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Dynamic unpredictability in grouping

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 November 2025

Phyllis C. Lee Open the ORCID record for Phyllis C. Lee [Opens in a new window]  and
Karen B. Strier Open the ORCID record for Karen B. Strier [Opens in a new window]
Phyllis C. Lee*
Affiliation:
Behaviour and Evolution Research Group, Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling , Stirling, UK Phyllis.lee@stir.ac.uk
Karen B. Strier
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1180 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI, USA kbstrier@wisc.edu
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Dunbar presents an intriguing analysis of variance in primate group sizes, and social glue’s (grooming) relationship to cognitive evolution. This focus on primates with consistent and stable grouping excludes perspectives on the evolution of grouping beyond predation and competition. The analysis raises important questions about variation, dynamic sizes, and the conservation implications of variance for primate population extinction vulnerabilities.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 48 , 2025 , e174
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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