Territorial Marking With Faeces in Badgers (Meles Meles) : a Comparison of Boundary and Hinterland Latrine Use

Behaviour ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 127 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 289-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.J. Roper ◽  
L. Conradt ◽  
J. Butler ◽  
S.E. Christian ◽  
J. Ostler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Mate Guarding ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Scent Mark ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Territorial Function ◽  
Latrine Use ◽  
Territorial Marking

Abstract Badgers (Meles meles) defecate, urinate and scent mark at latrines which seem to have a territorial function. The main aim of the present study was to compare defecation patterns at boundary and hinterland latrines, in order to test the hypothesis that these two types of latrine have a similar function. We investigated latrine use by means of a year-round survey of all the latrines in 7 badger territories, by bait-marking of 15 territories, and by monitoring latrine use in 6 radio-collared badgers belonging to three social groups. The spatial distribution of latrines within a territory was bimodal, with the greatest densities oflatrines close to the outside, and close to the centre, of the territory respectively. Boundary latrines were larger and more consistently used than hinterland latrines, but these differences could be accounted for by the fact that boundary latrines are visited by the members of more than one social group. Defecation at latrines was subject to seasonal variation, with a major peak in latrine use in spring and a minor peak in autumn. The spring peak was largely attributable to an increase in the use of hinterland latrines, the autumn peak to an increase in the use of boundary latrines. Males visited boundary latrines considerably more often than did females, but both sexes visited hinterland latrines equally often. Overmarking occurred equally often at both types of latrine and involved animals from the same as well as from different groups, but there was a significant tendency for more between-group than within-group overmarking. Overmarking occurred mainly on fresh, as opposed to old, faeces deposits. The sex and seasonal differences in use of boundary latrines suggest that these function at least partly as a form of mate-guarding, to deter neighbouring males from entering a territory for mating purposes. It is less clear why females mark at hinterland latrines. One possibility, consistent with the observed spatial distribution of hinterland latrines, is that they function to defend the main burrow system, which is used for breeding; another is that they carry information about social status. Overmarking probably serves to obliterate the marks of competitors, which are members of neighbouring social groups in the case of boundary latrines, but may be members of the same social group in the case of hinterland latrines. We conclude that previous ideas about the function of territoriality in badgers, and about the information conveyed by latrines, are oversimplified.

SETT USE IN EUROPEAN BADGERS MELES MELES

Behaviour ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Use Of Space ◽  
Sleeping Sites ◽  
European Badgers ◽  
Burrow Use ◽  
Ectoparasite Infestation

AbstractThe European badger Meles meles constructs burrows of two basic types: 'main setts' and 'outliers'. We examined daytime burrow use year-round in 19 radio-collared badgers belonging to six different social groups, in order to test the hypotheses relating use of multiple sleeping sites to ectoparasite avoidance and social status. Ten animals rarely or never slept away from the main sett, while the remaining nine animals spent 20-73% of their days in outliers, mainly in summer. Outlier use was not related to sex or body condition, but animals that used outliers tended to be younger and had larger numbers of fleas than those that remained in the main sett year-round. Within the main sett, all the members of a social group had overlapping ranges: i.e. the sett was not divided into separate 'territories'. Group ranges were smallest in winter and largest in summer/autumn. Nest chambers were usually shared between at least two members of a social group on any one day, but males slept alone more often than did females. Individuals tended to cluster together in the same nest chamber more in winter than at other times of year, presumably to gain thermoregulatory advantage from huddling. We conclude that the pattern of burrow use in badgers is complex. Use of space within the main sett and tendency to disperse to outliers in the summer are in part affected by ectoparasite infestation, while use of space within the main sett is also influenced by variables such as sex and age that may reflect social status.

Towards a computational theory of social groups: A finite set of cognitive primitives for representing any and all social groups in the context of conflict

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-62
Author(s):  
David Pietraszewski
Keyword(s):  
Social Group ◽  
Group Representation ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Human Mind ◽  
Computational Theory ◽  
Mistaken Belief ◽  
Finite Set ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract We don't yet have adequate theories of what the human mind is representing when it represents a social group. Worse still, many people think we do. This mistaken belief is a consequence of the state of play: Until now, researchers have relied on their own intuitions to link up the concept social group on the one hand, and the results of particular studies or models on the other. While necessary, this reliance on intuition has been purchased at considerable cost. When looked at soberly, existing theories of social groups are either (i) literal, but not remotely adequate (such as models built atop economic games), or (ii) simply metaphorical (typically a subsumption or containment metaphor). Intuition is filling in the gaps of an explicit theory. This paper presents a computational theory of what, literally, a group representation is in the context of conflict: it is the assignment of agents to specific roles within a small number of triadic interaction types. This “mental definition” of a group paves the way for a computational theory of social groups—in that it provides a theory of what exactly the information-processing problem of representing and reasoning about a group is. For psychologists, this paper offers a different way to conceptualize and study groups, and suggests that a non-tautological definition of a social group is possible. For cognitive scientists, this paper provides a computational benchmark against which natural and artificial intelligences can be held.

