The communicatory behaviour of the mandrill is described in detail in Chapter 5. During observations of the semi-free ranging mandrill groups at the CIRMF, the various behavioural patterns were scored using a shorthand system composed of 50 codes. The mandrills were fitted with ear tags bearing their ID numbers. Thus, it was possible to recognize them individually and to record sequences of behavioural interactions.

As an example: the code for facial threat = TH; and for fleeing = FL.

So: 2 TH 12, 12 FL 2 = female no. 2 threatens female no. 12, and female no. 12 flees from no. 2. Adding ‘Y’ to a code means that the animal concerned receives the behaviour; e.g. 12 THY 2 = female no. 12 is threatened by female no. 2.

Codes for social behaviour

Allogrooming (GR); self-grooming (SG); grinning (Z); head shake (SH); piloerection of the scalp crest (CR); lip smacking (SM); play face (PF); chasing play (CHPL); rough-and-tumble play (RT); mouth to mouth: in greeting and/or as an olfactory inspection (MM); two-phase grunting (2PG).

Codes for sexual behaviour

Male

Follow female (FO); look at sex skin (XS); sniff genital area (SN); mount attempt (ATT); half mount (HM); hip touch (HT); full mount (FM); penile erection (ER); pelvic thrusts, pre-intromission (counted) (T); pelvic thrusts, during intromission (counted) (IT); ejaculation (EJAC); mate-guarding (MG); masturbation (MAST).

Female

Sexual presentation (XPR); eye contact and sexual presentation (EX); approach and withdraw (‘parading’) (AW); running from the male after copulation has ended (RM).

Derived measures

Male initiated mount (MIM); female initiated mount (FIM); female refusal of male's mount attempt (RF); female terminates mount prior to ejaculation (FT).

Codes for socio-sexual behaviour

Presentation (male–male or female–female) (PR); mounts (male–male or female–female) (MT).

Codes for agonistic behaviour (including avoidance and displacement)

Non-contact aggression

Stare (ST); head bob (HB); ground slap (GS); lunge (LU); chase (CH).

Contact aggression

Hit or grab (RA); bite (BI).

Submissive behaviour

Flee (FL); squeal (SQ); grimace (GM); duck face (DK).

Avoidance and displacement

Avoid (AV); displace (DI).

Other coded patterns

Branch shaking display (BR); ‘Tension’ yawn (Y); chest-rub (scent-marking with the sternal gland) (CU).