What is the primary consequence of upheaval in the social groups of lemurs?

The primary consequence of upheaval in the social groups of lemurs is higher rates of infant mortality. In species like lemurs, social structure plays a critical role in infant survival. When upheaval occurs within groups, such as changes in leadership, disruptions in social hierarchies, or shifts in group composition, it can lead to instability and stress within the group. This instability can affect maternal care, making it more challenging for mothers to provide the necessary attention and resources to their infants. Additionally, social upheaval can increase competition for resources, further impacting infant survival rates.

In contrast, while increased social bonding among females can be beneficial in certain contexts, it typically arises from stable social structures rather than upheaval. Similarly, although enhanced foraging success is a potential advantage of stable group dynamics, upheaval would likely disrupt cooperative behaviors and decrease foraging efficiency due to stress and competition. Finally, reduced territorial disputes might occur in some scenarios where upheaval leads to a breakdown of established territorial behaviors, but the immediate consequences are more strongly associated with the well-being and survival of infants in tumultuous social conditions.