This form of grooming is usually not reciprocated by the subordinate female.
It was that he harassed a subordinate female using sexual coercion.
If conditions are good, subordinate females may also become pregnant, but their pups rarely survive.
In addition, the subordinate female is usually the daughter of the dominant one.
"Part of the control of reproduction may reside with the subordinate female," he said.
Pups of subordinate females usually get killed by the alpha female, which causes the population increase to be low even in good times.
Young, subordinate females will do better if they mate with a new male.
To prevent younger, subordinate females within the group from breeding, the dominant female uses pheromones.
Also, subordinate females may find an opportunity to lay their own eggs in the nest.
Why the subordinate females usually do not go into heat and conceive remains a mystery.