Strongly bonded individuals prefer to forage together in cooperatively breeding dwarf mongoose groups

Title
Strongly bonded individuals prefer to forage together in cooperatively breeding dwarf mongoose groups
Publication Date
2021-04-30
Author(s)
Kern, Julie
( 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
Springer
Place of publication
Germany
DOI
10.1007/s00265-021-03025-0
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/30658
Abstract
In many social species, group members form strong social bonds. Such strong bonds are well-known to generate long-term fitness benefits, but they are also expected to influence short-term behavioural decisions. Here, we use field observations and an experimental manipulation to investigate whether variation in social-bond strength (as determined from grooming interactions) influences nearest-neighbour choices while foraging in wild dwarf mongooses (Helogale parvula). Preferred grooming partnerships (PGPs), representing particularly strong bonds, were found predominately between male–female dyads but among a range of dominance-status dyads. When searching for food, dwarf mongooses with PGPs were more likely than expected by chance to forage close to a preferred grooming partner. Foraging near a strongly bonded groupmate might reduce the predation risk or increase foraging opportunities and the transfer of social information. In addition, there could be stress-reducing benefits, although our field experiment provided no evidence that nearest-neighbour preferences for strongly bonded groupmates were additionally favoured, or indeed disrupted, in the aftermath of a short-term stressful event. Investigating the potential influence of strong social bonds on short-term behavioural decisions with potential fitness consequences is important for our understanding of social interactions and cooperation.
Link
Citation
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, v.75, p. 1-12
ISSN
1432-0762
0340-5443
Start page
1
End page
12

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