Socially bonded females face more sexual coercion in a female-philopatric primate

• Published in: iScience 2023-10, Vol.26 (10), p.107358-107358, Article 107358
• Main Authors: Smit, Nikolaos, Dezeure, Jules, Sauvadet, Loïc, Huchard, Elise, Charpentier, Marie J.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ethology; Life Sciences; Social interaction
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107358

Sexual coercion is a manifestation of sexual conflict increasing male mating success while inflicting costs to females. Although previous work has examined inter-individual variation in male sexually coercive tactics, little is known about female counter-strategies. We investigated whether social bonding mitigates the extent of sexual coercion faced by female mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx), as a putative mechanism linking sociality to fitness. Surprisingly, females faced the most coercion from those males with whom they formed the strongest bonds, while the strength of a female-male bond was also positively correlated with coercion from all other males. Finally, greater social integration in the female network was positively correlated with coercion, through a direct ‘public exposure’ mechanism and not mediated by female reproductive success or retaliation potential. Altogether, this study shows that neither between- nor within-sex bonds are protective against sexual coercion and identifies, instead, a hidden cost of social bonding. [Display omitted] •Female mandrills faced the most sexual coercion from their top male partners•Females that are overall more bonded with adult males faced more sexual coercion•Females more integrated in the female social network faced more sexual coercion•Overall, this study shows that social bonds can be a risk factor for sexual coercion Social interaction; Ethology