1998/02/14 by Alison Jolly · 3 citations
Psychology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Primate Behavior and Ecology #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior #Lemur #Lemur catta #Prosimian #Zoology #Aggression #Biology #Agonistic behaviour #Primate #Evolutionary biology #Ecology #Social psychology #Psychology
paper · doi:10.1159/000052693
openalex publication_date 1998/02/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Lemur societies have been described as convergent with those of anthropoids, including Papio-like female-bonded multi-male groups. Recent research, however, shows at least 5 pair-bonded species among the Lemuridae and Indriidae. Three more, Eulemur mongoz, Eulemur fulvus and Varecia variegata, have societies combining aspects of pairing with aspects of troop life. The best-known female-bonded societies, those of Lemur catta, Propithecus diadema edwardsi and Propithecus verreauxi, may be assemblages of mother-daughter dyads, capable of high aggression towards other females, but derived from more solitary female ancestors, perhaps also living as pairs. The internal structure of such lemur groups differs from the more extensive kin groups of catarrhines. This in turn may relate to the lemurs' level of social intelligence and to lemur female dominance over males.