Social status influences responses to unfamiliar conspecifics in a cooperatively breeding fish

Behaviour ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 152 (12-13) ◽  
pp. 1821-1839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Y. Ligocki ◽  
Adam R. Reddon ◽  
Jennifer K. Hellmann ◽  
Constance M. O’Connor ◽  
Susan Marsh-Rollo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
High Ranking ◽  
The Social ◽  
Cooperatively Breeding ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Group Member

In group living animals, individuals may visit other groups. The costs and benefits of such visits for the members of a group will depend on the attributes and intentions of the visitor, and the social status of responding group members. Using wild groups of the cooperatively breeding cichlid fish (Neolamprologus pulcher), we compared group member responses to unfamiliar ‘visiting’ conspecifics in control groups and in experimentally manipulated groups from which a subordinate the same size and sex as the visitor was removed. High-ranking fish were less aggressive towards visitors in removal groups than in control groups; low-ranking subordinates were more aggressive in the removal treatment. High-ranking females and subordinates the same size and sex as the visitor responded most aggressively toward the visitor in control groups. These results suggest that visitors are perceived as potential group joiners, and that such visits impose different costs and benefits on current group members.

scholarly journals A test of male infanticide as a reproductive tactic in a cichlid fish

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 160891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shagun Jindal ◽  
Aneesh P. H. Bose ◽  
Constance M. O'Connor ◽  
Sigal Balshine
Keyword(s):  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Laboratory Setting ◽  
Dominant Position ◽  
Egg Cannibalism ◽  
Cooperatively Breeding ◽  
Dominant Individual ◽  
Living Species ◽  
Reproductive Tactic ◽  
Relative Body Size

Infanticide and offspring cannibalism are taxonomically widespread phenomena. In some group-living species, a new dominant individual taking over a group can benefit from infanticide if doing so induces potential mates to become reproductively available sooner. Despite widespread observations of infanticide (i.e. egg cannibalism) among fishes, no study has investigated whether egg cannibalism occurs in fishes as a result of group takeovers, or how this type of cannibalism might be adaptive. Using the cooperatively breeding cichlid, Neolamprologus pulcher , we tested whether new unrelated males entering the dominant position in a social group were more likely to cannibalize eggs, and whether such cannibalism would shorten the interval until the female's next spawning. Females spawned again sooner if their broods were removed than if they were cared for. Egg cannibalism occurred frequently after a group takeover event, and was rarer if the original male remained with the group. While dominant breeder females were initially highly aggressive towards newcomer males that took over the group, the degree of resistance depended on relative body size differences between the new pair and, ultimately, female aggression did not prevent egg cannibalism. Egg cannibalism, however, did not shorten the duration until subsequent spawning, or increase fecundity during subsequent breeding in our laboratory setting. Our results show that infanticide as mediated through group takeovers is a taxonomically widespread behaviour.

scholarly journals Neural precursors of future liking and affective reciprocity

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (17) ◽  
pp. 4375-4380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noam Zerubavel ◽  
Mark Anthony Hoffman ◽  
Adam Reich ◽  
Kevin N. Ochsner ◽  
Peter Bearman
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Neural Responses ◽  
Neural Data ◽  
Social Network Data ◽  
The Social ◽  
Interaction Partners ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Flexible Framework ◽  
Predictive Strength ◽  
Group Member

Why do certain group members end up liking each other more than others? How does affective reciprocity arise in human groups? The prediction of interpersonal sentiment has been a long-standing pursuit in the social sciences. We combined fMRI and longitudinal social network data to test whether newly acquainted group members’ reward-related neural responses to images of one another’s faces predict their future interpersonal sentiment, even many months later. Specifically, we analyze associations between relationship-specific valuation activity and relationship-specific future liking. We found that one’s own future (T2) liking of a particular group member is predicted jointly by actor’s initial (T1) neural valuation of partner and by that partner’s initial (T1) neural valuation of actor. These actor and partner effects exhibited equivalent predictive strength and were robust when statistically controlling for each other, both individuals’ initial liking, and other potential drivers of liking. Behavioral findings indicated that liking was initially unreciprocated at T1 yet became strongly reciprocated by T2. The emergence of affective reciprocity was partly explained by the reciprocal pathways linking dyad members’ T1 neural data both to their own and to each other’s T2 liking outcomes. These findings elucidate interpersonal brain mechanisms that define how we ultimately end up liking particular interaction partners, how group members’ initially idiosyncratic sentiments become reciprocated, and more broadly, how dyads evolve. This study advances a flexible framework for researching the neural foundations of interpersonal sentiments and social relations that—conceptually, methodologically, and statistically—emphasizes group members’ neural interdependence.

