Publications [#260413] of John W. Terborgh

Papers Published

1. Terborgh, J; Janson, CH, The socioecology of primate groups., Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics. Vol. 17, vol. 17 no. 1 (January, 1986), pp. 111-136, ANNUAL REVIEWS [doi]
   (last updated on 2023/06/01)

   Abstract:
   Focuses on the development of theory related to possible links between environmental variables and the social organisation of primate groups. Paying attention to the adaptive basis of group structure and activity, the evolution of group size is explored by evaluating a set of predictions: 1) If enhanced protection from predators is the principal selective advantage of group living, then situations where primates are relatively free from predation should lead to reduced mean group size and/or increased variance in group size. 2) Conditions that result in intensification or relaxation of intragroup competition for feeding sites should lead, respectively, to decreases or increases in mean group size. 3) Females should enjoy maximal reproductive success in groups that are of average size for a species. Empirical support for each of these hypotheses is critically provided. The interface between ecology, group size and social structure is discussed. Increasing group size is associated with a shift from solitary living to monogamy or polyandry, to unimale polygyny to multimale polygyny. Territoriality, male parental care and male-male cooperation are discussed as correlates of the selected mating system. -P.J.Jarvis