The effects of sexual status on threat, attack and subordinate behaviors of papio monkeys.

Performance of perception of threat, attack, and subordinate behaviors at different phases of the perineal cycle in 24 female group papio monkeys (super-species Papio cynocephalus) was compared. The subjects ranged in age from 36 to 42 months at the inception of the study and were observed over a 2-year period. Females performed significantly fewer threat and attack behaviors during the swollen phase of the perineal cycle and showed no significant differences in the reception of the three behavioral measures. The reduction in the performance of aggression that occurs during the swollen phase of the perineal cycle reflects a shift in the focus of interactions during consortship to a single male.