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Bousquet CAH, Sueur C, King AJ, O'Bryan LR. Individual and ecological heterogeneity promote complex communication in social vertebrate group decisions. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230204. [PMID: 38768211 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
To receive the benefits of social living, individuals must make effective group decisions that enable them to achieve behavioural coordination and maintain cohesion. However, heterogeneity in the physical and social environments surrounding group decision-making contexts can increase the level of difficulty social organisms face in making decisions. Groups that live in variable physical environments (high ecological heterogeneity) can experience barriers to information transfer and increased levels of ecological uncertainty. In addition, in groups with large phenotypic variation (high individual heterogeneity), individuals can have substantial conflicts of interest regarding the timing and nature of activities, making it difficult for them to coordinate their behaviours or reach a consensus. In such cases, active communication can increase individuals' abilities to achieve coordination, such as by facilitating the transfer and aggregation of information about the environment or individual behavioural preferences. Here, we review the role of communication in vertebrate group decision-making and its relationship to heterogeneity in the ecological and social environment surrounding group decision-making contexts. We propose that complex communication has evolved to facilitate decision-making in specific socio-ecological contexts, and we provide a framework for studying this topic and testing related hypotheses as part of future research in this area. This article is part of the theme issue 'The power of sound: unravelling how acoustic communication shapes group dynamics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe A H Bousquet
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78457, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz , Konstanz 78457, Germany
| | - Cédric Sueur
- Institut pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien , Strasbourg 67000, France
- Institut Universitaire de France , Paris 75005, France
| | - Andrew J King
- Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering , Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Lisa R O'Bryan
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University , Houston, TX 77005, USA
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Yan X, Wang X, Zhao Y, Zhu Q, Yang L, Li Z. Collective decision-making and spatial patterns in orientation of an endemic ungulate on the Tibetan Plateau. Curr Zool 2024; 70:45-58. [PMID: 38476135 PMCID: PMC10926256 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoad004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Group living animals form striking aggregation patterns and display synchronization, polarization, and collective intelligence. Though many collective behavioral studies have been conducted on small animals like insects and fish, research on large animals is still rare due to the limited availability of field collective data. We used drones to record videos and analyzed the decision-making and behavioral spatial patterns in orientation of Kiang (Tibetan wild ass, Equus kiang). Leadership is unevenly distributed among Kiang, with the minority initiating majority behavior-shift decisions. Decisions of individual to join are driven by imitation between group members, and are largely dependent on the number of members who have already joined. Kiang respond to the behavior and position of neighbors through different strategies. They strongly polarize when moving, therefore adopting a linear alignment. When vigilant, orientation deviation increases as they form a tighter group. They remain scattered while feeding and, in that context, adopt a side-by-side alignment. This study reveals partially-shared decision-making among Kiang, whereby copying neighbors provides the wisdom to thrive in harsh conditions. This study also suggests that animals' spatial patterns in orientation depend largely on their behavioral states in achieving synchronization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueting Yan
- Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Yumeng Zhao
- Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Qin Zhu
- Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Le Yang
- Tibet Plateau Institute of Biology, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Zhongqiu Li
- Lab of Animal Behavior & Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
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Johnson T, Pilleboue E, Herbrich M, Garine E, Sueur C. Management of Social Behaviour of Domestic Yaks in Manang, Nepal: An Etho-Ethnographic Study. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13020248. [PMID: 36670788 PMCID: PMC9854466 DOI: 10.3390/ani13020248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Herdsmen use different techniques, as per varying geographies and cultures, to keep the cohesion within herds and avoid animals getting lost or predated. However, there is no study on the social behaviour of yaks and herdsmen management practices. Therefore, this ethology study was initiated by ethnographic inquiries. In Manang, the success of the shepherd is dictated by his personal attribute of 'Khula man' or open-heartedness. This attribute refers to good intentions and emotions such as empathy, which allow the shepherd to focus more on others than on himself. This cultural way of assessing the skills required to become a successful and knowledgeable shepherd guided us to study the effect of cultural values on the herd's social behaviour. We collected data from two herds living at the same settlement (Yak kharka, 4100 m altitude, Nepal) by equipping them with loggers. One of the herdsmen used the tether rope while the other one did not. Moreover, the Thaku herd had a more proactive shepherd than the Phurba one. In each herd, 17 animals were equipped with one Actigraph wgt3x-BT to measure activity using an accelerometer and spatial associations using a proximity recorder. One of the herds was equipped with GPS (N = 11) as well. Using GPS locations and activity, we showed that the two herds were cohesive and synchronised their activities but the Thaku herd (tether rope herd) was more cohesive than the Phurba herd based on the Actigraph signals. The shepherds also have personal knowledge of the social relationships of individual animals in their herds and use these relationships to keep the group cohesive and to manage cattle well.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Pilleboue
- IPHC, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, UMR 7178, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Maxime Herbrich
