1
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Balasubramaniam KN, Aiempichitkijkarn N, Kaburu SSK, Marty PR, Beisner BA, Bliss-Moreau E, Arlet ME, Atwill E, McCowan B. Impact of joint interactions with humans and social interactions with conspecifics on the risk of zooanthroponotic outbreaks among wildlife populations. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11600. [PMID: 35804182 PMCID: PMC9263808 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15713-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pandemics caused by pathogens that originate in wildlife highlight the importance of understanding the behavioral ecology of disease outbreaks at human–wildlife interfaces. Specifically, the relative effects of human–wildlife and wildlife-wildlife interactions on disease outbreaks among wildlife populations in urban and peri-urban environments remain unclear. We used social network analysis and epidemiological Susceptible-Infected-Recovered models to simulate zooanthroponotic outbreaks, through wild animals’ joint propensities to co-interact with humans, and their social grooming of conspecifics. On 10 groups of macaques (Macaca spp.) in peri-urban environments in Asia, we collected behavioral data using event sampling of human–macaque interactions within the same time and space, and focal sampling of macaques’ social interactions with conspecifics and overall anthropogenic exposure. Model-predicted outbreak sizes were related to structural features of macaques’ networks. For all three species, and for both anthropogenic (co-interactions) and social (grooming) contexts, outbreak sizes were positively correlated to the network centrality of first-infected macaques. Across host species and contexts, the above effects were stronger through macaques’ human co-interaction networks than through their grooming networks, particularly for rhesus and bonnet macaques. Long-tailed macaques appeared to show intraspecific variation in these effects. Our findings suggest that among wildlife in anthropogenically-impacted environments, the structure of their aggregations around anthropogenic factors makes them more vulnerable to zooanthroponotic outbreaks than their social structure. The global features of these networks that influence disease outbreaks, and their underlying socio-ecological covariates, need further investigation. Animals that consistently interact with both humans and their conspecifics are important targets for disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna N Balasubramaniam
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK. .,Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | | | - Stefano S K Kaburu
- Department of Biomedical Science and Physiology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK
| | - Pascal R Marty
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.,Zoo Zürich, Zürichbergstrasse 221, 8044, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Brianne A Beisner
- Animal Resources Division, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Eliza Bliss-Moreau
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.,California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Malgorzata E Arlet
- Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61614, Poznan, Poland
| | - Edward Atwill
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Brenda McCowan
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.,California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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2
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Linking ecology and cognition: does ecological specialisation predict cognitive test performance? Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-02923-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
AbstractVariation in cognitive abilities is thought to be linked to variation in brain size, which varies across species with either social factors (Social Intelligence Hypothesis) or ecological challenges (Ecological Intelligence Hypothesis). However, the nature of the ecological processes invoked by the Ecological Intelligence Hypothesis, like adaptations to certain habitat characteristics or dietary requirements, remains relatively poorly known. Here, we review comparative studies that experimentally investigated interspecific variation in cognitive performance in relation to a species’ degree of ecological specialisation. Overall, the relevant literature was biased towards studies of mammals and birds as well as studies focusing on ecological challenges related to diet. We separated ecological challenges into those related to searching for food, accessing a food item and memorising food locations. We found interspecific variation in cognitive performance that can be explained by adaptations to different foraging styles. Species-specific adaptations to certain ecological conditions, like food patch distribution, characteristics of food items or seasonality also broadly predicted variation in cognitive abilities. A species’ innovative problem-solving and spatial processing ability, for example, could be explained by its use of specific foraging techniques or search strategies, respectively. Further, habitat generalists were more likely to outperform habitat specialists. Hence, we found evidence that ecological adaptations and cognitive performance are linked and that the classification concept of ecological specialisation can explain variation in cognitive performance only with regard to habitat, but not dietary specialisation.
