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Affiliative, playful, and homosexual interactions of adult female lowland gorillas

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Abstract

Over a period of seven months four wild born adult female lowland gorillas were observed under semi-natural captive conditions. Thirty instances of contact interactions were recorded during 80 hours of observation. These interactions were segregated into categories operationally defined as connoting playful, homosexual, and affiliative activities. During observation periods the animals' labial tumescence was rated and the stage of the cycle was estimated. Metacommunicative signals were involved during playful interactions which resembled social rough-and-tumble play. Sexual interactions included partner positioning, thrusting, and usually were accomplished through ventral-ventral genital approximations. Sexual activity was also significantly related to cycle state. Contact interactions appeared to represent a specification and elaboration of a trend revealed through measures of proximity.

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Author notes

  1. Robert B. Fischer

    Present address: Department of Psychology, College of William and Mary, 23185, Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S.A.

  2. Ronald D. Nadler

    Present address: Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center, 30322, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Georgia, USA

    Robert B. Fischer

Authors
  1. Robert B. Fischer
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  2. Ronald D. Nadler
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Fischer, R.B., Nadler, R.D. Affiliative, playful, and homosexual interactions of adult female lowland gorillas. Primates 19, 657–664 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02373633

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02373633

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