Biomaterial Database

Altruistic interference shown by the alpha-female of a captive troop of rhesus monkeys. 1986

V Reinhardt, and R Dodsworth, and J Scanlan

Interferences in aggressive disputes were recorded in a captive troop of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) comprising 19 mature females, 2 mature males and 12 immatures. The top ranking animal - the oldest female, Alpha, 23 years of age - was the only one who consistently interfered in favor of victims, never of aggressors. This protective, dispute-breaking strategy was distinguished by the following facts: None of the supported monkeys shared genes with Alpha; Alpha had no preference for aiding particular individuals; Alpha's high-risk interference (against aggressors) was never reciprocated; and (4) there was no evidence that Alpha's strategy aimed at the improvement of dominance standing. It was concluded that Alpha's behavior may represent an example of altruism.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007398	Interpersonal Relations	The reciprocal interaction of two or more persons.	Social Relationships,Husband-Wife Communication,Partner Communication,Communication, Husband-Wife,Communication, Partner,Husband Wife Communication,Husband-Wife Communications,Interpersonal Relation,Partner Communications,Relation, Interpersonal,Relationship, Social,Social Relationship
D008251	Macaca	A genus of the subfamily CERCOPITHECINAE, family CERCOPITHECIDAE, consisting of 16 species inhabiting forests of Africa, Asia, and the islands of Borneo, Philippines, and Celebes.	Ape, Barbary,Ape, Black,Ape, Celebes,Barbary Ape,Black Ape,Celebes Ape,Macaque,Apes, Barbary,Apes, Black,Apes, Celebes,Barbary Apes,Black Apes,Celebes Apes,Macacas,Macaques
D008253	Macaca mulatta	A species of the genus MACACA inhabiting India, China, and other parts of Asia. The species is used extensively in biomedical research and adapts very well to living with humans.	Chinese Rhesus Macaques,Macaca mulatta lasiota,Monkey, Rhesus,Rhesus Monkey,Rhesus Macaque,Chinese Rhesus Macaque,Macaca mulatta lasiotas,Macaque, Rhesus,Rhesus Macaque, Chinese,Rhesus Macaques,Rhesus Macaques, Chinese,Rhesus Monkeys
D008297	Male		Males
D005260	Female		Females
D000374	Aggression	Behavior which may be manifested by destructive and attacking action which is verbal or physical, by covert attitudes of hostility or by obstructionism.	Aggressions
D000533	Altruism	Belief or practice of selfless concern for others.	Humanitarianism,Prosocial Behavior,Behavior, Prosocial,Behaviors, Prosocial,Prosocial Behaviors
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia