Experimental field evidence that out-group threats influence within-group behavior

Title
Experimental field evidence that out-group threats influence within-group behavior
Publication Date
2019
Author(s)
Morris-Drake, Amy
Christensen, Charlotte
Kern, Julie M
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7619-8653
Email: jkern@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:jkern
Radford, Andrew N
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Place of publication
United States of America
DOI
10.1093/beheco/arz095
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/30481
Abstract
In social species, conspecific outsiders present various threats to groups and their members. These out-group threats are predicted to affect subsequent within-group interactions (e.g., affiliation and aggression) and individual behavior (e.g., foraging and vigilance decisions). However, experimental investigations of such consequences are rare, especially in natural conditions. We used field-based call playbacks and fecal presentations on habituated wild dwarf mongooses (Helogale parvula)—a cooperatively breeding, territorial species—to examine postinteraction responses to the simulated threat of a rival group. Dwarf mongooses invested more in grooming of groupmates, foraged closer together, and more regularly acted as sentinels (a raised guard) after encountering indicators of rival-group presence compared to control conditions. These behavioral changes likely arise from greater anxiety and, in the case of increased vigilance, the need to seek additional information about the threat. The influence of an out-group threat lasted at least 1 h but individuals of different dominance status and sex responded similarly, potentially because all group members suffer costs if a contest with rivals is lost. Our results provide field-based experimental evidence from wild animals that out-group threats can influence within-group behavior and decision making, and suggest the need for greater consideration of the lasting impacts of social conflict.
Link
Citation
Behavioral Ecology, 30(5), p. 1425-1435
ISSN
1465-7279
1045-2249
Pubmed ID
31579132
Start page
1425
End page
1435
Rights
Attribution 4.0 International

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