- IPHC, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, UMR 7178, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Eric Garine
- UMR Lesc, Université Paris Nanterre, 92000 Nanterre, France
| | - Cédric Sueur
- IPHC, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, UMR 7178, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, 75005 Paris, France
- ANTHROPO-LAB, ETHICS EA 7446, Université Catholique de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
- Correspondence:
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Glucocorticoids of European Bison in Relation to Their Status: Age, Dominance, Social Centrality and Leadership. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12070849. [PMID: 35405836 PMCID: PMC8996974 DOI: 10.3390/ani12070849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This study quantified glucocorticoids in faeces of wild European bison and correlated it to different aspects of social status (leadership, age as a proxy of experience, dominance, social centrality) in order to better understand social mechanisms in this endangered species. Measurement of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites could thus be a valuable tool to follow and improve the adaptation and the welfare of herds in the semi-wild and in captivity by long-term following states of animals and changing conditions, according to them. Abstract Stress is the body’s response to cope with the environment and generally better survive unless too much chronic stress persists. While some studies suggest that it would be more stressful to be the dominant individual of the group, others support the opposite hypothesis. Several variables can actually affect this relationship, or even cancel it. This study therefore aims to make the link between social status and the basal level of stress of 14 wild European bison (Bison bonasus, L. 1758) living together. We collected faeces and measured the faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM). We showed that FGM is linked to different variables of social status of European bison, specifically age, dominance rank, eigenvector centrality but also to interactions between the variables. Preferential leaders in bison, i.e., the older and more dominant individuals which are more central ones, are less stressed compared to other group members. Measurement of such variables could thus be a valuable tool to follow and improve the conservation of species by collecting data on FGM and other social variables and adapt group composition or environmental conditions (e.g., supplement in food) according to the FGM concentration of herd individuals.
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Barker KJ, Xu W, Van Scoyoc A, Serota MW, Moravek JA, Shawler AL, Ryan RE, Middleton AD. Toward a new framework for restoring lost wildlife migrations. Conserv Lett 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin J. Barker
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Wenjing Xu
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Amy Van Scoyoc
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Mitchell W. Serota
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Jessie A. Moravek
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Avery L. Shawler
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Rachael E. Ryan
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Arthur D. Middleton
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
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Hirata M, Matsubara A, Uchimura M. Effects of group composition on social foraging in cattle: inclusion of a leader cow in replacement of a follower facilitates expansion of grazing distribution patterns of beef cows. J ETHOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-021-00731-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Wang X, Xia DP, Sun BH, Li JH. Coordination and consensus: the role of compromisers in Tibetan macaques. Curr Zool 2021; 67:411-418. [PMID: 34616938 PMCID: PMC8489031 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoab047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Coordination and consensus in collective behavior have attracted a lot of research interest. Although previous studies have investigated the role of compromisers in group consensus, they provide little insight into why compromisers would allow such social arrangements to persist. In this study, the potential relationship between group movements and conflict management in Tibetan macaques in Anhui province, China, was investigated using hierarchical cluster analyses. Some members with higher social centrality or social rank often formed a front-runner cluster during group movements. They had higher leadership success than individuals outside the front-runner cluster. Other members with lower social centrality or social rank often followed the group movements initiated by the front-runner cluster, and thus formed the compromiser cluster. Compromisers’ proximity relations with front-runners increased with their following scores to front-runners. Compromisers had fewer events of being attacked when they followed group movements initiated by the front-runners. The compromising process made compromisers lose the choice of direction preference, but it could increase their individual safeties. This trade-off suggests that compromisers play a role of decision-maker in coordination and consensus scenarios among social animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.,International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Dong-Po Xia
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei 230601, China.,School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Bing-Hua Sun
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.,International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Jin-Hua Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.,International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei 230601, China.,School of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
