Abstract:To explore the patterns and functions of bridging behavior,we studied the bridging behavior of YA1 colony of Tibetan Macaque(Macaca thibetana)from March to May in 2007 at Mt.Huangshan,Anhui Province,China.The results indicated that the frequency of this behavior was significantly different at different time period(t=3.912,df=10,P<0.01).Adult male monkeys were the main doers(Z=-2.188 8,P<0.05)and recipients(Z=-2.523 8,P<0.05)of bridging process.Within the same age group,sex didn't influence rates of initiating(Z=-1.755,P>0.05)but did influence rates of receiving(Z=-2.201,P<0.05).Bridging partners mainly used infants(F=6.735,df=2,P<0.05)as the bridging medium and preferred to using male infants(Z=-2.437,P<0.05).Moreover,mothers' social rank influenced frequency of their infants used as bridging medium in bridging process(Z=-3.724,P<0.01);partners mostly used high-ranking mothers' infants.Males(F=2.947,df=4,P<0.05)and females(F=5.320,df=4,P<0.05)mostly performs pattern Ⅰ bridging behavior.Females usually chose relatives as the bridging medium(Z=-2.490,P<0.05),but males didn't show obvious selectivity for the maternal offsprings(Z=-0.866,P>0.05).In conclusion,the short-term research indicate that social bridging behavior in Tibetan Macaques social group mainly occurs in pattern Ⅰ and it has function of alleviation the competing pressure among individuals.The kinship may not be the primary factor affecting choosing the bridging behavior medium.