Population density, spatial dynamics and territoriality in vervet monkeys

Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) are generally described as a territorial species, though variations in territoriality have been observed. This research examined the impact of high population density, large group sizes and extensively overlapping home ranges on the expression of territoriality in a population of vervet monkeys. Over a period of eighteen months, data were collected on three large troops of vervet monkeys (PTN = 31, RBMN = 39, RSTN = 57) on the Samara Game Reserve, South Africa. I examined the spatial dynamics demonstrated in this population, assed the extent and use of home range overlap and examined the occurrence of intertroop encounters in relation to mate defence, resource defence and home range defence. The home ranges of the troops in this study population overlap substantially, and overlap areas are exploited extensively. The frequency of occurrence of intertroop encounters does not increase in the mating season, nor is there evidence of the defence of particular food patches or home range defence. The findings from this thesis emphasize the importance of examining the expression of territoriality of a population within the context of its environment.

Authors

• Thomas, Brittany L
• University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science

• Cercopithecus aethiops -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Samara Game Reserve
• Social behavior in animals -- Research -- South Africa -- Samara Game Reserve
• Dissertations, Academic

Identifier

hdl:10133/3456

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.uleth.ca:10133/3456