The Social Organisation of a Population of Free-Ranging Dogs in a Suburban Area of Rome

2014 ◽  
pp. 65-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Bonanni ◽  
Simona Cafazzo
1980 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
ST Garnett

A population of dusky moorhens was studied between October 1974 and December 1976. Moorhens were present in the study area throughout the year, existing predominantly in free-ranging flocks in May and June and tending to form territorial groups of from two to seven birds from July to April. In a group there were from one to three males per female; all males copulated with all females. Groups formed in July were predominantly of experienced adults and did not cease territoriality until April; those formed later, in September, were predominantly of immatures and tended to cease territoriality in March. The former had larger territories with more reeds, less sexual behaviour although more frequent successful coition, and a higher productivity than the latter. Productivity did not increase with group size although those with more than four birds lost twice as many eggs as smaller groups. It is unlikely that members of a group are related. The most frequent group size was four and it is postulated that groups of this size produce the most young. The skewed ratio in groups may result from the scarcity of nest sites, which limits the number of females per group.


2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (10) ◽  
pp. 1854-1861
Author(s):  
Aurélien Vivancos ◽  
Gerry Closs

Key aspects of the social behaviour of groups of drift-feeding fish can be inferred by the way space is shared between group members, because they inhabit a very dynamic and complex environment where spatial positions have a direct impact on fitness-related traits. Therefore, the spatial analysis of such a system can reveal important insights into behavioural ecology of fish, but so far, technical constraints limited this approach to only large salmonids. We used a digital imaging technique to monitor movements and behaviour of free-ranging groups of juvenile galaxiids (Galaxias anomalus) facing two contrasting physical and social contexts. We described the spatial structure of these groups and studied individual space use in relation to their social behaviour. We found that prevalence of territorial behaviour differs greatly between sites, which suggests that groups were displaying different social organisation. This study showed that detailed spatial analysis of space use and behaviour of drift-feeding fish could provide new insights into the social organisation of group-living animals.


Author(s):  
Simone Anzá ◽  
Bonaventura Majolo ◽  
Federica Amici

AbstractGenerally, nonreproductive sex is thought to act as “social grease,” facilitating peaceful coexistence between subjects that lack close genetic ties. However, specifc nonreproductive sexual behaviors may fulfill different functions. With this study, we aimed to test whether nonreproductive mounts in Barbary macaques are used to 1) assert dominance, 2) reinforce social relationships, and/or 3) solve conflicts. We analyzed nonreproductive mounts (N = 236) and postmount behavior in both aggressive and nonaggressive contexts, in 118 individuals belonging to two semi-free-ranging groups at La Montagne des Singes (France). As predicted by the dominance assertion hypothesis, the probability to be the mounter increased with rank difference, especially in aggressive contexts (increasing from 0.066 to 0.797 in nonaggressive contexts, and from 0.011 to 0.969 in aggressive contexts, when the rank difference was minimal vs. maximal). The strength of the social bond did not significantly predict the proportion of mounts across dyads in nonaggressive contexts, providing no support for the relationship reinforcement hypothesis. Finally, in support of the conflict resolution hypothesis, when individuals engaged in postconflict mounts, 1) the probability of being involved in further aggression decreased from 0.825 to 0.517, while 2) the probability of being involved in grooming interactions with each other increased from 0.119 to 0.606. The strength of the social bond between former opponents had no significant effect on grooming occurrence and agonistic behavior after postconflict mounts. Overall, our findings suggest that nonreproductive mounts in Barbary macaques have different functions that are not affected by the strength of the social bond.


1998 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Ashwin

Various arguments have been put forward to explain the social stability of the post-Stalin era, in particular theories of a “social contract”, “incorporation” or “atomisation”. This article argues that all these theories have been cast into serious doubt by the response of workers to the reforms of the post-communist era and proposes an alternative view of the integration of workers which centres on the social organisation of the traditional Soviet enterprise. It goes on to show the way in which the form of workers' relation to the labour collective has structured their behaviour during the transition era.


Koedoe ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S.C.J. Joubert ◽  
P.J.L. Bronkhorst

The population trends and distribution of the tsessebe population of the Kruger National Park are evaluated in terms of the available data derived from records compiled in the developmental history of the Kruger National Park (KNP). The recent numerical status of the population is also given. A description of the habitats favoured by tsessebe in the KNP is presented as well as an analysis of the age structure and sex-ratio of the population. Aspects of the social organisation of tsessebe affecting the interpretation of the age structure and sex-ratio phenomena of the population, are also discussed.


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