SOCIAL STATUS AND INVESTIGATORY BEHAVIOUR IN THE ANGELFISH (PTEROPHYLLUM SCALARE)

Behaviour ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 139 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 1469-1490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Gómez-Laplaza
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
The Other ◽  
Potential Predator ◽  
Shortest Distance ◽  
The Social ◽  
Dominant Fish ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Investigatory Behaviour ◽  
Predator Model ◽  
Pterophyllum Scalare

AbstractThe response of juvenile angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) with different dominance ranks towards a potential predator and a nonthreatening novel stimulus was studied when in a group, to assess the influence of the social status on investigatory behaviour. Dominant fish showed a cautious predator inspection behaviour, often approaching the predator model from a relatively safe distance. In contrast, middle ranking fish inspected the predator model closely and the number and duration of the inspection visits to the area closest to the predator were greater than those of the other group members. Subordinate fish tended to avoid the potential predator, but showed the greatest interest in the novel harmless stimulus, investigating it more readily and for more time from the shortest distance than their companions. Dominant fish displayed a rather weak response towards the nonthreatening stimulus, exhibiting the shortest duration of investigation and the longest latency of approach. The response of intermediate ranking fish was more variable, existing little differences with that showed by any of the other fish categories in the parameters considered. The results indicate that dominance relationships within a group may affect behavioural decisions during investigatory behaviour, and suggest that individuals with different social status use different behavioural strategies dependent on the focal stimulus, possibly reflecting adaptive changes and physiological condition.

Strategic and tactical fighting decisions in cichlid fishes with divergent social systems

Behaviour ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Hick ◽  
Adam R. Reddon ◽  
Constance M. O’Connor ◽  
Sigal Balshine
Keyword(s):  
Social Systems ◽  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Social Situation ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Social Species ◽  
Hierarchy Formation ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Social ◽  
Contest Behaviour

The costs and benefits of engaging in a contest will differ depending on the social situation of the individuals involved. Therefore, understanding contest behaviour can help to elucidate the trade-offs of living in differing social systems and shed light on the evolution of social behaviour. In the current study, we compared contest behaviour in two closely related species of Lamprologine cichlid fish. Neolamprologus pulcher and Telmatochromis temporalis are both pair-breeding cichlids, but N. pulcher are highly social, group-living fish, while T. temporalis display no grouping behaviour. To examine how competition varies by species, sex and familiarity, we staged same-sex conspecific contests over a shelter, a resource that is highly valued by both species, where contestants were either familiar or unfamiliar to one another. When we examined tactical and strategic components of these contests, we found that the highly social species had shorter contests and engaged in fewer costly aggressive acts than did the non-social species. Individuals of the highly social species were also more likely to resolve conflicts through the use of submissive displays, while individuals of the non-social species were more likely to flee from conflict. Familiarity increased the use of submissive displays in the highly social species but not in the less social species. Our findings suggest that conflict resolution behaviour and dominance hierarchy formation are fundamentally linked to the evolution of complex social systems.

scholarly journals Effect of relative social rank within a social hierarchy on neural activation in response to familiar or unfamiliar social signals

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Won Lee ◽  
Hollie N. Dowd ◽  
Cyrus Nikain ◽  
Madeleine F. Dwortz ◽  
Eilene D. Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Social Rank ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Social Cues ◽  
Neural Activation ◽  
Social Signals ◽  
Subordinate Male ◽  
Male Urine ◽  
The Social