Time budgets of group-housed pigs in relation to social aggression and production

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carly I O’Malley ◽  
Juan P Steibel ◽  
Ronald O Bates ◽  
Catherine W Ernst ◽  
Janice M Siegford
Keyword(s):  
Social Group ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Social Aggression ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Aggressive Behaviors ◽  
Welfare Benefits ◽  
Production Parameters ◽  
Use Of Resources

Abstract Commercial producers house growing pigs by sex and weight to allow for efficient use of resources and provide pigs the welfare benefits of interacting with their conspecifics and more freedom of movement. However, introduction of unfamiliar pigs can cause increased aggression for 24-48 h as pigs establish social relationships. To address this issue, a better understanding of pig behavior is needed. The objectives of this study were to quantify time budgets of pigs following introduction into a new social group and how these changed over time, and to investigate how social aggression influences overall time budgets and production parameters. A total of 257 grow-finish Yorkshire barrows across 20 pens were introduced into new social groups at 10 wk of age (~23 kg) and observed for aggression and time budgets of behavior at 4 periods: immediately after introduction, 3, 6, and 9 wk later. Pigs were observed for duration of total aggression and initiated aggression (s) for 9 h after introduction and for 4 h at 3, 6, and 9 wk later. Time budgets were created by scan-sampling inactive, movement, ingestion, social, and exploration behaviors every 2 min for 4 h in the afternoon and summarizing proportion of time each behavior was performed by period. Least square means of each behavior were compared across time points. Pigs spent most of their time inactive. In general, the greatest change in pig behavior was observed between introduction and wk 3 (P<0.003), with gradual changes throughout the study period as pigs became more inactive (wk 3 vs. wk 6: P=0.209; wk 6 vs. wk 9: P=0.007) and spent less time on other behaviors. Pigs’ non-aggressive behavior and production parameters were compared to aggression using generalized linear mixed models. The time pigs spent on non-aggressive behaviors were negatively related to aggression (P<0.045) with few exceptions. Initiated aggression after introduction was negatively related to loin muscle area (P=0.003). These results show how finishing pigs spend their time in commercial facilities and indicate that behavior continues to change for up to 9 wk after introduction to a new social group. Efforts to reduce chronic levels of aggression should focus on promoting non-aggressive behaviors, such as exploration and movement, after the initial fighting that occurs immediately after introduction has waned and should be implemented for up at 9 wk after introduction into new social groups.

scholarly journals Spatial distribution and sett use by the Japanese badger, Meles meles anakuma.

Mammal Study ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Tanaka ◽  
Akira Yamanaka ◽  
Katsuhiko Endo
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Meles Meles

Some aspects of the ecology of bagrid catfishes in a southern Nigerian river

1991 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Idodo-Umeh ◽  
Reginald Victor
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Major Peak ◽  
Fish Yield ◽  
Southern Nigeria ◽  
Minor Peak ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Principal Species ◽  
Dry And Rainy Seasons

ABSTRACTSome aspects of the ecology of bagrid catfishes in River Ase, southern Nigeria were studied for a period of two years. Nine species of Bagridae were recorded and these accounted for 15.0% of the number and 24.4% of the weight of all fish captured. Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Chrysichthys auratus longifilis were the principal species. C. nigrodigitatus was a rainy season species, while C. auratus longifilis was abundant in both dry and rainy seasons. Both species showed a major peak in catches between 0600 and 0900 h. C. nigrodigitatus exhibited a minor peak in catches between 1500 and 2100h, while C. auratus longifilis showed a minor peak between 1500 and 1800h. The spatial distribution of C. nigrodigitatus and C. auratus longifilis populations was heterogeneous. Bagrid fishes were an important component in the fish yield of the study river and its species composition has been compared with those of other Nigerian waters. The distribution and abundance of C. nigrodigitatus and C. auratus longifilis are discussed in detail.

scholarly journals Blood thicker than water: kinship, disease prevalence and group size drive divergent patterns of infection risk in a social mammal

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1835) ◽  
pp. 20160798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare H. Benton ◽  
Richard J. Delahay ◽  
Andrew Robertson ◽  
Robbie A. McDonald ◽  
Alastair J. Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Dilution Effect ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Susceptibility To Infection ◽  
Molecular Genetic Data ◽  
Herd Immunity Effect

The importance of social- and kin-structuring of populations for the transmission of wildlife disease is widely assumed but poorly described. Social structure can help dilute risks of transmission for group members, and is relatively easy to measure, but kin-association represents a further level of population sub-structure that is harder to measure, particularly when association behaviours happen underground. Here, using epidemiological and molecular genetic data from a wild, high-density population of the European badger ( Meles meles ), we quantify the risks of infection with Mycobacterium bovis (the causative agent of tuberculosis) in cubs. The risk declines with increasing size of its social group, but this net dilution effect conceals divergent patterns of infection risk. Cubs only enjoy reduced risk when social groups have a higher proportion of test-negative individuals. Cubs suffer higher infection risk in social groups containing resident infectious adults, and these risks are exaggerated when cubs and infectious adults are closely related. We further identify key differences in infection risk associated with resident infectious males and females. We link our results to parent–offspring interactions and other kin-biased association, but also consider the possibility that susceptibility to infection is heritable. These patterns of infection risk help to explain the observation of a herd immunity effect in badgers following low-intensity vaccination campaigns. They also reveal kinship and kin-association to be important, and often hidden, drivers of disease transmission in social mammals.

