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.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
380(1922)
Опубликована: Март 20, 2025
Multi-level
vertebrate
societies,
characterized
by
nested
social
units,
allow
individuals
to
perform
a
wide
range
of
tasks
in
cooperation
with
others
beyond
their
core
unit.
In
these
can
selectively
interact
specific
partners
from
higher
levels
cooperatively
distinct
tasks.
Alternatively,
units
the
same
level
merge
form
higher-level
associations,
enabling
benefit
large
without
always
maintaining
The
reasons
why
multi-level
sociality
evolves
some
systems
but
not
are
well
understood.
We
propose
that
this
is
partly
due
lack
data,
especially
regarding
fitness
consequences
at
different
levels.
First,
we
argue
societies
individual
benefits
should
increase
when
performing
associates
Second,
as
more
documented
across
taxa,
will
continue
find
similar
cooperative
performed
each
By
providing
compelling
species
examples,
dolphins
fairy-wrens,
underscore
despite
diversity
organization,
convergence
task
performance
become
clearer
data
accumulates.
Finally,
highlight
role
buffering
fluctuating
environmental
conditions
flexible
associations
emerge
according
need.
This
article
part
theme
issue
‘Division
labour
key
driver
evolution’.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
291(2021)
Опубликована: Апрель 17, 2024
Cooperation
may
emerge
from
intrinsic
factors
such
as
social
structure
and
extrinsic
environmental
conditions.
Although
these
might
reinforce
or
counteract
each
other,
their
interaction
remains
unexplored
in
animal
populations.
Studies
on
multilevel
societies
suggest
a
link
between
structure,
conditions
individual
investment
cooperative
behaviours.
These
exhibit
flexible
configurations,
with
stable
groups
that
overlap
associate
hierarchically.
Structure
can
be
seasonal,
upper-level
units
appearing
only
during
specific
seasons,
lower-level
persisting
year-round.
This
offers
an
opportunity
to
investigate
how
cooperation
relates
Here,
we
study
the
seasonal
society
of
superb
fairy-wrens
(
Malurus
cyaneus
),
observing
responses
experimental
playback
conspecific
distress
calls.
Individuals
engaged
more
helping
behaviour
less
aggressive/territorial
song
harsher
non-breeding
season
compared
breeding
season.
The
increase
was
greater
for
group
members
than
same
community,
upper
unit,
comprised
distinct
association.
Results
drives
switch
cooperation,
supporting
hypothesis
harsh
Journal of Animal Ecology,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
93(8), С. 1147 - 1159
Опубликована: Июль 3, 2024
Abstract
In
various
animal
species
conspecifics
aggregate
at
sleeping
sites.
Such
aggregations
can
act
as
information
centres
where
individuals
acquire
up‐to‐date
knowledge
about
their
environment.
some
species,
communal
sites
comprise
from
multiple
groups,
each
group
maintains
stable
membership
over
time.
We
used
GPS
tracking
to
simultaneously
record
movement
in
a
population
of
wild
vulturine
guineafowl
(
Acryllium
vulturinum
)
investigate
whether
facilitate
the
transfer
among
across
distinct
groups.
These
birds
live
large
and
groups
that
move
both
together
apart,
often
forming
roosts
containing
up
five
first
test
provide
opportunity
for
members
other
by
examining
spatial
organization
roosts.
The
data
reveal
intermix,
thereby
providing
an
out‐group
information.
next
conduct
field
experiment
naïve
locate
novel
food
patches
when
co‐roosting
with
knowledgeable
find
substantially
increases
chances
discover
patch
known
shared
roost.
Further,
we
discovery
subsequently
shapes
space
use
inter‐group
associations.
also
draw
on
our
long‐term
examples
demonstrate
natural
cases
roosting
has
preceded
large‐scale
multi‐group
collective
movements
extend
into
areas
beyond
groups'
normal
ranges.
Our
findings
support
extension
centre
hypothesis
consist
social
Journal of Ornithology,
Год журнала:
2023,
Номер
165(1), С. 27 - 37
Опубликована: Сен. 27, 2023
Abstract
Cues
to
individuality,
and
the
corresponding
capacity
for
individual-level
discrimination,
can
allow
individually
specific
investment
by
conspecifics
into
offspring,
partners,
neighbors
or
competitors.
Here
we
investigated
possible
cues
individuality
via
faces
in
an
ancient
avian
lineage,
Greylag
Goose
(
Anser
anser
).
Konrad
Lorenz
could
famously
name
each
‘his’
flock
from
a
photograph.
Confirming
this
anecdotal
observation,
developed
facial
recognition
software
that
reliably
(~
97%
accuracy)
assign
goose
face
ID
within
database,
using
bill
morphology
normalized
during
photo
preparation.
To
explore
conspecific
detection
of
cues,
erected
life-size
photos
geese
measured
subjects’
responses
themselves
(unfamiliar
goose),
their
partner,
another
mate.
Geese
displayed
significantly
greater
affiliative
response
providing
evidence
use
two-dimensional
images
as
determine
social
category
(partner/non-partner)
and/or
recognition.
Our
methods
provide
novel
approaches
automatically
detect
monitor
test
cognition.
approach
may
also
create
new
opportunities
species
monitoring
more
generally
photographic
citizen-science
engagement.
Multilevel
vertebrate
societies,
characterised
by
nested
social
units,
allow
individuals
to
perform
a
wide
range
of
tasks
in
cooperation
with
others
beyond
their
core
unit.
In
these
can
selectively
interact
specific
partners
from
higher
levels
cooperatively
distinct
tasks.
Alternatively,
units
the
same
level
merge
form
higher-level
associations,
enabling
benefit
large
without
always
maintaining
The
reasons
why
multilevel
sociality
evolves
some
systems
but
not
are
well
understood.
We
propose
that
this
is
partly
due
lack
data,
especially
regarding
fitness
consequences
at
different
levels.
First,
we
argue
societies
individual
benefits
should
increase
when
performing
associates
Secondly,
as
more
documented
across
taxa,
will
continue
find
similar
cooperative
performed
By
providing
compelling
species
examples,
dolphins
fairy-wrens,
underscore
despite
diversity
organisation,
convergence
task
performance
become
clearer
data.
Finally,
highlight
role
buffering
fluctuating
environmental
conditions
flexible
associations
emerge
according
need.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Ноя. 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.
