Communication and social behavior of captive slow lorises (Nycticebus coucang)

Author

Roberta N. Chinn, University of the Pacific

Date of Award

1980

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Department

Graduate Studies

First Advisor

Roseann J. Hannon

First Committee Member

Richard Tenaza

Second Committee Member

Martin T. Gipson

Abstract

Communication and. social behavior of a prosimian primate, Nycticebus coucang, were studied to gain a better understanding of communication and social behaviors of the Order Primates. Four adult females, two adult males, and one juvenile male were the subjects for the study. The focal animal technique was used to observe communicative and social behavior. Vocal behaviors were sonagraphically analyzed. Probability of occurrence was calculated for all behavior categories observed. Conditional probabilities were calculated for the eight most frequently occurring behaviors in a lag sequential analysis. Results of the probability of occurrence analysis showed that agonistic behaviors occurred rarely or not at all, depending on the individual, and that there were few differences between the behavior of males and females. Results of the lag sequential analysis showed that there were no clear sequences of behavior. Results of the sonagraphic analysis showed that vocal behaviors could reach ultra-sonic levels. Differences between the present data and comparative data presented in other studies of prosimians are discussed, as are problems with the lag sequential analysis.

Pages

43

Recommended Citation

Chinn, Roberta N.. (1980). Communication and social behavior of captive slow lorises (Nycticebus coucang). University of the Pacific, Thesis. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/2039