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The Youngest, the Heaviest and/or the Darkest? Selection Potentialities and Determinants of Leadership in Canarian Dromedary Camels. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102886. [PMID: 34679907 PMCID: PMC8532867 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Genetic selection of camels for behavioral traits is not an extended practice in livestock scenarios. Given the existence of pleiotropic genes that influence two or more seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits, here we studied the sociodemographic, zoometric and phaneroptical characteristics potentially determining the intraherd leadership role in Canarian camels. This local endangered breed is mainly reared in same-sex groups because of biased morphostructural preferences, that is, tourism/leisure and milk production for males and females, respectively. The attribute most influencing leadership role was sexual status, as gelded animals more frequently initiated group movements. Furthermore, younger camels were mainly endorsed as group leaders, a condition that could be ascribed to their recognized fluid intelligence and need for constant social and environmental interaction. Referring to zoometrics and phaneroptics, the heaviest and darkest-coated dromedaries were significantly more prone to reaching higher positions in the leadership hierarchy. The presence of white-haired zones in the extremities, head and neck as well as iris depigmentation had non-negligible influence on this type of social organization. This information is valuable for application both in refining animal handling procedures and in genetic selection of animals for their social behavior. Abstract Several idiosyncratic and genetically correlated traits are known to extensively influence leadership in both domestic and wild species. For minor livestock such as camels, however, this type of behavior remains loosely defined and approached only for sex-mixed herds. The interest in knowing those animal-dependent variables that make an individual more likely to emerge as a leader in a single-sex camel herd has its basis in the sex-separated breeding of Canarian dromedary camels for utilitarian purposes. By means of an ordinal logistic regression, it was found that younger, gelded animals may perform better when eliciting the joining of mates, assuming that they were castrated just before reaching sexual maturity and once they were initiated in the pertinent domestication protocol for their lifetime functionality. The higher the body weight, the significantly (p < 0.05) higher the score in the hierarchical rank when leading group movements, although this relationship appeared to be inverse for the other considered zoometric indexes. Camels with darker and substantially depigmented coats were also significantly (p < 0.05) found to be the main initiators. Routine intraherd management and leisure tourism will be thus improved in efficiency and security through the identification and selection of the best leader camels.
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Caicoya AL, Amici F, Ensenyat C, Colell M. Comparative cognition in three understudied ungulate species: European bison, forest buffalos and giraffes. Front Zool 2021; 18:30. [PMID: 34158081 PMCID: PMC8218502 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00417-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Comparative cognition has historically focused on a few taxa such as primates, birds or rodents. However, a broader perspective is essential to understand how different selective pressures affect cognition in different taxa, as more recently shown in several studies. Here we present the same battery of cognitive tasks to two understudied ungulate species with different socio-ecological characteristics, European bison (Bison bonasus) and forest buffalos (Syncerus caffer nanus), and we compare their performance to previous findings in giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis). We presented subjects with an Object permanence task, Memory tasks with 30 and 60 s delays, two inference tasks based on acoustic cues (i.e. Acoustic inference tasks) and a control task to check for the use of olfactory cues (i.e. Olfactory task). Results Overall, giraffes outperformed bison and buffalos, and bison outperformed buffalos (that performed at chance level). All species performed better in the Object permanence task than in the Memory tasks and one of the Acoustic inference tasks (which they likely solved by relying on stimulus enhancement). Giraffes performed better than buffalos in the Shake full Acoustic inference task, but worse than bison and buffalos in the Shake empty Acoustic inference task. Conclusions In sum, our results are in line with the hypothesis that specific socio-ecological characteristics played a crucial role in the evolution of cognition, and that higher fission-fusion levels and larger dietary breadth are linked to higher cognitive skills. This study shows that ungulates may be an excellent model to test evolutionary hypotheses on the emergence of cognition. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12983-021-00417-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Lopez Caicoya
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. .,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Federica Amici
- Behavioral Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Research Group Primate Behavioural Ecology, Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Montserrat Colell
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Stress hormone level and the welfare of captive European bison (Bison bonasus): the effects of visitor pressure and the social structure of herds. Acta Vet Scand 2021; 63:24. [PMID: 34112211 PMCID: PMC8193117 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-021-00589-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Captive European bison (Bison bonasus) play an active role in conservation measures for this species; this includes education, which may conflict with these animals’ welfare. The effect of the presence of visitors on the welfare of captive animals can be negative, positive or neutral. However, the response of a given species to visitors is difficult to predict, since even closely related species display varying levels of tolerance to captivity. The aim of the study was to compare immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels (regarded as an indicator of the level of physiological stress) in groups of captive European bison that differed in terms of their social structure and the level of visitor pressure. The second aim was to determine if there was a correlation between intestinal parasitic burden and immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels. Results Immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels were not influenced by sex or age. However, study site and the interaction between study site and visitor pressure were statistically significant. European bison in one enclosure presented higher levels of immunoreactive fecal cortisol on weekdays than at weekends. In the other two study sites, the levels did not differ between weekdays and weekends. No correlation was found between parasitological infestation and immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels. Conclusions Measurement of fecal cortisol metabolites could be a valuable method for further research into the welfare of European bison in captivity. More subtle factors such as individual animal characteristics, feeding systems, and the arrangement of enclosures can be of great importance in terms of the effect of visitors on animals. The results of this study can be used in guidelines for the management of European bison populations. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13028-021-00589-9.
