Savanna Baboon

Savanna baboons demonstrate matrilineal rank inheritance similar to spotted hyenas—daughters inherit their mothers' approximate rank through coalition support from maternal relatives. This creates stable matrilineal hierarchies where family position matters more than individual competitive ability.

Rank inheritance requires active support. Daughters don't automatically assume maternal rank—they must receive coalition support from mothers and maternal relatives during conflicts. If the maternal coalition doesn't intervene, the daughter's rank can slip. Inheritance is an active process, not a passive transfer.

The youngest daughter typically ranks highest among siblings. Mothers support younger daughters more vigorously, possibly because older daughters will achieve independence sooner. This 'youngest ascendancy' creates birth-order effects on lifetime fitness—later-born daughters do better than earlier-born.

Male rank follows different rules. Males disperse from natal groups and must achieve rank through individual competition and coalition-building with unrelated partners. The matrilineal rank system applies only to females; male rank is individually won rather than family-inherited.

For organizations, savanna baboons illustrate that inherited privilege requires ongoing support. Connections must be actively maintained—rank isn't automatically preserved without the coalition backing that established it.