Aggression and conflict management at fusion in spider monkeys

Abstract

In social systems characterized by a high degree of fission–fusion dynamics, members of a large community are rarely all together, spending most of their time in smaller subgroups with flexible membership. Although fissioning into smaller subgroups is believed to reduce conflict among community members, fusions may create conflict among individuals from joining subgroups. Here, we present evidence for aggressive escalation at fusion and its mitigation by the use of embraces in wild spider monkeys ( Ateles geoffroyi ). Our findings provide the first systematic evidence for conflict management at fusion and may have implications for the function of human greetings.