Female Dominance over Males in Primates
Author Information
Author(s): Charlotte K. Hemelrijk, Jan Wantia, Karin Isler
Primary Institution: University of Groningen
Hypothesis
Does female dominance over males depend on group composition or sexual dimorphism?
Conclusion
Female dominance over males in primates is influenced more by group composition than by sexual dimorphism.
Supporting Evidence
- Female dominance increases with the percentage of males in the group.
- The correlation between female dominance and male percentage is stronger in despotic species than in egalitarian ones.
- Sexual dimorphism does not significantly correlate with female dominance across the studied species.
Takeaway
In groups with more males, females tend to be more dominant, but this isn't because of size differences between the sexes.
Methodology
The study used a correlative approach comparing female dominance across 22 primate species and employed the method of independent contrasts.
Potential Biases
Potential biases from the selection of species and the context of the studies included.
Limitations
The study's findings may not apply to all primate species, especially those with extreme dominance hierarchies.
Participant Demographics
The study analyzed data from 22 different primate species.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website