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Behavioural synchrony between fallow deer Dama dama is related to spatial proximity. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:79. [PMID: 33957862 PMCID: PMC8101042 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01814-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animals living in social groups can benefit from conducting the same behaviour as other group members. If this synchronisation is achieved by copying the behaviour of other individuals, we would expect synchrony to be more likely when pairs of individuals are close together. RESULTS By comparing the behaviour of a focal individual with its nearest, second nearest and third nearest neighbour and a control individual, we show that pairings of fallow deer Dama dama are more likely to be active or inactive at the same moment in time if they are closer together. We also demonstrate that synchronisation in the group happens more often than would be expected by chance. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that there is a relationship between the synchronisation of behaviour and the spatial proximity of individuals. Spatial proximity is likely to be an important influence on how likely individuals are to be synchronised, although care needs to be taken to separate social and environmental influences on individual behaviour.
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Caicoya AL, Colell M, Ensenyat C, Amici F. Problem solving in European bison ( Bison bonasus): two experimental approaches. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:201901. [PMID: 34007461 PMCID: PMC8080012 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The ability to solve novel problems is crucial for individual fitness. However, studies on problem solving are usually done on few taxa, with species with low encephalization quotient being rarely tested. Here, we aimed to study problem solving in a non-domesticated ungulate species, European bison, with two experimental tasks. In the first task, five individuals were presented with a hanging barrel filled with food, which could either be directly accessed (control condition) or which could only be reached by pushing a tree stump in the enclosure below it and stepping on it (experimental condition). In the second task, five individuals were repeatedly fed by an experimenter using a novel bucket to retrieve food from a bag. Then, three identical buckets were placed in the enclosure, while the experimenter waited outside with the bag without feeding the bison, either with a bucket (control condition) or without it (experimental condition). In the first task, no bison moved the stump behind the barrel and/or stepped on it to reach the food. In the second task, two individuals solved the task by pushing the bucket within the experimenter's reach, twice in the experimental and twice in the control condition. We suggest that bison showed a limited ability to solve novel problems, and discuss the implications for their understanding of the functional aspects of the tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro L. Caicoya
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Colell
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Federica Amici
- Junior Research Group 'Primate Kin Selection', Institute of Biology, Faculty of Bioscience, Pharmacy and Psychology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
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Movement orders in spontaneous group movements in cattle: 6-year monitoring of a beef cow herd with changing composition. J ETHOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-021-00700-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Briard L, Deneubourg JL, Petit O. Group behaviours and individual spatial sorting before departure predict the dynamics of collective movements in horses. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Tang Z, Wang X, Wu M, Chen S, Li J. Tibetan Macaques with Higher Social Centrality and More Relatives Emit More Frequent Visual Communication in Collective Decision-Making. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030876. [PMID: 33808579 PMCID: PMC8003505 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary It is well known that visual communication plays an important role in collective decision-making. However, there is not much research on the influencing factors of visual signals, especially kinship and social relations. In this study, we not only confirmed the function of visual communication in collective decision-making, but also found the effect of kinship and social relations on visual communication. Tibetan macaques with higher social centrality and more relatives emit more frequent visual communication, providing a reference for further research on decision-making. Understanding the link between communication and decision-making can elucidate the powers of group maintenance in animal societies. Abstract Animals on the move often communicate with each other through some specific postures. Previous studies have shown that social interaction plays a role in communication process. However, it is not clear whether the affinity of group members can affect visual communication. We studied a group of free-ranging Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Huangshan Mountain, China, and answered whether and how social centrality or relatives matter in visual signals during group movement using Tobit regression modeling. All individuals emitted the signals of back-glances and pauses in collective movement. The emission of two signals decreased with the number of participants increased. The back-glance and pause signals emitted by the participating individuals were stronger as the position moved backward in the group. Sex, age, and rank had no significant influence on back-glance and pause signals. Individuals with higher social centrality would emit more pause signals, but social centrality had no effect on the back-glance signal. Individuals with more relatives in the group had more back-glance signals, but this had no effect on the pause signal. This study verifies that social centrality and the number of relatives have effects on visual signals in Tibetan macaques. We provide insights into the relationship between communication behaviors and group cooperation in social animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zifei Tang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China;
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavior Ecology, Hefei 230601, China; (M.W.); (S.C.)
| | - Xi Wang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China;
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavior Ecology, Hefei 230601, China; (M.W.); (S.C.)