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3
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Kavaliers M, Ossenkopp KP, Choleris E. Pathogens, odors, and disgust in rodents. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 119:281-293. [PMID: 33031813 PMCID: PMC7536123 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
All animals are under the constant threat of attack by parasites. The mere presence of parasite threat can alter behavior before infection takes place. These effects involve pathogen disgust, an evolutionarily conserved affective/emotional system that functions to detect cues associated with parasites and infection and facilitate avoidance behaviors. Animals gauge the infection status of conspecific and the salience of the threat they represent on the basis of various sensory cues. Odors in particular are a major source of social information about conspecifics and the infection threat they present. Here we briefly consider the origins, expression, and regulation of the fundamental features of odor mediated pathogen disgust in rodents. We briefly review aspects of: (1) the expression of affective states and emotions and in particular, disgust, in rodents; (2) olfactory mediated recognition and avoidance of potentially infected conspecifics and the impact of pathogen disgust and its' fundamental features on behavior; (3) pathogen disgust associated trade-offs; (4) the neurobiological mechanisms, and in particular the roles of the nonapeptide, oxytocin, and steroidal hormones, in the expression of pathogen disgust and the regulation of avoidance behaviors and concomitant trade-offs. Understanding the roles of pathogen disgust in rodents can provide insights into the regulation and expression of responses to pathogens and infection in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kavaliers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Klaus-Peter Ossenkopp
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
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4
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Traniello JFA, Bakker TCM. Social behavior and disease: supporting science during the pandemic. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020; 74:99. [PMID: 32834413 PMCID: PMC7367787 DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-02882-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James F A Traniello
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Theo C M Bakker
- Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
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5
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Riedel J, Vucko MJ, Blomberg SP, Schwarzkopf L. Skin hydrophobicity as an adaptation for self-cleaning in geckos. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:4640-4651. [PMID: 32551049 PMCID: PMC7297746 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrophobicity is common in plants and animals, typically caused by high relief microtexture functioning to keep the surface clean. Although the occurrence and physical causes of hydrophobicity are well understood, ecological factors promoting its evolution are unclear. Geckos have highly hydrophobic integuments. We predicted that, because the ground is dirty and filled with pathogens, high hydrophobicity should coevolve with terrestrial microhabitat use. Advancing contact-angle (ACA) measurements of water droplets were used to quantify hydrophobicity in 24 species of Australian gecko. We reconstructed the evolution of ACA values, in relation to microhabitat use of geckos. To determine the best set of structural characteristics associated with the evolution of hydrophobicity, we used linear models fitted using phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS), and then model averaging based on AICc values. All species were highly hydrophobic (ACA > 132.72°), but terrestrial species had significantly higher ACA values than arboreal ones. The evolution of longer spinules and smaller scales was correlated with high hydrophobicity. These results suggest that hydrophobicity has coevolved with terrestrial microhabitat use in Australian geckos via selection for long spinules and small scales, likely to keep their skin clean and prevent fouling and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jendrian Riedel
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQld.Australia
| | - Matthew John Vucko
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQld.Australia
| | - Simone P. Blomberg
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of QueenslandSt. LuciaQld.Australia
| | - Lin Schwarzkopf
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQld.Australia
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6
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Ducatez S, Lefebvre L, Sayol F, Audet JN, Sol D. Host Cognition and Parasitism in Birds: A Review of the Main Mechanisms. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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7
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Wilson SN, Sindi SS, Brooks HZ, Hohn ME, Price CR, Radunskaya AE, Williams ND, Fefferman NH. How Emergent Social Patterns in Allogrooming Combat Parasitic Infections. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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8
