Same-sex and immature sexual behaviour repertoire in a wild group of robust capuchin monkeys

What is it about?

The black-horned capuchin monkey same-sex and immature sexual behaviour_x000D_ _x000D_ Many primate species are known to engage in sexual behaviour in non-reproductive contexts. Infants, juveniles and adults display sexual patterns such as genital presentations and engage in mounts with same-sex partners or within adult-immature interactions. These mounts have functions such as practicing sex as an immature, exchanging resources for sex and defining hierarchy within a group._x000D_ While the same-sex and immature sexual behaviour and its functions are well-described for Old World monkeys such as the Japanese Monkeys and the Bonobo, New World monkeys were left aside when talking unconventional sex. The Animal Ecology and Behavior Lab (LECA) - Londrina, Brazil staff researches the behaviour of wild black-horned capuchin groups living near urban areas. While following these animals, they observed capuchins mounting each other and displaying solicitation behaviours - similar to those observed during heterosexual sex._x000D_ Despite prevalent in all age and sexes, this behaviour was much more frequent and complex in males. Why do they engage in this behaviour? It is likely that subordinate and young males engage mount each other in order to practice for latter opportunities, as the alpha male - who did not participate in mounts - monopolizes access to females. Also, this behaviour was predominantly observed during play behaviour in all classes, suggesting that the mounts might be an affiliative behaviour._x000D_

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