- Correspondence: (X.W.); (J.L.)
| | - Mingyang Wu
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavior Ecology, Hefei 230601, China; (M.W.); (S.C.)
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Shiwang Chen
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavior Ecology, Hefei 230601, China; (M.W.); (S.C.)
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Jinhua Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China;
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavior Ecology, Hefei 230601, China; (M.W.); (S.C.)
- School of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
- Correspondence: (X.W.); (J.L.)
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Weber WD, Anthony NM, Lailvaux SP. Size but not relatedness drives the spatial distribution of males within an urban population of Anolis carolinensis lizards. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:2886-2898. [PMID: 33767844 PMCID: PMC7981233 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The way that individuals are spatially organized in their environment is a fundamental population characteristic affecting social structure, mating system, and reproductive ecology. However, for many small or cryptic species, the factors driving the spatial distribution of individuals within a population are poorly understood and difficult to quantify. We combined microsatellite data, remote sensing, and mark-recapture techniques to test the relative importance of body size and relatedness in determining the spatial distribution of male Anolis carolinensis individuals within a focal population over a five-year period. We found that males maintain smaller home ranges than females. We found no relationship between male body size and home range size, nor any substantial impact of relatedness on the geographic proximity. Instead, the main driver of male spatial distribution in this population was differences in body size. We also found no evidence for offspring inheritance of their parent's territories. Males were never sampled within their father's territory providing strong support for male-biased dispersal. This study introduces a novel approach by combining standard mark release capture data with measures of pairwise relatedness, body size, and GPS locations to better understand the factors that drive the spatial distribution of individuals within a population.
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Affiliation(s)
- William David Weber
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of NewOrleans, New OrleansLAUSA
- Department of BiologyUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMDUSA
| | - Nicola M. Anthony
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of NewOrleans, New OrleansLAUSA
| | - Simon P. Lailvaux
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of NewOrleans, New OrleansLAUSA
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18
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Sarano F, Girardet J, Sarano V, Vitry H, Preud'homme A, Heuzey R, Garcia-Cegarra AM, Madon B, Delfour F, Glotin H, Adam O, Jung JL. Kin relationships in cultural species of the marine realm: case study of a matrilineal social group of sperm whales off Mauritius island, Indian Ocean. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:201794. [PMID: 33972866 PMCID: PMC8074673 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the organization and dynamics of social groups of marine mammals through the study of kin relationships is particularly challenging. Here, we studied a stable social group of sperm whales off Mauritius, using underwater observations, individual-specific identification, non-invasive sampling and genetic analyses based on mitochondrial sequencing and microsatellite profiling. Twenty-four sperm whales were sampled between 2017 and 2019. All individuals except one adult female shared the same mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype-one that is rare in the western Indian Ocean-thus confirming with near certainty the matrilineality of the group. All probable first- and second-degree kin relationships were depicted in the sperm whale social group: 13 first-degree and 27 second-degree relationships were identified. Notably, we highlight the likely case of an unrelated female having been integrated into a social unit, in that she presented a distinct mtDNA haplotype and no close relationships with any members of the group. Investigating the possible matrilineality of sperm whale cultural units (i.e. vocal clans) is the next step in our research programme to elucidate and better apprehend the complex organization of sperm whale social groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Justine Girardet
- Université de Brest, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, ISYEB, Brest, France
| | | | - Hugues Vitry
- Marine Megafauna Conservation Organisation, Mauritius
| | | | | | - Ana M. Garcia-Cegarra
- Centro de Investigación de Fauna Marina y Avistamiento de Cetáceos, CIFAMAC, Mejillones, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomás, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Bénédicte Madon
- Université de Brest, AMURE - Aménagement des Usages des Ressources et des Espaces marins et littoraux - Centre de droit et d'économie de la mer, Plouzané, France
| | - Fabienne Delfour
- Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée EA 4443, Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Villetaneuse, France
| | - Hervé Glotin
- Toulon University, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, LIS, DYNI Team, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Adam
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut Jean Le Rond d'Alembert, UMR 7190, Paris, France
- Institute of Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Bioacoustics Team, CNRS UMR 9197, Université Paris Sud, Orsay, France
| | - Jean-Luc Jung
- Université de Brest, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, ISYEB, Brest, France
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19
