa-Hasegawa M. Opportunistic and restrictive matings among wild chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains, Tanzania. J ETHOL 1983. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02347833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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19
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Wallis J. Sexual behavior of captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Pregnant versus cycling females. Am J Primatol 1982; 3:77-88. [DOI: 10.1002/ajp.1350030107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/1982] [Accepted: 03/03/1982] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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20
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Allen ML, Lemmon WB. Orgasm in female primates. Am J Primatol 1981; 1:15-34. [DOI: 10.1002/ajp.1350010104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/1980] [Accepted: 11/19/1980] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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21
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King NE, Stevens VJ, Mellen JD. Social behavior in a captive chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) group. Primates 1980. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02374033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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22
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Coe CL, Connolly AC, Kraemer HC, Levine S. Reproductive development and behavior of captive female chimpanzees. Primates 1979. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02373439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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23
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Tutin CE. Responses of chimpanzees to copulation, with special reference to interference by immature individuals. Anim Behav 1979. [DOI: 10.1016/0003-3472(79)90022-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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24
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Savage-Rumbaugh ES, Wilkerson BJ. Socio-sexual behavior in Pan paniscus and Pan troglodytes: A comparative study. J Hum Evol 1978. [DOI: 10.1016/s0047-2484(78)80074-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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