Embracing in a female-bonded monkey species (Theropithecus gelada).

ABSTRACT

[Correction Notice An Erratum for this article was reported online in Journal of Comparative Psychology on May 9 2019 (see record 2019-25503-001). In the article "Embracing in a Female-Bonded Monkey Species (Theropithecus gelada)" by Virginia Pallante, Pier Francesco Ferrari, Marco Gamba, and Elisabetta Palagi (Journal of Comparative Psychology, Advance online publication. March 25, 2019. http//dx.doi.org/10.1037/ com0000173), the title incorrectly read "Embracing in a Female-Bonded Monkey Specie (Theropithecus gelada)" All versions of this article have been corrected.] In several primate species, including humans, embracing predicts the level of affiliation between subjects. To explore the functional meaning of embracing, we selected Theropithecus gelada as a model species. The basic level of the gelada society is the 1-male unit, and the integrity of the group is maintained by the strong bonds between females. In our study group, we observed 3 different kinds of embracing the frontal and side embraces involving a face-to-face and chest-to-chest interaction and the posterior embrace that consists in putting the arms around conspecifics' back and posing a cheek on it. We verified that the quality of relationships between subjects predicts the type of embracing. Frontal and side embraces were more frequent between females sharing strong bonds. Posterior embracing was randomly distributed. We found a high level of female embracing among the mothers during the first months of lactation. This may improve female cohesiveness against males, thus reducing the risk of infanticide, which is particularly high in geladas. Embracing seems also to act as an ice-breaker favoring grooming. Female embracing could be an affiliative strategy that has evolved to maintain group integrity and high social cohesion among females, especially mothers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).