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Sankey DWE, O'Bryan LR, Garnier S, Cowlishaw G, Hopkins P, Holton M, Fürtbauer I, King AJ. Consensus of travel direction is achieved by simple copying, not voting, in free-ranging goats. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:201128. [PMID: 33972846 PMCID: PMC8074689 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
For group-living animals to remain cohesive they must agree on where to travel. Theoretical models predict shared group decisions should be favoured, and a number of empirical examples support this. However, the behavioural mechanisms that underpin shared decision-making are not fully understood. Groups may achieve consensus of direction by active communication of individual preferences (i.e. voting), or by responding to each other's orientation and movement (i.e. copying). For example, African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) are reported to use body orientation to vote and indicate their preferred direction to achieve a consensus on travel direction, while golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas) achieve consensus of direction by responding to the movement cues of their neighbours. Here, we present a conceptual model (supported by agent-based simulations) that allows us to distinguish patterns of motion that represent voting or copying. We test our model predictions using high-resolution GPS and magnetometer data collected from a herd of free-ranging goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) in the Namib Desert, Namibia. We find that decisions concerning travel direction were more consistent with individuals copying one another's motion and find no evidence to support the use of voting with body orientation. Our findings highlight the role of simple behavioural rules for collective decision-making by animal groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - L. R. O'Bryan
- New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - S. Garnier
- New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - G. Cowlishaw
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW14RY, UK
| | - P. Hopkins
- Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - M. Holton
- Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - I. Fürtbauer
- Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - A. J. King
- Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
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20
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Sigaud M, Mason THE, Barnier F, Cherry SG, Fortin D. Emerging conflict between conservation programmes: when a threatened vertebrate facilitates the dispersal of exotic species in a rare plant community. Anim Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Sigaud
- Département de Biologie et Centre d’Étude de la Forêt Université Laval Québec QC Canada
- Primate Research Institute Kyoto University Inuyama Japan
| | - T. H. E. Mason
- Département de Biologie et Centre d’Étude de la Forêt Université Laval Québec QC Canada
- Biological and Environmental Sciences School of Natural Sciences University of Stirling Stirling UK
| | - F. Barnier
- Département de Biologie et Centre d’Étude de la Forêt Université Laval Québec QC Canada
- UMS Patrimoine Naturel Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris France
| | - S. G. Cherry
- Parks Canada Agency Radium Hot Springs BC Canada
| | - D. Fortin
- Département de Biologie et Centre d’Étude de la Forêt Université Laval Québec QC Canada
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21
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Gérard C, Valenchon M, Poulin N, Petit O. How does the expressiveness of leaders affect followership in domestic horses (Equus ferus caballus)? Anim Cogn 2020; 23:559-569. [PMID: 32065307 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-020-01361-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In collective movements, some individuals are more effective and attractive leaders than others. Parameters such as social network, personality, and physiologic needs failed to explain why group members follow one leader more than another. In this study in the domestic horse, we propose to focus on the leader's attitude and its impact to the followers' recruitment during two conditions: spontaneous group departures or experimentally induced departures. We postulate that the expressiveness of the leader could enhance its attractiveness and thus produce a successful followership. We found that a high expressiveness level is associated with a high curiosity score and with a low social status. This propensity to initiate while being expressive was higher in the experimental condition than in the spontaneous condition which was expected, since the experimental procedure sought to increase the motivation of initiators with a highly appetent reward. Moreover, the more intense the leader's expressiveness is, the faster the followers will join the movement regardless of the condition. This positive and dynamic attitude can be perceived as an attractive feature by the followers. Finally, we evidenced collective arousal in followers initiated by the leader that could be essential for group cohesion. The present study is the first to investigate the expressiveness level in animals, and provides new insights into the emergence of leadership.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Gérard
- Cognitive and Social Ethology Group, CNRS, UMR 7247 Physiologie de La Reproduction Et Des Comportements, 37380, Nouzilly, France.,UMR 7206 Eco-Anthropologie, MNHN, Musée de l'Homme, 17 place du Trocadéro, 75116, Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Valenchon
- Cognitive and Social Ethology Group, CNRS, UMR 7247 Physiologie de La Reproduction Et Des Comportements, 37380, Nouzilly, France.,School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK
| | - Nicolas Poulin
- CeStatS, Institut de Recherche Mathématique Avancée, UMR 7501, University of Strasbourg-CNRS, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Odile Petit
- Cognitive and Social Ethology Group, CNRS, UMR 7247 Physiologie de La Reproduction Et Des Comportements, 37380, Nouzilly, France.
