1997/08/08 by Anne E. Pusey, Jennifer M. Williams, Jane Goodall · 8 citations
Psychology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Primate Behavior and Ecology #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
paper · doi:10.1126/science.277.5327.828
openalex publication_date 1997/08/08 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Female chimpanzees often forage alone and do not display obvious linear dominance hierarchies; consequently, it has been suggested that dominance is not of great importance to them. However, with the use of data from a 35-year field study of chimpanzees, high-ranking females were shown to have significantly higher infant survival, faster maturing daughters, and more rapid production of young. Given the foraging behavior of chimpanzees, high rank probably influences reproductive success by helping females establish and maintain access to good foraging areas rather than by sparing them stress from aggression.