AbstractCompetent social functioning of group-living species relies on the ability of individuals to detect and utilize conspecific social cues to guide behavior. Previous studies have identified numerous brain regions involved in processing these external cues, collectively referred to as the Social Decision-Making Network. However, how the brain encodes social information with respect to an individual’s social status has not been thoroughly examined. In mice, cues about an individual’s identity, including social status, are conveyed through urinary proteins. In this study, we assessed the neural cFos immunoreactivity in dominant and subordinate male mice exposed to familiar and unfamiliar dominant and subordinate male urine. The posteroventral medial amygdala was the only brain region that responded exclusively to dominant compared to subordinate male urine. In all other brain regions, including the VMH, PMv, and vlPAG, activity is modulated by a combination of odor familiarity and the social status of both the urine donor and the subject receiving the cue. We show that dominant subjects exhibit robust differential activity across different types of cues compared to subordinate subjects, suggesting that individuals perceive social cues differently depending on social experience. These data inform further investigation of neurobiological mechanisms underlying social-status related brain differences and behavior.

scholarly journals SOCIAL VALUE OF THE ELDER PUMI MINORITY IN CHINA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S723-S723
Author(s):  
Meng ran Gao
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Individual Development ◽  
High Status ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Observation Methods ◽  
The Social ◽  
Group Members

Abstract Social status of the elderly nowadays declines rapidly in China. As anthropologist Margaret Mead considered, post-figurative culture leading in contemporary society and the source of knowledge are from youth. The value of the elderly has been overlooked. However, in Pumi, one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in northwestern Yunnan Province of China, it is common that senior residents have high social status. This study examines the social values the Pumi elderly have by systematic analysis and participation observation methods. Based on data collected in a Pumi village during a 6-month fieldtrip, we conclude that Pumi elderly enjoy a high status in the community. They occupy core positions in all important ceremonies, such as religious activities and other daily activities including hospice. Factors behind the special old-age care phenomenon are Pumi’s history and its culture. The special culture has united the group members together and enhanced individual development with community social capital. It is clear that respecting elderly does not only contribute the transformation of ethnical knowledge but also enhance community cohesiveness. Evaluating the role of the elderly should not only from economic perspective, but also from the holistic perspective of social culture, so as to reconsider the importance of the elderly to our society.

Social factors modulating attention patterns in carrion crows

Behaviour ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (5) ◽  
pp. 555-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia A.F. Wascher ◽  
Jose W. Valdez ◽  
Cristina Núñez Cebrián ◽  
Vittorio Baglione ◽  
Daniela Canestrari
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Experimental Session ◽  
Complex Societies ◽  
Mate Quality ◽  
Corvus Corone ◽  
Group Members

A benefit of group living is the opportunity for individuals to gain valuable information from others, for example about predators, food sources or mate quality. However paying attention to conspecifics also induces costs such as time constraints. In order to optimize information-gaining processes individuals are expected to be selective with regards to whom and what they pay attention to. This selectivity may depend on factors like context, sex, age and social status of both the observing individual and the model. In the present study, we investigated the attention patterns in carrion crows (Corvus corone corone). Since carrion crows live in complex societies where the use of social information is likely to be highly beneficial, we expect attention patterns to be strongly affected by social factors. Nineteen captive crows were presented with either familiar or unfamiliar and kin or non-kin model individuals. We quantified the duration and frequency each observer watched the model in each experimental session. Familiarity with the model did neither affect watching duration nor frequency. However, there was an effect of kinship on individual attention, with male crows observing non-kin at higher frequency than kin, whereas female observers showed no preference. We also found an effect of the percentage of group members watching within a session and attentiveness of each observer. Overall, our study shows that social factors affect attention patterns in crows.

