Tell me more ×
Biology Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for biology researchers, academics, and students. It's 100% free, no registration required.

In hyena species females are dominant (alpha) over males, can you give me any examples of other species in which females are dominant.

share|improve this question
Community wiki? – Armatus Jun 24 '12 at 11:34
Also, Bonobos: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonobo#Social_behavior – Armatus Jun 24 '12 at 11:41
1  
I don't think it is correct to say that 'females are alpha over males'. It's rather that you have one female, called the alpha female, which leads the pack. – nico Jun 24 '12 at 12:43
1  
The "alpha" designation in dominance is generally applied separately to each sex, as each sex has a clear dominance hierarchy among individuals of the sex, while the relations between the sexes play out by different rules. Both hyenas and wolves have an alpha male an an alpha female in a pack; what's different is that in hyenas females are dominant over the males while in wolves the reverse is true. – mgkrebbs Jun 24 '12 at 21:27
Wouldn't the answer to this just be an incomplete list of species? Unanswerable/too broad of a question imo. – LanceLafontaine Jun 27 '12 at 16:51
show 1 more comment

closed as not constructive by jonsca, Mad Scientist Jul 31 '12 at 7:28

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.