A guide to sampling design for GPS‐based studies of animal societies

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(8), P. 1887 - 1905

Published: Oct. 11, 2022

Abstract GPS‐based tracking is widely used for studying wild social animals. Much like traditional observational methods, using GPS devices requires making a number of decisions about sampling that can affect the robustness study's conclusions. For example, fewer individuals per group across more distinct groups may not be sufficient to infer group‐ or subgroup‐level behaviours, while limits ability draw conclusions populations. Here, we provide quantitative recommendations when designing studies animal societies. We focus on trade‐offs between three fundamental axes effort: (1) coverage—the and allocation among in one groups; (2) duration—the total amount time over which collect data (3) frequency—the temporal resolution at record data. first test tags under field conditions quantify how these aspects design both accuracy (error absolute positional estimates) precision estimate relative position two individuals), demonstrating error have profound effects inferring distances individuals. then use from whole‐group tracked vulturine guineafowl Acryllium vulturinum demonstrate trade‐off frequency duration impact inferences interactions coverage common measures behaviour groups, identifying types are less robust lower Finally, data‐informed simulations extend insights different sizes cohesiveness. Based our results, able offer range strategies address research questions organizational scales systems—from movement network structure collective decision‐making. Our study provides practical advice empiricists navigate their decision‐making processes highlights importance optimal deployment drawing informative

Language: Английский

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Group-level differences in social network structure remain repeatable after accounting for environmental drivers

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10(7)

Published: July 1, 2023

Individuals show consistent between-individual behavioural variation when they interact with conspecifics or heterospecifics. Such patterns might underlie emergent group-specific and between-group differences. However, little is known about (i) how social non-social drivers (external drivers) shape group-level structures (ii) whether animal groups differences in structure after accounting for external drivers. We used automated tracking to quantify daily interactions association networks 12 colonies of zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ). quantified the effects five (group size, group composition, ecological factors, physical environments methodological differences) on interaction tested expressed day-to-day network controlling these Overall, we found that contribute significantly structure. even contribution drivers, there remained significant support both (repeatability R : up 0.493) 0.736) structures. Our study demonstrates behaviour can be partitioned into different variation, contributions from factors.

Language: Английский

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Beyond the dyad: uncovering higher-order structure within cohesive animal groups

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 30, 2022

ABSTRACT Revealing the consequences of social structure in animal societies is largely determined by our ability to accurately estimate functionally relevant patterns contact among individuals. To date, studies have predominantly built up from dyadic connections. However, many associations or interactions can involve more than two individuals participating together, which current approaches cannot distinguish independent sets Here we demonstrate application higher-order networks detect central roles dominance and sex structuring groups vulturine guineafowl ( Acryllium vulturinum ). Specifically, find that while females low-ranking group members engage interactions, males dominant are substantially likely be observed forming hyperlinks—edges contain (e.g. a triad). These results how provide deeper understanding multidimensionality difference centrality members.

Language: Английский

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Camera trapping and telemetry for detecting and quantifying animal interactions: Not anything goes

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 160, P. 111877 - 111877

Published: March 1, 2024

Telemetry using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and camera trapping are two widely used approaches to detect animal interactions involving wildlife. However, while the former follows an individual-based approach, latter a population-based which may lead different outcomes when describing interaction networks. In this study, we compared performance of GPS telemetry, regular grid (CT-RG), resource monitoring (in cameras placed valuable for animals, such as water or food; CT-RM) in detecting quantifying interactions. We spatially explicit simulated trajectories 150 individuals 3 imaginary species. 9 scenarios visiting frequency spatial aggregation environment assess potential influence behavior landscape structure. The were sampled three with six sampling efforts each, direct indirect between species quantified. Additionally, CT-RG CT-RM applied Doñana National Park evaluate their differences limitations field application. terms simulation, offered best interactions, achieved good high number fixes per hour. Both also CT-RG, on other hand, missed most but correctly identified pairs that interacted indirectly at some point. trial, detected almost same interacting indirectly. least half directly. favors over CT-RM, opposite occurs visits increases. To summarize, is reliable method feasible (e.g., small ponds arid areas). Otherwise, show better performance, although it miss if fix rate not used. Finally, use should be limited identify could potentially interact indirectly, quantify these

Language: Английский

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Behavioural plasticity shapes population ageing patterns

Published: March 1, 2024

Studying the mechanisms shaping age-related changes in behaviour ("behavioural ageing") is important for understanding population dynamics our changing world. Yet, studies that capture within-individual behavioural wild populations of long-lived animals are still scarce. Here, we used a 15-year GPS-tracking dataset social obligate scavenger, griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), to investigate movement and behaviours, disentangle role plasticity selection such patterns. We tracked 142 individuals up 12 years found non-linear increase site fidelity with age. This pattern resulted from throughout their life (behavioural plasticity) not selective disappearance. Mature vultures increased predictability routines spent more time at prime roosting sites compared younger individuals. Thus, adults likely have competitive advantage over conspecifics. These were mirrored behaviour. Older interacted less associates (decreasing average strength age), particularly during breeding season. Our results reveal variety ageing patterns species underscore importance Comprehensive longitudinal imperative how shape persistence animal facing human-induced environmental changes.

