Abstract
In certain Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) populations, females routinely engage in same-sex courtship, mounting, and consortship activity. Drawing on behavioral, biogeographic, and genetic research, we suggest that female homosexual behavior may be associated with genetically distinct free-ranging populations of Japanese macaques. In addition, we briefly discuss the implications of this research for the evolution of female homosexual behavior in this species.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Mike Huffman, Jean-Baptiste Leca, Doug VanderLaan, Lesley Terry, and one anonymous reviewer. P.L.V. was funded by the University of Lethbridge and by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada Discovery Grant. H.J. was funded by a NSERC Discovery Grant and by a NSERC University Faculty Award.
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Vasey, P.L., Jiskoot, H. The Biogeography and Evolution of Female Homosexual Behavior in Japanese Macaques. Arch Sex Behav 39, 1439–1441 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-009-9518-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-009-9518-2