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22
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Wang C, Pan R, Wang X, Qi X, Zhao H, Guo S, Ren Y, Fu W, Zhu Z, Li B. Decision-making process during collective movement initiation in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana). Sci Rep 2020; 10:480. [PMID: 31949226 PMCID: PMC6965115 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57191-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Collective decision-making is important for coordination and synchronization of the activities among group-living animals and the mechanisms guiding such procedure involve a great variety of characteristics of behavior and motivation. This study provides some evidence investigating collective movement initiation in a multi-level social band of the golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) located in the Mts. Qinling, China. We collect 1223 datum records relevant to decision initiation from six OMUs. The results indicate that collective movement initiation could be divided into two continual but relatively independent processes: decisions on moving direction and movement implementation. In both processes, adult individuals are more likely to initiate the decision-making, while other adults vote on initiator's preference, with a threshold, a supporting number required for a success. Thus, voting behavior and quorum fulfillment contribute to a successful decision-making. Adult individuals play important role in making decisions for moving direction and implementation. For a successful collective movement initiation, the individuals being more central in grooming network initiate decisions more frequently than the others, and attract voters more easily. Furthermore, following the initiation, at least four positive voters are required for a direction decision and at least three positive voters are needed for the decision on movement implementation, which could be considered as the threshold of quorum numbers required for a successful decision. This study has provided some very interesting information and scientific evidence in understanding social structure and behaviors of the nonhuman primates with a social structure very similar to humans'. Thus, some results can directly be referred to the comprehension of human social structure and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengliang Wang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ruliang Pan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Xiaoguang Qi
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Haitao Zhao
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Songtao Guo
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Yi Ren
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Weiwei Fu
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Zirui Zhu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Baoguo Li
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, 710032, China.
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China.
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23
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Ringhofer M, Go CK, Inoue S, S. Mendonça R, Hirata S, Kubo T, Ikeda K, Yamamoto S. Herding mechanisms to maintain the cohesion of a harem group: two interaction phases during herding. J ETHOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-019-00622-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIn animal groups, individual interactions achieve coordinated movements to maintain cohesion. In horse harem groups, herding is a behavior in which males chase females from behind; it is considered to assist with group cohesiveness. However, the mechanisms by which the individuals move to maintain group cohesion are unknown. We applied novel non-invasive methods of drone filming and video tracking to observe horse movements in the field with high temporal and spatial resolution. We tracked all group members and drew trajectories. We analyzed the movements of females and found two phases of interactions based on their timing of movement initiation. The females that moved first were those nearest to the herding male, while the movement initiation of the later females was determined by the distance from the nearest moving female, not by the distance from the herding male. These interactions are unique among animal group movements and might represent a herding mechanism responsible for maintaining group cohesion. This might be due to long-term stable relationships within a harem group and strong social bonds between females. This study showed that the combination of drone filming and video tracking is a useful method for analyzing the movements of animals simultaneously in high resolution.
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24
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Evans JC, Torney CJ, Votier SC, Dall SRX. Social information use and collective foraging in a pursuit diving seabird. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222600. [PMID: 31545848 PMCID: PMC6756525 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals of many species utilise social information whilst making decisions. While many studies have examined social information in making large scale decisions, there is increasing interest in the use of fine scale social cues in groups. By examining the use of these cues and how they alter behaviour, we can gain insights into the adaptive value of group behaviours. We investigated the role of social information in choosing when and where to dive in groups of socially foraging European shags. From this we aimed to determine the importance of social information in the formation of these groups. We extracted individuals' surface trajectories and dive locations from video footage of collective foraging and used computational Bayesian methods to infer how social interactions influence diving. Examination of group spatial structure shows birds form structured aggregations with higher densities of conspecifics directly in front of and behind focal individuals. Analysis of diving behaviour reveals two distinct rates of diving, with birds over twice as likely to dive if a conspecific dived within their visual field in the immediate past. These results suggest that shag group foraging behaviour allows individuals to sense and respond to their environment more effectively by making use of social cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian C. Evans
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Colin J. Torney
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen C. Votier
- Environment & Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Sasha R. X. Dall
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
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25
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Härkönen L, Alioravainen N, Vainikka A, Hyvärinen P. Night reveals individuality in a shoaling fish. Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Härkönen
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, Pentti Kaiteran katu, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Aquatic population dynamics, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Paavo Havaksen tie, Oulu, Finland
