Emergence of sex-segregated behavior and association patterns in juvenile spider monkeys

Abstract

Sex-segregation occurs in a number of mammals, and is typically attributed to differences in body size, reproductive energetics, or social roles. Although most primates remain in cohesive groups, spider monkeys exhibit fission-fusion dynamics and sex-segregated association patterns. Here, I present results on sex differences in behavior and subgrouping in juvenile spider monkeys. I found that the monkeys exhibit several aspects of sex-differentiated behavioral and grouping patterns that emerge despite the fact that both sexes ranged with their mothers. I conclude that juvenile spider monkeys exhibit sex-segregated behavior and association patterns earlier than previously reported for this species. Because the hypotheses regarding body size dimorphism and reproductive energetics do not apply to these juveniles, I attribute these differences to social roles.