摘要：SummaryIn many mammalian species, both sexes may take leadership role, but different traits may play a role in determining variation within species. Here we examine the effect of sex on leadership. We present three complementary datasets derived from a well-studied population of wild rock hyrax (Procavia capensis). The findings demonstrated that male and female rock hyraxes take on different leadership positions, depending on the context. When risk is moderate, more likely to lead are younger resident males, which experience high cortisol and lower testosterone levels. However, during acute predation scenarios, more likely to lead are males with lower centrality status. We suggest that hyrax males exhibit risky behaviors that may reflect their need for self-advertisement. In contrast, leadership among group females is more equally distributed. Females have little to gain from risky actions due to the lack of competition among them, but nonetheless take leadership positions.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Different traits play a role in hyrax male and female leaders, in different contexts•On moderate risk, younger resident males with high cortisol and low testosterone lead•During predation scenario, lower centrality status males lead•Among group females, leadership is more equally distributedSocial interaction; Biological sciences; Ethology
