Ontogeny of dominance in free-living spotted hyaenas: juvenile rank relations with other immature individuals

doi:10.1006/anbe.1993.1214

Animal Behaviour

Volume 46, Issue 3, September 1993, Pages 451-466

https://doi.org/10.1006/anbe.1993.1214 Get rights and content

Abstract

Abstract. This study documents the development of rank relations between free-living juvenile spotted hyaenas, Crocuta crocuta, and (1) members of the peer cohort, (2) older non-sibling juveniles, and (3) older siblings. All agonistic interactions observed among 67 juvenile members of one large spotted hyaena clan were recorded, both in natural contexts and following experimental presentation of food. Within peer groups, juveniles of both sexes initially exhibited aggression and appeasement without regard to their social partners' maternal ranks. This changed during ontogeny such that juveniles came to direct aggression only towards peers from lower-ranking matrilines, and only appeased peers from higher-ranking matrilines. By 6-8 months of age, intra-cohort ranks were highly correlated with maternal rank. The same age-related trends found in juveniles' interactions with peers were also observed in aggressive and appeasement interactions between younger and older juveniles, despite their differences in body size. However, juveniles directed a greater number of coalitionary attacks against older juveniles than against peers. Presence of mothers during their offspring's aggressive interactions strongly influenced interaction outcomes of juveniles less than 6 months of age. At approximately 8 months of age, juveniles rapidly outranked their older siblings, who had previously dominated them. Juveniles 12-36 months old could be ordered in a linear hierarchy in which ranks were transitive and isomorphic with maternal ranks. Ontogenetic trends in outcomes of rank-related interactions revealed no significant sex differences. Female dominance, characteristic of rank relations among adult hyaenas, was not expressed among juveniles in their natal clan.

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Citation Excerpt :
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Regular ArticleOntogeny of dominance in free-living spotted hyaenas: juvenile rank relations with other immature individuals

Abstract

Regular Article
Ontogeny of dominance in free-living spotted hyaenas: juvenile rank relations with other immature individuals