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Kavaliers M, Choleris E. The role of social cognition in parasite and pathogen avoidance. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2017.0206. [PMID: 29866919 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The acquisition and use of social information are integral to social behaviour and parasite/pathogen avoidance. This involves social cognition which encompasses mechanisms for acquiring, processing, retaining and acting on social information. Social cognition entails the acquisition of social information about others (i.e. social recognition) and from others (i.e. social learning). Social cognition involves assessing other individuals and their infection status and the pathogen and parasite threat they pose and deciding about when and how to interact with them. Social cognition provides a framework for examining pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours and their associated neurobiological mechanisms. Here, we briefly consider the relationships between social cognition and olfactory-mediated pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours. We briefly discuss aspects of (i) social recognition of actual and potentially infected individuals and the impact of parasite/pathogen threat on mate and social partner choice; (ii) the roles of 'out-groups' (strangers, unfamiliar individuals) and 'in-groups' (familiar individuals) in the expression of parasite/pathogen avoidance behaviours; (iii) individual and social learning, i.e. the utilization of the pathogen recognition and avoidance responses of others; and (iv) the neurobiological mechanisms, in particular the roles of the nonapeptide, oxytocin and steroid hormones (oestrogens) associated with social cognition and parasite/pathogen avoidance.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Evolution of pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kavaliers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Social Science Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C2 .,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
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9
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Ducatez S, Audet JN, Lefebvre L. Speed–accuracy trade-off, detour reaching and response to PHA in Carib grackles. Anim Cogn 2019; 22:625-633. [DOI: 10.1007/s10071-019-01258-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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10
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Riedel J, Vucko MJ, Blomberg SP, Robson SKA, Schwarzkopf L. Ecological associations among epidermal microstructure and scale characteristics of Australian geckos (Squamata: Carphodactylidae and Diplodactylidae). J Anat 2019; 234:853-874. [PMID: 30861577 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A first step in examining factors influencing trait evolution is demonstrating associations between traits and environmental factors. Scale microstructure is a well-studied feature of squamate reptiles (Squamata), including geckos, but few studies examine ecology the of microstructures, and those focus mainly on toe pads. In this study, the ecomorphology of cutaneous microstructures on the dorsum was described for eight Australian species of carphodactylid (Squamata: Carphodactylidae) and 19 diplodactylid (Squamata: Diplodactylidae) geckos. We examined scale dimensions, spinule and cutaneous sensilla (CS) morphology, using scanning electron microscopy, and described associations of these traits with microhabitat selection (arboreal, saxicoline or terrestrial) and relative humidity of each species' habitat (xeric, mesic or humid). We used a phylogenetic flexible discriminant analysis (pFDA) to describe relationships among all traits and then a modeling approach to examine each trait individually. Our analysis showed that terrestrial species tended to have long spinules and CS with more bristles, saxicoline species larger diameter CS and arboreal species tended to have large granule scales and small intergranule scales. There was high overlap in cutaneous microstructural morphology among species from xeric and mesic environments, whereas species from humid environments had large diameter CS and few bristles. Significant associations between epidermal morphology and environmental humidity and habitat suggest that epidermal microstructures have evolved in response to environmental variables. In summary, long spinules, which aid self-cleaning in terrestrial geckos, are consistent with greater exposure to dirt and debris in this habitat. Long spinules were not clearly correlated to environmental humidity. Finally, more complex CS (larger diameter with more bristles) may facilitate better perception of environmental variation in geckos living in drier habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jendrian Riedel
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Matthew J Vucko
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Simone P Blomberg
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Simon K A Robson
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Lin Schwarzkopf
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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11
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Kavaliers M, Ossenkopp KP, Choleris E. Social neuroscience of disgust. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 18:e12508. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kavaliers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program; University of Guelph; Guelph Ontario Canada
| | - Klaus-Peter Ossenkopp
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program; University of Guelph; Guelph Ontario Canada
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12
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Buck JC, Weinstein SB, Young HS. Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences of Parasite Avoidance. Trends Ecol Evol 2018; 33:619-632. [PMID: 29807838 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Predators often cause prey to adopt defensive strategies that reduce predation risk. The 'ecology of fear' examines these trait changes and their consequences. Similarly, parasites can cause hosts to adopt defensive strategies that reduce infection risk. However the ecological and evolutionary consequences of these behaviors (the 'ecology of disgust') are seldom considered. Here we identify direct and indirect effects of parasite avoidance on hosts and parasites, and examine differences between predators and parasites in terms of cost, detectability, and aggregation. We suggest that the nonconsumptive effects of parasites might overshadow their consumptive effects, as has been shown for predators. We emphasize the value of uniting predator-prey and parasite-host theory under a general consumer-resource framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Buck
- Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA.
