Daily behavior of alpha-male compared with subordinate male in long-tailed macaque

What is it about?

This study aimed to compare the daily behavior of an alpha-male and a subordinate-male. Behavioral observations were carried out on two focal animals, alpha-male and one subordinate-male from the same group. Alpha-male and subordinate-male were determined by the bait-test method and sociometric tables. The recording rules used a 15-minute continuous recording method between 08:00 and 17:00 for 32 sections per day for ten days. The data were analyzed using the independent t-test statistical method on the relative frequency (RF) and duration (RD) between alpha-male and subordinate-male. The results found significant differences in the RF and RD of feeding, moving, and sleeping behavior between alpha-male and subordinate-male. At the same time, the RF and RD of foraging and grooming also RF of copulation (sexual) and agonistic did not show a significant difference. The difference in daily behavior between alpha-male and one subordinate male could be affected by social status between them.

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Photo by Erik Karits on Unsplash

Photo by Erik Karits on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is one of the non-human primates (NHP) species that live in groups to form a social hierarchy that can be identified through interactions with each other. The highest social ranking in the group is occupied by alpha-male. So, it is needed to get know about their daily behavior, their comparative, and their interactions each other.

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