Kin-biased spatial associations and social interactions in male and female black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra)

Research at Palenque National Park reveals that kinship significantly influences social dynamics in black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra). Female kin exhibit stronger, less aggressive relationships compared to non-kin, while males display avoidance and tolerance, with agonistic interactions more frequent among unrelated or distantly related individuals. Although adult males and females rarely co-reside with opposite-sex kin, their interactions fall between those observed in male and female groups. The study genotyped 21 microsatellite markers for 5 social groups over 28 months, linking genetic data to behavioral observations.

Van Belle, S., Estrada, A., & Di Fiore, A. (2014). Kin-biased spatial associations and social interactions in male and female black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra). Behaviour, 151(14), 2029–2057. https://doi.org/10.1163/1568539x-00003229