The primary purpose of this study is to understand the behavioral mechanisms involved in the process of hybridization between two species of Old World monkeys in the Awash Hybrid Zone (AHZ) in Ethiopia. While anubis and hamadryas baboons generally live in different habitats, their ranges overlap in Ethiopia and, despite marked differences in morphology and social organization, they hybridize. Although earlier studies suggested the zone was narrow and stable, it now appears to be expanding, and previously "pure" anubis groups contain a significant number of hybrid individuals. While there have been studies of the role of male actions in determining events contributing to hybridization, there have been none relating to female behaviors. In the AHZ males of varying phenotypes coexist within the same social group and their contrasting morphologies and mating strategies make this location the ideal testing ground for exploring the existence and the basis of female partner preference. Female behaviors such as presenting frequency, grooming and proximity maintenance will be recorded using focal animal sampling. Behaviors of other group members and broad ecological parameters will be recorded to assess the context in which activities occur.
