Intergroup conflicts among chimpanzees in Taï National Park: lethal violence and the female perspective
Abstract
Intercommunity aggression in chimpanzees and primitive warfare in humans possess striking similarities, such as the common occurrence of large male coalitions, systematic control of territory boundaries, and lethal attacks on isolated individuals from neighboring groups. However, an important apparent contrast is the absence of recurrent peaceful interactions between neighboring groups of chimpanzees. We observed a remarkable range of behavior in intergroup encounters among three habituated communities of chimpanzees in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire. Lethal attacks are documented in these study groups for the first time, as well as year‐long exchanges of parous adult females and peaceful intergroup visits of mothers with infants. Demographic factors, including group size and number of adult males, are shown to affect the nature of intergroup interactions in ways not considered previously. A reconsideration of the difference in intergroup interactions between eastern and western chimpanzees is proposed including a more important consideration of the female's perspective. The inclusion of the new complexities in intergroup interactions in chimpanzees allows new parallels to be drawn with the evolution of primitive warfare in humans. Am. J. Primatol. 70:519–532, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
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Wild chimpanzees in almost all long-term field sites engage in competitive intergroup conflicts.
“Wild chimpanzees in almost all long-term field sites engage in competitive intergroup conflicts (10, 11), which are characterized by two sets of behavior (Movie S1), intergroup encounters and border patrols.”
From Oxytocin reactivity during intergroup conflict in wild chimpanzees (2017) · cites this paper as [11]
Like humans, chimpanzee societies exhibit intragroup coordination and coalitionary support during violent intergroup conflicts.
“Like humans, chimpanzee societies exhibit intragroup coordination and coalitionary support during violent intergroup conflicts.”
From Oxytocin reactivity during intergroup conflict in wild chimpanzees (2017) · cites this paper as [11]
The fundamental need for within-group support in times of rising between-group conflict is not uniquely human but apparently also present in one of our closest living relatives, the chimpanzee.
“The fundamental need for within-group support in times of rising between-group conflict is not uniquely human but apparently also present in one of our closest living relatives, the chimpanzee (11, 17).”
From Oxytocin reactivity during intergroup conflict in wild chimpanzees (2017) · cites this paper as [11]
The risk of intergroup infanticide and female hostage taking by rival groups are substantial threats for females.
“the risk of intergroup infanticide and female hostage taking by rival groups are substantial threats for females (10, 11)”
From Oxytocin reactivity during intergroup conflict in wild chimpanzees (2017) · cites this paper as [11]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Boesch, C., Crockford, C., Herbinger, I., Wittig, R., Moebius, Y., & Normand, E.
- Affiliations
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (DE)
- Swiss Centre for Scientific Research (CI)
- Corresponding author
- Boesch, Christophe
- Venue
- American Journal of Primatology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2008-01-23
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 519-532
- ISSN
- 0275-2565 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-2345
- OpenAlex
- W2042457103
- Cited by
- 232
- References
- 71
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 47 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 15.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Primatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
- MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Keywords
- chimpanzees, intergroup conflict, lethal violence, intergroup aggression, women's perspectives, intergroup exchange, maternal behavior, group size, male coalitions, territoriality, Taï National Park
- MeSH terms
- Aggression, Animals, Behavior, Animal, Pan troglodytes, Female, Cote d'Ivoire, Male, Sex Characteristics, Time Factors
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