Group Responses To Specially Skilled Individuals in a Macaca Fascicularis Group

Behaviour ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 107 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 241-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduard Stammbach
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Macaca Fascicularis ◽  
Social Position ◽  
Spatial Proximity ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
High Ranking ◽  
The Social ◽  
Lower Ranking ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Two Phases

The aim of this study was to investigate the capability of monkeys to assess special characteristics in conspecifics. In a first phase I ascertained that all members of a colony of longtailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) were able to attain food by manipulating a one lever apparatus, thus introducing the "tradition" of lever pulling. Then, experiments were carried out on subgroups of the colony where only one of the lower ranking subgroup members was trained to succeed in a more complex task where three levers had to be pulled in a correct sequence. Eight specialists were established in sequence. These specialists became food producers for themselves and for the other group members. Each trial of a specialist's series was carried out in two phases. In the first, the food phase, the food dispensing apparatus was active and responses of other subgroup members to the food producing specialist were observed. In the second, the social phase, the apparatus remained inactive and observations focused on social interactions of the subgroup. As expected, primarily high ranking subgroup members attempted to participate in the food rewards gained by the specialist. It is shown that high ranking animals began to hold back their initial chasing of the specialist from the food site in course of the trials and were soon tolerated to sit near the subordinate food producer. Furthermore, some of the non-specialists began to follow or even to pass the specialist when he was approaching the apparatus to manipulate the levers. These non-specialists thus indicated that they were able to anticipate later actions. In seven out of 55 specialist-non-specialist relationships all predicted changes in social interactions occurred. In the majority of the dyads in which a change in social affiliation was registered an increase of grooming or spatial proximity was positively correlated with the amount of benefit gained from the specialist. In the social phase of the trials the non-specialists gave more grooming to the food producers and maintained spatial proximity even in this second phase. To conclude: At least some of the group members became aware of the skills of the specialists and adapted their behaviour accordingly as if to maximize benefits from their skills. Previous studies had already suggested that monkeys know about social position, social relationships and kinship of group members. This study adds a new aspect of knowledge, namely knowledge on capabilities and skills of others. Differential knowledge allows monkeys to select partners optimally according to their skills and social position.

scholarly journals Ecogeography of group size suggests differences in drivers of sociality among cooperatively breeding fairywrens

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison E. Johnson ◽  
Joseph F. Welklin ◽  
Ian R. Hoppe ◽  
Daizaburo Shizuka
Keyword(s):  
Social Systems ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Cost Of Reproduction ◽  
Harsh Environments ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Resource Defense ◽  
Social Variation ◽  
Cooperatively Breeding ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Insight Into

Cooperatively breeding species exhibit a range of social behaviors associated with different costs and benefits to group-living, often in association with different environmental conditions. For example, species in which collective-care of offspring reduces the cost of reproduction are more common in harsh environments (true cooperative breeding), while species that collectively defend resources are present in benign environments (family-living). Here, we examine whether environment also shapes sociality within cooperatively-breeding species. We illustrate that Purple-backed Fairywrens, which primarily gain intrinsic, or collective-care benefits, have larger groups in hot, dry environments and smaller groups in cool, wet environments, whereas Superb Fairywrens which primarily gain extrinsic, or resource defense benefits, exhibit the opposite trend. We suggest differences in the costs and benefits of sociality contribute to these opposing ecogeographic patterns, demonstrating that comparisons of intraspecific patterns of social variation across species can provide insight into how ecology shapes transitions between social systems.

Rich Burials of Children at Zeleny Yar, Northwestern Siberia

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 70-79
Author(s):  
Al. V. Gusev
Keyword(s):  
Special Reference ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
High Ranking ◽  
The Social ◽  
High Social Status ◽  
Burial Rite ◽  
The Middle Ages

This article introduces high-ranking burials of children excavated in 2015 and 2018 at a medieval cemetery Zeleny Yar on the lower Ob. A detailed description of the burial rite is provided, with special reference to the shape and construction of the burials and the position of the bodies. Burial goods include a hatchet, a scabbard, bracelets, and temple rings. The high social status of the children is discussed. The fi nds are compared with those relating to medieval children’s burials in adjacent territories—the Surgut, Novosibirsk, and Tomsk regions of the Ob. Also, ethnographic evidence concerning the social status of 6–7-year-old boys among the indigenous northern minorities are discussed. Archaeological and ethnographic sources suggest that high-ranking burials of children (boys) appear in northwestern Siberia no later than the Middle Ages.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document