Language: Английский

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A wrap-around movement path randomization method to distinguish social and spatial drivers of animal interactions

Published: May 8, 2024

Studying the spatial-social interface requires tools that distinguish between social and spatial drivers of interactions. Testing hypotheses regarding factors determining animal interactions often involves comparing observed with reference or ’null’ models. One approach to accounting for in models is randomizing movement paths decouple phenotypes while maintaining environmental effects on movements. Here, we update a model detects attraction above effect constraints. We explore utility our 'wrap-around' method compare its performance previous using agent-based simulations. The wrap-around provides are more similar original tracking data, still distinguishing drivers. Furthermore, results fewer false-positives than predecessor, especially when animals do not return one place each night but change foci, either locally directionally. Finally, show among GPS-tracked griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) emerge from rather constraints their conclude by highlighting biological situations which updated might be most suitable testing about underlying causes

Language: Английский

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Cooperative breeding in a plural breeder: the vulturine guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum)

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 23, 2022

ABSTRACT Cooperative breeding is widely reported across the animal kingdom. In birds, it hypothesised to be most common in altricial species (where chicks are dependent on parental care nest after hatching), with few described cases precocial more independent immediately hatching). However, cooperative may also difficult detect and therefore has been overlooked. this study, we investigate whether vulturine guineafowl ( Acryllium vulturinum )—which have young—breed cooperatively and, if so, how distributed among group members. Using data collected from colour-banded individuals one social of over three different seasons, found that multiple females can attempt reproduce same season. Broods had close adult associates, these associates exhibited four distinct behaviours: babysitting, within-group chick guarding, covering under wings calling food. Further, offspring significantly male-biased, non-mother provided each brood received, differed much help they carers pay a foraging cost when providing care. Our results confirm breeders, which combine an unusual plural-breeding system. study adds growing evidence widespread young than previously thought, thereby counterpoint altriciality-cooperative hypothesis.

Language: Английский

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Advances in biologging can identify nuanced energetic costs and gains in predators

Published: June 8, 2023

Foraging is a key driver of animal movement patterns, with specific challenges for predators which must search mobile prey.These patterns are increasingly impacted by global changes, principally in land use and climate.Understanding the degree flexibility predator foraging social strategies pertinent to wildlife conservation under change, including potential top-down effects on wider ecosystems.Here we propose future research directions better understand predators.In particular, rapid continued advances biologging technology helping record dynamic behavioural responses animals, ensuing energetic consequences, environmental changes.Data collection can be optimised calibrating interpretation methods captive settings strategic tagging decisions within between groups.Importantly, many species systems being found more flexible than originally described literature, may readily detectable through approaches observation.Integrating physical landscape biotic interactions will explaining predicting movements balance changing world.

Language: Английский

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Social and spatial drivers of the multitiered structure of zebra finch social networks

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 25, 2024

Social network structure plays a key role in shaping processes animal populations. These networks often show distinct patterns humans and other large mammals, with relationship strengths organized into different tiers. Here, we used continuous fine-scale tracking of four captive colonies zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), revealing that consistently have 1-2 closest contacts, 6-7 close 22-24 strong contacts. The identities these contacts remain stable across days, maintained by spatial affinity, while are social choice. results suggest finches' egocentric composed consistent, differentiated relationships forming multitiered structure. similarities to species fundamental principles, such as limitations time the ability move through space, could drive common structural properties networks.

Language: Английский

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Social and Spatial Drivers of the Multitiered Structure of Zebra Finch Social Networks

Published: Dec. 5, 2024

Social network structure plays a key role in shaping processes animal populations. These networks often show distinct patterns humans and other large mammals, with relationship strengths organized into different tiers. Here, we used continuous, fine-scale tracking of four captive colonies zebra finches (_Taeniopygia guttata_), revealing that consistently have 1-2 closest contacts, 6-7 close 22-24 strong contacts. The identities these contacts remain stable across days, maintained by spatial affinity while are social choice. results suggest egocentric made up consistent, differentiated relationships forming multitiered structure. similarities to species fundamental principles, such as limitations time the ability move through space, could drive common structural properties networks.

Language: Английский

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