Coordination during group departures and group progressions in the tolerant multilevel society of wild Guinea baboons (Papio papio)

ObjectivesMost primate species live in groups, and temporal and spatial coordination of activities of individuals is essential for maintaining group cohesion, and there is still considerable debate to which degree social organization, the extent of despotism, and resource distribution shape group coordination processes. As different baboon species exhibit considerable variation in all of these factors, they constitute an excellent test case to resolve this debate.\n\nMaterials and MethodsWe analyzed group departures and progressions of Guinea baboons, Papio papio, in the Niokolo Koba National Park in Senegal. Guinea baboons live in a multi-level society with strong male bonds and a lack of a clear dominance hierarchy between males.\n\nResultsTwo-thirds of departures were initiated by adult males, and one third by adult females. Although initiators were more likely to signal than followers, signaling did not affect the initiation success. During group progression, males that were not affiliated with females were predominantly found in the front, while affiliated males, females and young were observed more frequently closer to the center of the group, and no preferences for rear positions. Overall, affiliated subjects were more likely to depart and travel together.\n\nDiscussionThe group departures in Guinea baboons differed strikingly from the elaborate negotiation behaviors among male hamadryas baboons, Papio hamadryas. We did not observe that specific individuals dominated the group coordination. Neither social organization, variation in despotism, nor resource distribution alone explain variation between species. Future studies should test whether specific combinations of factors promote the occurrence of negotiation processes.\n\nResearch HighlightsO_LIIn wild Guinea baboons, both adult males and females initiated group departures\nC_LIO_LIInitiators signaled during departures, but this did not affect initiation success\nC_LIO_LISolitary males were predominantly found at the front during group progression\nC_LI