| The zoo is an important form of ex-situ conservation for animals, and can create breeding populations of rare and endangered animals. However, the zoo environment (e.g. restricted cage space and the chronic presence of human managers and visitors) has great influence on animals'development and reproduction. So it is useful for us to conduct behavioral studies of animals in zoos so as to develop long-term effective management policy. Between September 2008 and February 2009, we collected data on time budget, activity pattern and social behavior from one group of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) and one group of capuchin monkeys (Cebus capuchinus) in Nannin Zoo, Guangxi province. The major object is to explore how the zoo environment affects the behavior of these primates. The main results were as following:1 Time budget: During the study period, squire monkeys spent an average of 45.74% of daytime on moving, 27.94% on resting (including 9.17% on sun-bathing), 15.93% on feeding. Little time was spent on playing and other behavior, averaging 9.12% and 1.27%, respectively. In capuchin monkeys, they spent on average of 51.57% daytime on resting (including 4.39% on sun-bathing), 21.90% on feeding, and 13.88% on moving. Little time spent on playing and other behavior, averaging 1.00% and 11.65%, respectively. Their time budgets differed among different sex-age classes, and showed similar pattern. Juveniles spent more time playing and moving, whereas adults devoted more time resting. Compared to adult males, adult females spent more time feeding, and less time moving. The diurnal activity pattern of squire monkeys showed morning, noon and afternoon feeding peaks, with a midday resting peak. Moving was more common in the morning and afternoon relative to midday. There was not significant variation in the percentage of time allocated to playing in different hours of the day.2 Dominance relationships: There was significant difference in the dominance index among adult individuals of captive squire monkeys. The dominance rank of the studying group was: 1#ï¹¥4#ï¹¥2#ï¹¥3#, and showed linear relationship. Adult males are usually dominant to adult females.3 Friendly relationships: There was significant variation in the distribution of friendly behavior among adult individuals of captive squire monkeys. Based on frequency of friendly behavior given by individuals, the friendly behavior from high to low for the individuals of the studying group listed: 1#>3#>2#>4#. Adult male gave more friendly behavior than adult females. As the leader of the family, adult male used friendly behavior to maintain group stability, and tempered nervous dominance relationships. In adult females, individuals with low rank gave more friendly behavior than those with high rank. The frequency of friendly behavior given by different juveniles decreased with age, but the difference is not significant.4 Reproductive relationships: During the study period, a total of 142 mounting behavior were recorded among adult individuals. Of 142 mounting behavior, 140 (98.6%) were initiated by adult male. Adult male exhibited sex partner preference. The frequency of mounting behavior received by adult females was significantly and negatively correlated with dominance rank, and individuals with high rank received more mounting than those with low rank. Among juveniles, we recorded a total of 184 mounting behavior, of which 133 (72.3%) occurred between same sex individuals. Moreover, such behavior happened more frequently between males, which may represent playing significance.
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