Markets carefully interpreted: a reply to Kaburu and Newton-Fisher (2016)

Citation

Sánchez-Amaro A & Amici F (2016) Markets carefully interpreted: a reply to Kaburu and Newton-Fisher (2016). Animal Behavior, 119, pp. e7-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.06.022

Abstract
First paragraph: In our recently published essay (Sanchez-Amaro & Amici, 2015) we aimed to discuss the literature on primate biological markets (BMs) by drawing attention to the problems that, in our view, affect most primate studies endorsing the existence of BMs. In this way, we aimed not only to warn of conclusions based on dubious methodological approaches, but also to provide some possible new avenues to more efficiently test biological market theory (BMT) in primates. Finally, we hoped to stimulate debate with experts in BMT, including primatologists working in the field, to critically discuss the points we raised in our essay and find new ways to collaboratively improve empirical work on primate BMs

Keywords
biological market theory; commodity exchanges; grooming; primates; reciprocity; time; frame of exchanges

Journal
Animal Behavior: Volume 119