Harassment behavior during mounting was observed in a group of moor macaques (
Macaca maurus) in Sulawesi, Indonesia. During the study periods in 1994 and 1995, most harassment was performed by juveniles less than
5 years old. No harassment by adult females was observed. Mounting by the α-male, who had newly immigrated to the group, was
harassed more frequently than that by the β-male in 1994. In 1995, the frequency of harassment during mounting by the α-male
was low as compared with that in 1994. In the case of the new α-male, harassment occurred more frequently during mounting
with sexually tumescent females than during mounting with detumescent females. Harassment was rarely observed during mounting
by natal males of the group. Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain harassment of mounting in primates. The present
results offer support for the following two hypotheses: (1) harassment is an attempt to establish a social bond between the
performer and the mounting individuals; or (2) harassment occurs in response to mounting by unfamiliar males.
Key Words Moor macaques -
Macaca maurus
- Mounting - Harassment - Immigrated male