| | - S B Weinstein
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC 20008, USA
| | - H S Young
- Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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13
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McCabe CM, Nunn CL. Effective Network Size Predicted From Simulations of Pathogen Outbreaks Through Social Networks Provides a Novel Measure of Structure-Standardized Group Size. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:71. [PMID: 29774217 PMCID: PMC5943561 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The transmission of infectious disease through a population is often modeled assuming that interactions occur randomly in groups, with all individuals potentially interacting with all other individuals at an equal rate. However, it is well known that pairs of individuals vary in their degree of contact. Here, we propose a measure to account for such heterogeneity: effective network size (ENS), which refers to the size of a maximally complete network (i.e., unstructured, where all individuals interact with all others equally) that corresponds to the outbreak characteristics of a given heterogeneous, structured network. We simulated susceptible-infected (SI) and susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) models on maximally complete networks to produce idealized outbreak duration distributions for a disease on a network of a given size. We also simulated the transmission of these same diseases on random structured networks and then used the resulting outbreak duration distributions to predict the ENS for the group or population. We provide the methods to reproduce these analyses in a public R package, "enss." Outbreak durations of simulations on randomly structured networks were more variable than those on complete networks, but tended to have similar mean durations of disease spread. We then applied our novel metric to empirical primate networks taken from the literature and compared the information represented by our ENSs to that by other established social network metrics. In AICc model comparison frameworks, group size and mean distance proved to be the metrics most consistently associated with ENS for SI simulations, while group size, centralization, and modularity were most consistently associated with ENS for SIR simulations. In all cases, ENS was shown to be associated with at least two other independent metrics, supporting its use as a novel metric. Overall, our study provides a proof of concept for simulation-based approaches toward constructing metrics of ENS, while also revealing the conditions under which this approach is most promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin M. McCabe
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Charles L. Nunn
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Triangle Center for Evolutionary Medicine (TriCEM), Durham, NC, United States
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14
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Coevolution of cultural intelligence, extended life history, sociality, and brain size in primates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:7908-7914. [PMID: 28739950 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1620734114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Explanations for primate brain expansion and the evolution of human cognition and culture remain contentious despite extensive research. While multiple comparative analyses have investigated variation in brain size across primate species, very few have addressed why primates vary in how much they use social learning. Here, we evaluate the hypothesis that the enhanced reliance on socially transmitted behavior observed in some primates has coevolved with enlarged brains, complex sociality, and extended lifespans. Using recently developed phylogenetic comparative methods we show that, across primate species, a measure of social learning proclivity increases with absolute and relative brain volume, longevity (specifically reproductive lifespan), and social group size, correcting for research effort. We also confirm relationships of absolute and relative brain volume with longevity (both juvenile period and reproductive lifespan) and social group size, although longevity is generally the stronger predictor. Relationships between social learning, brain volume, and longevity remain when controlling for maternal investment and are therefore not simply explained as a by-product of the generally slower life history expected for larger brained species. Our findings suggest that both brain expansion and high reliance on culturally transmitted behavior coevolved with sociality and extended lifespan in primates. This coevolution is consistent with the hypothesis that the evolution of large brains, sociality, and long lifespans has promoted reliance on culture, with reliance on culture in turn driving further increases in brain volume, cognitive abilities, and lifespans in some primate lineages.
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15
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Kavaliers M, Choleris E. Social Cognition and the Neurobiology of Rodent Mate Choice. Integr Comp Biol 2017; 57:846-856. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icx042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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16
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17
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Abstract
Social learning, learning from others, is a powerful process known to impact the success and survival of humans and non-human animals alike. Yet we understand little about the neurocognitive and other processes that underpin social learning. Social learning has often been assumed to involve specialized, derived cognitive processes that evolve and develop independently from other processes. However, this assumption is increasingly questioned, and evidence from a variety of organisms demonstrates that current, recent, and early life experience all predict the reliance on social information and thus can potentially explain variation in social learning as a result of experiential effects rather than evolved differences. General associative learning processes, rather than adaptive specializations, may underpin much social learning, as well as social learning strategies. Uncovering these distinctions is important to a variety of fields, for example by widening current views of the possible breadth and adaptive flexibility of social learning. Nonetheless, just like adaptationist evolutionary explanations, associationist explanations for social learning cannot be assumed, and empirical work is required to uncover the mechanisms involved and their impact on the efficacy of social learning. This work is being done, but more is needed. Current evidence suggests that much social learning may be based on ‘ordinary’ processes but with extraordinary consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon M Reader
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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18
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Jacquin L, Dybwad C, Rolshausen G, Hendry AP, Reader SM. Evolutionary and immediate effects of crude-oil pollution: depression of exploratory behaviour across populations of Trinidadian guppies. Anim Cogn 2016; 20:97-108. [DOI: 10.1007/s10071-016-1027-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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19
