Skip to main content
Log in

Social stimulation and the resumption of copulation in Rhesus (Macaca mulatto) and stumptail (Macaca arctoides) Macaques

  • Published:
International Journal of Primatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Copulatory data derived from observations of social groups of rhesus and stumptail macaques were analyzed to test the hypothesis that pairs of animals would resume copulation significantly sooner if a second male copulated with the female shortly after the first male’s ejaculation. Data from both groups supported the hypothesis. These results, extending previous studies in Macaca nemestrina,suggest that the shortening of copulatory intervals by social stimuli occurs in several species, both in social groups and in experimentally created triads. These findings also are consistent with the hypothesis that socially mediated resumption of mating is related to intrasexual competition among males.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adler, N. T. (1969). Effects of the male’s copulatory behavior on successful pregnancy of the female rat.J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 69: 613–622.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adler, N. T., and Zoloth, S. R. (1970). Copulatory behavior can inhibit pregnancy in female rats.Science 168: 1481–1483.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Altmann, J. (1974). Observational study of behaviour: Sampling methods.Behaviour 49:228–267

    Google Scholar 

  • Bielert, C. F., and Goy, R. W. (1973). Sexual behavior of male rhesus: Effects of repeated ejaculation and partners’ cycle stage.Horm. Behav. 4: 109–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Busse, C. D., and Estep, D. Q. (1984). Sexual arousal in male pigtailed monkeys (Macaca nemestrina): Effects of serial matings by two males.J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 98:227–231.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dewsbury, D. A. (1972). Patterns of copulatory behavior in male mammals.Q. Rev. Biol. 47:1–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dewsbury, D. A. (1979). Copulatory behavior of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). II. A study of some factors regulating the fine structure of behavior.J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 93: 161–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dewsbury, D. A. (1981a). Effects of novelty on copulatory behavior: The Coolidge effect and related phenomena.Psychol. Bull. 89: 464–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dewsbury, D. A. (1981b). On the function of the multiple-intromission, multiple-ejaculation copulatory patterns of rodents.Bull. Psychon. Soc. 18: 221–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldfoot, D. A., Slob, A. K., Scheffler, G., Robinson, J. A., Wiegand, S. J., and Cords, J. (1975). Multiple ejaculations during prolonged sexual tests and lack of resultant testosterone increases in male stumptail macaques (M. arctoides).Arch. sex. Behav. 4: 547–560.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, T. P. (1981). Reproductive behavior in the rhesus monkey: Social and endocrine variables.Am. Zool. 21: 185–195.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, T. P., and Bernstein, I. S. (1973). Seasonal variation in sexual behavior of an all-male rhesus troop.Am. J. phys. Anthrop. 38: 221–225.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, M., and Adler, N. T. (1977). Facilitative and inhibitory influences of reproductive behavior on sperm transport in rats.J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 91: 727–741.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McClintock, M. K. (1981). Simplicity from complexity: A naturalistic approach to behavior and neuroendocrine function. In Silverman, I. (ed.),Laboratory Life: New Directions for Methodology of Social and Behavior Science, 8, Josey-Bass, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • McClintock, M. K., Anisko, J. J., and Adler, N. T. (1982). Group mating among Norway rats. II. The social dynamics of copulation: Competition, cooperation, and mate choice.Anim. Behav. 30: 410–425.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michael, R. P., and Saayman, G. S. (1967). Individual differences in the sexual behavior of male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatto) under laboratory conditions.Anim. Behav. 15: 460–466.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Missakian, E. A., Del Rio, L. R., and Myers, R. E. (1969). Reproductive behavior of captive male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatto).Comm. Behav. Biol. 4: 231–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Niemeyer, C., and Chamove, A. S. (1983). Motivation of harassment of matings in stumptailed macaques.Behaviour 87: 298–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roonwal, M. L., and Mohnot, S. M. (1977).Primates of South Asia: Ecology, Sociobiololgy and Behavior, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawrey, D. K., and Dewsbury, D. A. (1981). Effects of space on the copulatory behavior of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus).Bull. Psychon. Soc. 17: 249–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silverberg, A., and Adler, N. (1974). Modulation of the copulatory sequence of the male rat by a schedule of reinforcement.Science 185: 374–376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thornhill, R., and Alcock, J. (1983).The Evolution of Insect Mating Systems, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waage, J. K. (1979). Dual function of the damselfly penis: Sperm removal and transfer.Science 203: 916–918.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, M. L., Wilson, M. E., and Gordon, T. P. (1984). Endocrine control of the seasonal occurrence of ovulation in rhesus monkeys housed outdoors.Endocrinology 114: 1074–1081.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wallen, K. (1982). Influence of female hormonal state on rhesus sexual behavior varies with space for social interaction.Science 217: 375–377.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, J. R., Kuehn, R. E., and Beach, F. A. (1963). Modification in the sexual behavior of male rats produced by changing the stimulus female.J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 56: 636–644.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Estep, D.Q., Gordon, T.P., Wilson, M.E. et al. Social stimulation and the resumption of copulation in Rhesus (Macaca mulatto) and stumptail (Macaca arctoides) Macaques. Int J Primatol 7, 507–517 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02693661

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02693661

Key words

Navigation