The Evolution of Primate Societies

This is an amazing and voluminous compilation of 32 papers by 39 authors in 5 parts, representing a significant update on the previous such compilation a quarter of a century ago [Smuts et al., 1987].What is so exciting is that it embraces a shift from classic field observations to multidisciplinary experimentation -a blend of behavioural, genetic, neurobiological, physiological and cognitive.The aim is a full coverage of species with careful evaluations of explanatory frameworks for all major aspects of primate societies, including humans.Ideas are tested on evolutionary origins in relation to sociology and ecology; there is investigation as to how mental abilities might be explicable from pressures arising in nature.Another driving force is the need to accelerate scientific studies of behavioural and cognitive evolution, given that 48% of primates are endangered.A theoretical rationale for many subsequent studies was provided by behavioural ecology in the 1960s and 1970s.The vitality and rigour of current field studies depend on assimilating recent developments in the biological sciences.Never has there been a better time to achieve the integrative potential and unify the sister disciplines in social and biological sciences, through the synthesis of primate behavioural research to highlight the significance of primatology to animal behaviour, anthropology, cognitive sciences, economics, genetics and psychology.The 5 parts are: (1) Primate Behavioural Diversity, 6 chapters, with introduction and taxonomy -'Strepsirhines and tarsiers' (P.M. Kappeler), 'New World monkeys' (E.Fernandez-Duque, A. Di Fiore, M. Huck), 'Colobine monkeys' (E.H.M. Sterck), 'Cercopithecine monkeys' (M.Cords), 'The apes' (D.P. Watts).There is a similar format throughout; it is an impressive synthesis, providing an excellent basis for the other parts.There are excellent comparative tables, especially for New World monkeys and colobine monkeys (leaf monkeys and surilis are all langurs!).(2) Surviving and Growing-Up in a Difficult and Dangerous World, 7 chapters -'Food as a selective force' (C.A. Chapman, J.M. Rothman, J.E. Lambert), 'Predation' (C.Fichtel), 'Ecological and social influences on sociality' (O.Schulke, J, Ostner), 'Life history evolution' (C.P. van Schaik, K. Isler), 'Socialisation and development of behaviour' (E.V. Lonsdorf, S.R. Ross), 'Genetic consequences of social organisation' (A.Di Fiore), 'Human survival and life history in evolutionary perspective' (M.Gurven).The key adaptive problems are centred on feeding, predation, conspecifics (gregarious), precocity, and dispersal -an excellent blend of old and new research.Feeding is the strongest selective force -a very stimulating review -affecting every aspect of primate biology; there is a need for research on nutritional ecology.Predation is also a strong selective force, with a need for more research on nocturnal primates, on the selfish versus the nepotistic function of alarm calls, and the effect of predation on the evolution of primate social systems.The puzzles of social relationships are massive.In a synthesis of human behavioural ecology, the focus is on dual inheritance theory and evolutionary psychology, including functional design of the mind, trait changes over time, role of social and physical ecology in shaping history, and whether behavioural diversity is shaped by environment, cultural trajectory, genetic variation or a mixture of all.