Unravelling the Complex Social Networks of Aging Macaque Monkeys
A new study has revealed some interesting insights about the social networks of macaque monkeys. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have found that macaque monkeys have distinct social networks that change with age. The study, published in the journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, is the first of its kind to examine the social networks of macaque monkeys.
The researchers studied the social networks of 60 macaques living in a wild population in the Farasan Islands of Saudi Arabia. They observed the monkeys’ social behavior and interactions over a period of 16 months, and documented the size, composition and dynamics of the monkeys’ social networks.
The results showed that the macaques had distinct social networks that changed with age. The monkeys formed different types of social relationships depending on their age, with younger monkeys being more likely to form friendships, while older monkeys were more likely to form alliances with other older monkeys.
This study is an important step in understanding the social behavior of macaque monkeys, and how it changes with age. It provides valuable insights into how social networks are formed and how they can influence the behavior of animals.
source: Phys.org