Regional and individual differences in tolerance and genetic polymorphisms in of Japanese macaques

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25780389
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Educational psychology
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: YAMADA Kazunori 大阪大学, 人間科学研究科, 講師 (80506999)
• Research Collaborator: NOBUHARA Toshikazu 淡路島モンキーセンター ; NOBUHARA Hisami 淡路島モンキーセンター ; Turner Sarah Concordia University, Geography, Planning and Environment, Assistant Professor ; KAIGAISHI Yu 大阪大学, 人間科学研究科
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 比較行動学 / 霊長類学 / 行動遺伝学 / 寛容性 / ニホンザル / 個体差

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The research of individual differences in animal behavior helps us to understand the evolution of human personality. The Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) is categorized as one of the most despotic species in the genus Macaca. Dominant monkeys can unilaterally attack subordinates without counter-aggression and monopolize provisions. In this study, I conducted the food provisioning experiments and cooperative problem solving task in the free-ranging groups of Japanese macaques. The Katsuyama and Shoodoshima groups showed despotic social structures. On the other hand, the monkeys in Awajishima groups were highly tolerant and enable to solve the cooperative food-retrieval tasks. I found that the differences between the tolerance levels of the three groups are related to polymorphisms of the candidate genes for aggressive behavior. These results indicated that individual differences in tolerance of Japanese macaques may reflect genetic background.

Free Research Field

比較行動学