Statistical Properties of Social Group Evolution

2011 ◽  
pp. 38-56
Author(s):  
Gergely Palla ◽  
Tamás Vicsek
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Time Evolution ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Statistical Properties ◽  
Statistical Features ◽  
New Members ◽  
Constant Change ◽  
Group Evolution ◽  
General Statistical

The authors’ focus is on the general statistical features of the time evolution of communities (also called as modules, clusters or cohesive groups) in large social networks. These structural sub-units can correspond to highly connected circles of friends, families, or professional cliques, which are subject to constant change due to the intense fluctuations in the activity and communication patterns of people. The communities can grow by recruiting new members, or contract by loosing members; two (or more) groups may merge into a single community, while a large enough social group can split into several smaller ones; new communities are born and old ones may disappear. According to our results, the time evolution of social groups containing only a few members and larger communities, e.g., institutions show significant differences.

Conclusion

2020 ◽  
pp. 243-247
Author(s):  
James Pickett
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
Social Roles ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Social Functions ◽  
Regional Networks ◽  
Mix And Match ◽  
Forms Of Knowledge ◽  
Integrated Knowledge

This concluding chapter explains that for all of their eclecticism, and for all their seeming paradoxes, the polymaths of Islam were united by a common madrasa education, mastery of a canon of texts, and shared regional networks. Their curriculum went far beyond the grammar and logic emphasized in the madrasa. Even mastering substantive Islamic law from medieval Arabic texts was necessary, but not sufficient, to distinguish a high Persianate intellectual from his many, many competitors. Most of the ulama — especially those who rose to the top — studied a plethora of collateral disciplines: poetry, mysticism, astronomy, calligraphy, medicine, trade, and more. Secondary scholarship often pairs these forms of knowledge with discrete communities, differentiating scholars, poets, sufis, and physicians into distinct social groups, with the sufi-ulama dichotomy especially pronounced. However, these were not separate groups with separate corporate identities. Rather, they were discrete social roles performed by a single social group. Their integrated knowledge base allowed them to mix and match social functions with impunity.

scholarly journals Participation in social group and wellbeing status of rural women in Oyo State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23
Author(s):  
Oluwaseun Aderonke Adeleke ◽  
Falilat Shadefunmi Alani
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Social Functions ◽  
Group Activities ◽  
Group Participation ◽  
Multi Stage

This study examined participation in social group and wellbeing status of rural women in Oyo State. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to obtain data from 170 rural women who are members of selected social groups. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. More than half (54.1%) of the respondents had low level of social group participation. Benefits derived from social group participation were social control ( x̄ = 1.65), access to credits and loans ( x̄ =1.35), security of goods ( x̄ =1.62) and invitation to social functions ( x̄ =1.72). Time ( x̄ =0.64), distance of the meeting venue ( x̄ =0.45) and financial constraint ( x̄ =0.39) were some of the factors that affect social group participation among the women. There was no significant relationship between participation (r = 0.126) in social group and wellbeing status of rural women. Based on these findings, this study has implications for the assessment of social groups in rural communities as they serve as strong platform for dissemination of social and agricultural information. This study therefore recommends that social groups should be well organised by engaging in activities that will improve the quality of life of rural women in all spheres, this will increase their involvement in group activities, improve their wellbeing and ensure rural development.Keywords: Participation, social groups, social security, time, wellbeing

scholarly journals Nontyphoidal Salmonellae in United Kingdom Badgers: Prevalence and Spatial Distribution

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 4312-4315 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sian Wilson ◽  
Sarah M. Hazel ◽  
Nicola J. Williams ◽  
Amos Phiri ◽  
Nigel P. French ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Pulsed Field

ABSTRACT Eighteen (72%) of 25 badger social groups were found to excrete Salmonella enterica serovar Ried, S. enterica serovar Binza, S. enterica serovar Agama, or S. enterica serovar Lomita. Each serovar was susceptible to a panel of antimicrobials. Based on results of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, the S. enterica serovar Agama and S. enterica serovar Binza isolates were very similar, but two clones each of S. enterica serovar Lomita and S. enterica serovar Ried were found. Badgers excreting S. enterica serovar Agama were spatially clustered.

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