On Forms and Functions of Primate Parochialism

• Applicant: Dr. Claudia Fichtel
• Subject Area: Sensory and Behavioural Biology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 575179400

Primate prosociality tends to be in-group bounded, differentiating in-groups from neighbouring out-groups. Such parochialism may be an emergent property of group-living or, alternatively, evolved due to recurrent intergroup competition and conflict. What thus far remained ignored, however, is that these contrasting perspectives imply different hypotheses about form and function of primate pro-sociality. We examine these with behavioural observations and lab(in-the-field) experiments in wild red-fronted lemurs and captive rhesus macaques. Our set-up can (i) reveal whether and how intergroup conflict shapes (parochial) pro-sociality, and (ii) specify behavioural, neuroendocrine, and (epi)genetic underpinnings of cooperation and conflict in (non)human primate societies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Netherlands
• Partner Organisation: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO)
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Jorg Massen, Ph.D.