Genital signalling and the coexistence of male vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops pygerythrus).

To ascertain the social significance of male genital colouration two troops of vervets, one free-ranging and one caged, were observed. It was found that genital signals were associated with intermale agonism. It is suggested that this communicatory system regulates the behaviour of competitors and may thereby have facilitated the evolution of a multimale social system.