The formation of red colobus–diana monkey associations under predation pressure from chimpanzees

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Abstract
It is generally assumed that most primates live in mono–specific or poly–specific groups because group–living provides protection against predation, but hard evidence is scarce. We tested the anti–predation hypothesis with observational and experimental data on mixed–species groups of red colobus (Procolobus badius) and diana monkeys (Cercopithecus diana) in the Taï National Park, Ivory Coast. Red colobus, but not diana monkeys, are frequently killed by cooperatively hunting chimpanzees. Association rates peaked during the chimpanzees' hunting season, due to changes in the behaviour of the red colobus. In addition, playbacks of recordings of chimpanzee sounds induced the formation of new associations and extended the duration of existing associations. No such effects were observed in reaction to control experiments and playbacks of leopard recordings.
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