The recognition of social alliances by vervet monkeys

Abstract

Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) are significantly more likely to threaten a particular individual if they have previously been involved in a fight with that individual's close kin. They thus show evidence of recognizing that certain individuals associate regularly with each other. Vervets over the age of 3 years are also significantly more likely to threaten a particular individual if that individual's close kin and their own close kin have previously been involved in a fight. It therefore seems possible that adult vervets can recognize, from experience, that certain sorts of relationships share similar characteristics, regardless of the individuals involved.