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Bicca-Marques JC, Calegaro-Marques C. Ranging behavior drives parasite richness: A more parsimonious hypothesis. Am J Primatol 2016; 78:923-7. [PMID: 27145909 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Parasitism is a ubiquitous interspecific interaction that may play an important role in the evolution of hosts and parasites, molding many aspects of their behavior and ecology. Detecting behavioral changes of hosts infected with parasites is not a straightforward task. Extrapolating from individual-level responses to group-level decision-making is still a much more complex challenge. The ranging behavior of hosts that live in social groups is a good example. Many hypotheses of the cause-effect relationship between this behavior and parasite diversity and load have been proposed. For instance, Brockmeyer et al. [2015, Am. J. Primatol. 77:1036-1048] recently suggested that the richness of protozoan parasites influences the daily path length of free-ranging mandrills. We believe that this explanation for the relationship contains several implicit assumptions. Therefore, we offer an alternative, more parsimonious hypothesis in which daily path length is the driver of parasite richness rather than its consequence. Our hypothesis only assumes that ranging farther exposes animals to a richer parasite diversity. We discuss the data required to test these alternative hypotheses and recall empirical evidence and theoretical modeling results supporting or rejecting their assumptions. We also propose a model of the expected outcomes in terms of species richness, load, intensity of infection, and within-group community similarity of non-lethal environmentally transmitted parasites in social animal groups showing distinct patterns of range use. Am. J. Primatol. 78:923-927, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlio César Bicca-Marques
- Laboratório de Primatologia, Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Calegaro-Marques
- Laboratório de Helmintologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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20
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Reader SM, Morand-Ferron J, Flynn E. Animal and human innovation: novel problems and novel solutions. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 371:20150182. [PMID: 26926273 PMCID: PMC4780525 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This theme issue explores how and why behavioural innovation occurs, and the consequences of innovation for individuals, groups and populations. A vast literature on human innovation exists, from the development of problem-solving in children, to the evolution of technology, to the cultural systems supporting innovation. A more recent development is a growing literature on animal innovation, which has demonstrated links between innovation and personality traits, cognitive traits, neural measures, changing conditions, and the current state of the social and physical environment. Here, we introduce these fields, define key terms and discuss the potential for fruitful exchange between the diverse fields researching innovation. Comparisons of innovation between human and non-human animals provide opportunities, but also pitfalls. We also summarize some key findings specifying the circumstances in which innovation occurs, discussing factors such as the intrinsic nature of innovative individuals and the environmental and socio-ecological conditions that promote innovation, such as necessity, opportunity and free resources. We also highlight key controversies, including the relationship between innovation and intelligence, and the notion of innovativeness as an individual-level trait. Finally, we discuss current research methods and suggest some novel approaches that could fruitfully be deployed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon M Reader
- Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 avenue Docteur Penfield, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1B1
| | - Julie Morand-Ferron
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6N5
| | - Emma Flynn
- School of Education, Durham University, Durham DH1 1TE, UK
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Navarrete AF, Reader SM, Street SE, Whalen A, Laland KN. The coevolution of innovation and technical intelligence in primates. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 371:20150186. [PMID: 26926276 PMCID: PMC4780528 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In birds and primates, the frequency of behavioural innovation has been shown to covary with absolute and relative brain size, leading to the suggestion that large brains allow animals to innovate, and/or that selection for innovativeness, together with social learning, may have driven brain enlargement. We examined the relationship between primate brain size and both technical (i.e. tool using) and non-technical innovation, deploying a combination of phylogenetically informed regression and exploratory causal graph analyses. Regression analyses revealed that absolute and relative brain size correlated positively with technical innovation, and exhibited consistently weaker, but still positive, relationships with non-technical innovation. These findings mirror similar results in birds. Our exploratory causal graph analyses suggested that technical innovation shares strong direct relationships with brain size, body size, social learning rate and social group size, whereas non-technical innovation did not exhibit a direct relationship with brain size. Nonetheless, non-technical innovation was linked to brain size indirectly via diet and life-history variables. Our findings support 'technical intelligence' hypotheses in linking technical innovation to encephalization in the restricted set of primate lineages where technical innovation has been reported. Our findings also provide support for a broad co-evolving complex of brain, behaviour, life-history, social and dietary variables, providing secondary support for social and ecological intelligence hypotheses. The ability to gain access to difficult-to-extract, but potentially nutrient-rich, resources through tool use may have conferred on some primates adaptive advantages, leading to selection for brain circuitry that underlies technical proficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana F Navarrete
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9TS, UK
| | - Simon M Reader
- Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Doctor Penfield Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Sally E Street
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9TS, UK School of Biological, Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Andrew Whalen
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9TS, UK
| | - Kevin N Laland
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9TS, UK
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Audet JN, Ducatez S, Lefebvre L. The town bird and the country bird: problem solving and immunocompetence vary with urbanization. Behav Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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