Familiarity and threat of opponents determine variation in Thomas langur (Presbytis thomasi) male behaviour during between-group encounters

Abstract

AbstractDuring between-group encounters in primates, males often defend mates, food or infants against other males. Males, however, show variation in contests between opponents. In other taxa, such variation has been attributed to variation in familiarity with or threat of opponents. Here we present the results of analyses of between-group encounter intensity variation in Thomas langurs while controlling for threat when evaluating familiarity and vice versa. Encounter intensity was measured by the proportion of encounters with chases and the number of loud calls per minute during the encounter given by the focal male. The results indicate that both familiarity and threat influence encounter intensity. Less familiar opponents had more intense encounters and opponents that differed in the threat level to each other also had more intense encounters. Thus, Thomas langur males seem to incorporate information on both the level of threat and familiarity of other males to make a decision on how to react during a between-group encounter.