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Pan Troglodytes) University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 12-2005 Exploring Behavior and Social Relationships of a Captive Group of Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) Crystal E. Anderson University of Tennessee - Knoxville Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Part of the Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Anderson, Crystal E., "Exploring Behavior and Social Relationships of a Captive Group of Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2005. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/579 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Crystal E. Anderson entitled "Exploring Behavior and Social Relationships of a Captive Group of Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Master of Arts, with a major in Psychology. Richard Saudargas, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: Gordon Burghardt, Debora Baldwin Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Crystal Elizabeth Anderson entitled "Exploring Behavior and Social Relationships ofa Captive Group ofChimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)." I have examined the final paper copy ofthis thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements for the degree ofMaster ofArts, with a major in Psychology. We have read this thesis and recommend its accept ~don Burghardt (I . --P~/)~ Debora Baldwin EXPLORING BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL RELATrONSHIPS OF A CAPTIVE GROUP OF CHIMPANZEES (Pan troglodytes) A Thesis Presented for the Master ofArts Degree The University ofTennessee, Knoxville Crystal Elizabeth Anderson December 2005 DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my family for their unwavering support, guidance, and love. They have been my inspiration, guiding me through this journey. Life is made to give and not to take, for it is in giving that we truly receive. As we receive the true knowledge which is inherent within us, that knowledge is used wisely in service. ---Gururaj Ananda Yogi 11 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank those who have provided me with encouragement and guidance throughout my graduate career and those who have contributed in some way to this thesis. I would like to thank the Knoxville Zoo for providing me with the opportunity to study their amazing chimpanzee group, and their staff, particularly the Primate Department, for providing valuable information and suggestions. My deepest gratitude goes to my advisor, Dr. Richard Saudargas, for his endless patience and guidance, and my thesis committee members, Dr. Gordon Burghardt and Dr. Debora Baldwin, for their time and energy in seeing me through this process. I would like to give a special thank you to David Hamilton, former Knoxville Zoo's Curator of Conservation and Science, for his support and assistance during all stages ofthis thesis. Michael Oneil, ofthe Statistical Consulting Center at the University ofTennessee, provided invaluable statistical guidance. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the dedicated hard work ofthe data collectors and data entry students for their assistance and contributions to this research. III - ABSTRACT An observational study was conducted on a captive group ofchimpanzee, Pan troglodytes, to determine the overall behavior patterns, social organization, grooming relationships, and enclosure usage. Adolescence is a very dynamic time for young males and new group dynamics were expected to occur. The aim ofthe study was to investigate any shifting ofsocial bonds among the group members and changes in the ranks ofthe two adolescent males. The two adolescent males (Lu and Mugsy) should have been demonstrating dominance behaviors towards the females, towards each other, and exhibiting sexual behaviors. Due to the unique group composition and the hand­ rearing/peer-rearing background ofthe males, this study also attempted to assess ifthe males ofthe group expressed species and sex-specific behaviors characteristic ofhealthy, socially capable male chimpanzees. A variety ofbehaviors were examined to determine interindividual relationships and to predict which male will be the next alpha individual; however, due to the low frequency ofoccurrence ofdominance and submissive behaviors, proximity and grooming data were the primary behavioral measures. The data revealed that the males did not exhibit behaviors characteristic oftheir age and sex. The group remained in a stable state throughout the observation period with no observable status striving behaviors. Overall activity levels were low, with each group member having been stationary for 50%-68% ofthe observable time. The males did not exhibit sexual behaviors or interest in grooming the females while they were in swell. The group distributed nearly equal amounts ofgrooming to each male and both males spent nearly equal amounts oftime in proximity to other members ofthe group. Mugsy, however, groomed others significantly more than Lu. Based on previous research, those that groom others more tend to be subordinate. The grooming data analyses determined the group's hierarchical structure to be Debbie < Kerry < Julie < Lu < Mugsy. The data also indicated that Lu is likely to be the next alpha individual when Debbie's status declines as she continues to age. Enclosure usage varied for the males and the females ofthe group. The patterns ofenclosure usage replicated the natural fission-fusion social structure found in wild chimpanzees. The females were found to distribute the majority oftheir time near the waterfall/second viewing area and the males distributed their time near the first and second viewing area. Although the males and females were most often in separate groups, occasionally they were observed in one group moving through the enclosure or foraging and feeding together. Overall, this captive group ofchimpanzees did not demonstrate behavior characteristic oftheir sex and age. A variety offactors may have contributed to the observed behavior patterns, such as the lack ofmixed-ages for each sex, lack ofadult male role models, hand/peer-rearing ofthe adolescent males, and the presence ofa strong female coalition; however, this study could not distinguish among these factors. IV TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION . I Chimpanzee Natural History '" 4 Adolescent Males . 6 Dominance Hierarchy . 9 Grooming . 12 Captive Rearing Conditions and Social Group Composition . 14 Knoxville Zoo Chimpanzees . 17 II. METHODS . 20 Subjects .. 20 Females .. 21 Males . 21 Enclosures .. 23 Outdoors . 23 Indoors . 23 Dependant Variables· . 23 Procedure . 26 Interobserver Reliability . 27 Data Analysis . 27 III. RESULTS . 29 Overall Behavior Analysis ofFocal Individuals . 29 Lu . 29 Mugsy . 29 Debbie . 31 Kerry . 31 Julie . 32 Male Adolescent and Dominance Behavior. 32 Exploring Grooming . 33 Comparing Grooming and Proximity Data for the Males .. 34 Comparing Grooming . 34 Comparing Proximity . 36 Grooming and Female Reproductive Condition .. 36 Exhibit Usage .. 39 IV. DISCUSSION . 42 Overall Behavior. .. 42 Adolescent Male and Dominance Behavior . 43 Group Hierarchy . 47 Next Alpha IndividuaL .. 48 Grooming and Female Reproductive Condition . 50 v Exhibit Usage... ... .. ... .. 51 Conclusion... .. ... .. .. .. 51 BIBLIOGRAPHy......................................................... 53 APPENDICES.................................................................................. 61 A............................................................................... 62 B............................................................................... 70 C............................................................................... 74 VITA.......................................................................... 78 VI LIST OF TABLES Tables Page 1. Chimpanzee subjects at the Knoxville Zoo. 20 2. Mean percent time each chimpanzee was proximal to other members. 32 3. Mean percent time each chimpanzee spent grooming themselves and 33 other members ofthe group. 4. The number ofdays each male was engaged in a grooming relationship 39 with each female during her reproductive cycle. AI. Mean percent time each focal chimpanzee spent in general state 74 behaviors for greater than I% ofthe time visible time. A2. Mean percent time grooming was given to each male by other members 76 ofthe group. A3. Mean percent time grooming was given to other members ofthe group 76 by the males. A4. Mean percent time all group members were in proximity to each male. 77 VB LIST OF FIGURES Figures Page I. Mugsy and Lu's weight in kilograms over time. 22 2. Outdoor exhibit area. Lines and numbers represent arbitrary delineation 24 ofthe exhibit to determine exhibit usage. 3. Indoor courtyard with night quarters. 25 4. Mean percent time (±SE) each focal chimpanzee spent in general state 30 behaviors for greater than 1% ofthe visible
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