Department of Ecology and Evolution, State University of New York at Stony Brook
Anim Behav. 1997 Jul;54(1):199-211. doi: 10.1006/anbe.1996.0416.
Allogrooming behaviour was analysed in a wild group of tufted capuchin monkeys, Cebus apellain Iguazu National Park, Argentina. Evidence is provided that allogrooming in this platyrrhine species serves an important social function, as has been demonstrated for catarrhine primates. Using ad libitum sampling, 654 grooming sessions were recorded during 740 contact hours with one group. Seasonal variation was found in daily time allocation to allogrooming and the mean duration and reciprocity of sessions. Individual dominance rank was an important determinant of grooming relationships. The dominant male and female were the most actively involved in grooming. Among adults, dominant individuals were involved in more sessions than were subordinate individuals. The females maintained strong grooming relationships with each other and tended to reciprocate more within sessions than did males. Oestrous females engaged in more grooming bouts with adult males than did non-oestrous females. Females with newborn infants were attractive social partners for the remaining members of the group. A social function for allogrooming in Cebus is indicated by the close relationship between allogrooming, the social system and coalition formation, and by the changes in quantity and direction of grooming in response to oestrous behaviour and to the birth of infants.
在阿根廷伊瓜苏国家公园的一群野生簇绒卷尾猴（Cebus apella）中，对相互梳理毛发行为进行了分析。研究提供的证据表明，如同旧大陆猴灵长类动物一样，新大陆猴的这种相互梳理毛发行为具有重要的社会功能。采用随意取样法，在与一组猴子接触的740小时内记录了654次梳理毛发的过程。结果发现，相互梳理毛发行为的每日时间分配、每次梳理的平均时长和互动性存在季节性变化。个体的优势等级是梳理毛发关系的一个重要决定因素。占主导地位的雄性和雌性最积极参与梳理毛发行为。在成年个体中，优势个体参与的梳理过程比从属个体更多。雌性之间保持着紧密的梳理毛发关系，并且在每次梳理过程中比雄性更倾向于相互回应。处于发情期的雌性比未发情的雌性与成年雄性有更多的梳理毛发行为。携带新生幼崽的雌性对群体中的其他成员来说是有吸引力的社交伙伴。卷尾猴相互梳理毛发行为的社会功能体现在其与社会系统和联盟形成之间的紧密关系，以及梳理毛发行为的数量和方向会因发情行为和幼崽出生而发生变化。
