Results & Discussion

Fig. 1

Proportion of scan samples recorded by subject proximity

Fig. 2

Proportion of affiliative and agonistic social behaviors performed by each subject

Fig. 3

Proportion of affiliative behaviors initiated by each subject. Asterisks indicate a statistically significant difference between Kip and Skittles's proportions of initiation

Discussion

Skittles was found to almost never initiate play behavior, which is less commonly initiated by an individual in a maternal role4
Following behavior is also most common among parents and their offspring, meaning the >30% of samples taken showing close proximity or contact indicate a parental relationship2
Embracing is a key maternal behavior, very rarely observed in sibling relationships2
Skittles performed a majority of food sharing behaviors, and was observed to even bring food to Kip from across the habitat on occasion. Unidirectional food sharing is most common from the socially dominant parents in gibbon social groups5

References

2Brockelman, W., Reichard, U., Treesucon, U. et al. Dispersal, pair formation and social structure in gibbons (Hylobates lar). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 42, 329–339 (1998). 4Lappan, S. (2009). Patterns of Infant Care in Wild Siamangs (Symphalangus syndactylus) in Southern Sumatra. In: Whittaker, D., Lappan, S. (eds) The Gibbons. Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88604-6_16 Schessler, 5T., Nash, L.T. Food sharing among captive gibbons (Hylobates lar). Primates 18, 677–689 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02383142

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