| | - Nico Alioravainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Anssi Vainikka
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Pekka Hyvärinen
- Aquatic population dynamics, Kainuu Fisheries Research Station, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Manamansalontie,Paltamo, Finland
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26
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Ramos A, Manizan L, Rodriguez E, Kemp YJM, Sueur C. The social network structure of a semi-free roaming European bison herd (Bison bonasus). Behav Processes 2018; 158:97-105. [PMID: 30445118 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2018.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The use of social network analysis to better understand animal behaviour has led to an increase in the number of studies on this topic, particularly for species management and conservation as well as the welfare of captive animals. The current knowledge of social organization in the European bison (Bison bonasus) is still largely based on descriptions of group compositions, most of which were obtained during opportunistic field observations. However, the numerous conservation programs for this species can only implement effective management decisions after the analysis of its social structures. For instance, the removal of a key individual can disturb the social stability of a group and thus indirectly affect the fitness of group members. This is the first study that uses social network analysis to examine the social structure of a semi-free ranging bison herd (N = 14). Closest neighbour associations are used to calculate the eigenvector centrality and individual social strength of each animal. These two indices are combined after a principal component analysis (PCA) to form the Sociability variable, which was then tested for correlations with age, dominance rank, number of matrilines and reproductive status (lactating vs non-lactating). Results reveal strong group cohesion, with a close association of individuals belonging to the same matriline within the herd. The cumulative distribution of the eigenvector centralities follows a linear function, meaning that no individual has a highly central position compared to its congeners. Finally, a high Sociability value was not correlated to age, dominance rank or number of matrilines, but was dependent on the reproductive status of females. These results indicate the necessity to consider the social welfare of animals, for instance by taking matrilineal relationships into account when making bison groups management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Ramos
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Lola Manizan
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Esther Rodriguez
- PWN Waterleidingbedrijf Noord-Holland, Postbus 2113, 1990 AC, Velserbroek, the Netherlands
| | - Yvonne J M Kemp
- PWN Waterleidingbedrijf Noord-Holland, Postbus 2113, 1990 AC, Velserbroek, the Netherlands; ARK Nature, Molenveldlaan 43, 6523 RJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Cédric Sueur
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
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27
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Ramos A, Manizan L, Rodriguez E, Kemp YJM, Sueur C. How can leadership processes in European bison be used to improve the management of free-roaming herds. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-018-1175-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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28
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Sueur C, Kuntz C, Debergue E, Keller B, Robic F, Siegwalt-Baudin F, Richer C, Ramos A, Pelé M. Leadership linked to group composition in Highland cattle ( Bos taurus ): Implications for livestock management. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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29
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Bennitt E, Bonyongo MC, Harris S. Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) social dynamics in a flood-pulsed environment. Behav Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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30
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Sperber AL, Werner LM, Kappeler PM, Fichtel C. Grunt to go-Vocal coordination of group movements in redfronted lemurs. Ethology 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lucia Sperber
- Department of Sociobiology/Anthropology; University of Göttingen; Göttingen Germany
- Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology Unit; German Primate Center; Göttingen Germany
| | - Lynne M. Werner
- Department of Sociobiology/Anthropology; University of Göttingen; Göttingen Germany
| | - Peter M. Kappeler
- Department of Sociobiology/Anthropology; University of Göttingen; Göttingen Germany
- Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology Unit; German Primate Center; Göttingen Germany
| | - Claudia Fichtel
- Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology Unit; German Primate Center; Göttingen Germany
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31
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Gajamannage K, Bollt EM, Porter MA, Dawkins MS. Modeling the lowest-cost splitting of a herd of cows by optimizing a cost function. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2017; 27:063114. [PMID: 28679227 DOI: 10.1063/1.4983671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Animals live in groups to defend against predation and to obtain food. However, for some animals-especially ones that spend long periods of time feeding-there are costs if a group chooses to move on before their nutritional needs are satisfied. If the conflict between feeding and keeping up with a group becomes too large, it may be advantageous for some groups of animals to split into subgroups with similar nutritional needs. We model the costs and benefits of splitting in a herd of cows using a cost function that quantifies individual variation in hunger, desire to lie down, and predation risk. We model the costs associated with hunger and lying desire as the standard deviations of individuals within a group, and we model predation risk as an inverse exponential function of the group size. We minimize the cost function over all plausible groups that can arise from a given herd and study the dynamics of group splitting. We examine how the cow dynamics and cost function depend on the parameters in the model and consider two biologically-motivated examples: (1) group switching and group fission in a herd of relatively homogeneous cows, and (2) a herd with an equal number of adult males (larger animals) and adult females (smaller animals).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelum Gajamannage
- Department of Mathematics, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699, USA
| | - Erik M Bollt
- Department of Mathematics, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699, USA
| | - Mason A Porter
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Marian S Dawkins
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom
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