Bromance can make chimps more attractive

 

Bromance can make chimps more attractive: Apes that are friends with the alpha male are better at mating

• Researchers looked at thousands of chimp matings over 36 years 
• Males that groomed with the alpha were more successful at mating
• This leads to a greater number of offspring, and therefore a higher chance of passing their genes on  

By Shivali Best For Mailonline 
 9 November 2016

A new study suggests that male chimpanzees that befriend the alpha male are more successful at mating. 

This leads to a greater number of offspring, and a higher chance of passing their genes on.

A new study suggests that male chimpanzees that befriend the alpha male are more successful at mating. This leads to a greater number of offspring, and a greater chance of passing their genes on

Researchers from Arizona State University studied the behaviour of the animals over the course of 36 years, and found that male chimpanzees that befriended the top-ranking male were more successful at mating with preferred females when in the alpha male's presence.

While alpha males usually mate more than other chimpanzees, they do not have complete control over access to preferred mates.

Joel Bray, lead author of the study, said:
'Alpha males may concede mating priveleges to subordinates in exchange for social favors, such as support in fights against other males.'

The researchers' analysis revealed that subordinate males that groomed the most with the alpha, were also more successful at mating when the alpha was nearby

While the subordinate males benefit in the short-term by having the chance to mate, the alpha males gain long-term benefits by staying at the top of the hierarchy.

Mr Bray said: 'Social exchanges are thus a win-win.'

The researchers looked at several thousand matings over the course of 36 years, and eight alpha male tenures – the largest study of its kind.

Their analysis revealed that subordinate males that groomed the most with the alpha, were also more successful at mating when the alpha was nearby.

This suggests that the alpha male tolerates the subordinates' mating attempts.

Mr Bray said: 'These results are very exciting because they demonstrate one potential function of social bonds.

'Especially for subordinate males, it gives them an opportunity to mate successfully even if they are not of high rank, as long as they befriend the chimp at the top.'

Ian Gilby, co-author of the study, said: 'The next step is to investigate these relationships in more detail.

'Is grooming evenly distributed? Are alpha males more tolerant if they have recently had attention from the lower ranking male?'

'In the future, we also want to look at whether alpha males vary in the degree to which they concede matings.

'Large males that are firmly in control may have little to gain, whereas smaller alphas with a more tenuous hold on their dominance position may benefit by offering favours to subordinates to placate them or earn their support in fights.'

The findings suggest that if chimpanzees groom with the alpha male, it will tolerate the subordinates' mating attempts 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3916672/Bromance-make-chimps-attractive-Apes-friends-alpha-male-better-mating.html?ito=social-twitter_mailonline

 

 Related Observations:

CHIMPS' FRIENDS HELP THEM FEEL LESS STRESSED 

Dr Roman Wittig, from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and his colleagues looked into how chimpanzees reacted after stressful experiences, like natural encounters with a rival chimpanzee band and mimicking of rivals’ tree-drumming signals by experimenters.

They compared levels of glucocorticoids, a class of stress-related hormones, in the urine of 17 wild chimpanzees following rest, grooming, or a stressful experience.

The study showed when a chimp interacted with one of its friends during a stressful event, the level of stress hormone did not increase.

Grooming by a social partner also reduced glucocorticoid levels below those observed during resting.

These findings suggest social interactions play an important role in reducing stress levels and potentially in maintaining health.