Final answer:
The statement is true; in a polygynous mating system, males often compete for priority of access to females who have established separate territories. This system is more common than a polyandrous system, wherein females attract multiple males. The complexity of primate social interactions includes both competitive and cooperative strategies for mating.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to mating systems and the competitive behaviors between males in multi-male groups within animal populations, particularly concerning access to females. In a polygynous mating system, which is suggested by the given scenarios, males tend to compete for priority of access to females that have established separate territories rich in resources, rather than for sole access to them. This can lead to a situation where a few dominant males attract many females, particularly in territories with abundant resources. Conversely, in a polyandrous system, females might attract multiple males to their territories, although this system is less common due to the high energy that females typically invest in offspring production and development.
It is also highlighted that females can be sexually assertive and may prefer to mate with male 'friends' than with more aggressive or dominant males. This indicates the complexity of social organization in primates, where competition and cooperation are both key aspects of social interactions, with friendliness often being a more advantageous reproductive strategy for males than outright aggression.