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Biology
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Advances in Animal Social Behavior and Social Evolution
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Advances in Animal Social Behavior and Social Evolution

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Zoology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 24355

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yin Qi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
Interests: animal behavior; behavioral function; behavioral evolution; behavioral plasticity; social organization; social interaction; social complexity; color signal; motion visual signal; lizard
Dr. Dongpo Xia

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
Interests: social behavior; behavioral function; behavioral adaptation and evolution; behavioral ecology; nonhuman primates
Dr. Muyang Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Interests: behavioural ecology; conservation biology; road ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Same as human beings, many animals depend heavily on social interaction. They have specific ways of communication, such as signals and gestures, and likely aggregate and evolve proper social systems to ensure their fitness. Eusocial species even have elaborate division of labor in a society. Research on animal social behavior and social evolution has increasingly been emphasized with the global economic development and climate change because many animals face serious challenges due to social system collapse. Their normal movement and reproduction are likely interrupted due to environment change, and their normal social interactions likely break off due to the resulting confusion.

To meet the requirement of current animal social behavior research and facilitate animal conservation, we are launching this Special Issue, in which we will focus on comparisons between solitary species and species (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, etc.) depending on grouping and aggregation. Research on social organization, social hierarchy, mating system, cues, signals, signal perceptions, parental care, dispersal, plasticity in social cognition and communication systems, macro- and micro-evolutionary change in  animal social systems, and social cognition are all within our scope.

We encourage integrative research from different levels and combined multiple methods, such as field observation, manipulation experiments, genome sequences, electrophysiology, as well as macro- and micro-comparative research. We encourage research interpreting both the structure and process as well as mechanisms behind social behavior and social evolution from different levels.

Dr. Yin Qi
Dr. Dongpo Xia
Dr. Muyang Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • social organization
  • social structure
  • social cognition
  • social interaction
  • social hierarchy
  • grouping behavior
  • parental care
  • mating system
  • dispersal

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 2116 KiB  
Article
Lunar Cycle, Climate, and Onset of Parturition in Domestic Dromedary Camels: Implications of Species-Specific Metabolic Economy and Social Ecology
by Carlos Iglesias Pastrana, Francisco Javier Navas González, Juan Vicente Delgado Bermejo and Elena Ciani
Biology 2023, 12(4), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12040607 - 17 Apr 2023
Viewed by 2059
Abstract
Given energy costs for gestating and caring for male offspring are higher than those of female newborns, external environmental conditions might be regarded as likely to affect the timing of delivery processes differentially depending on the sex of the newborn calf to be [...] Read more.
Given energy costs for gestating and caring for male offspring are higher than those of female newborns, external environmental conditions might be regarded as likely to affect the timing of delivery processes differentially depending on the sex of the newborn calf to be delivered. The aim of the present paper is to evaluate the association between environmental stressors such as the moon phase and weather-related factors and the onset of labor in female dromedaries. A binary logistic regression model was developed to find the most parsimonious set of variables that are most effective in predicting the probability for a gravid female dromedary to give birth to a male or a female calf, assuming that higher gestational costs and longer labor times are ascribed to the production of a male offspring. Although the differences in the quantitative distribution of spontaneous onset of labor across lunar phases and the mean climate per onset event along the whole study period were deemed nonsignificant (p > 0.05), a non-negligible prediction effect of a new moon, mean wind speed and maximum wind gust was present. At slightly brighter nights and lower mean wind speeds, a calf is more likely to be male. This microevolutionary response to the external environment may have been driven by physiological and behavioral adaptation of metabolic economy and social ecology to give birth to cooperative groups with the best possible reduction of thermoregulatory demands. Model performance indexes then highlighted the heterothermic character of camels to greatly minimize the impact of the external environment. The overall results will also enrich the general knowledge of the interplay between homeostasis and arid and semi-arid environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Social Behavior and Social Evolution)
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13 pages, 1606 KiB  
Article
Eating More and Fighting Less: Social Foraging Is a Potential Advantage for Successful Expansion of Bird Source Populations
by Xiang Li, Xiaochen Wang, Jinyao Lu, Li Li, Dongming Li, Xiaoying Xing and Fumin Lei
Biology 2022, 11(10), 1496; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11101496 - 12 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1887
Abstract
Animals can expand distributions in response to climatic and environmental changes, but the potential expansive ability of a source population is rarely evaluated using designed experiments. Group foraging can increase survival in new environments, but it also increases intraspecific competition. The trade-off between [...] Read more.
Animals can expand distributions in response to climatic and environmental changes, but the potential expansive ability of a source population is rarely evaluated using designed experiments. Group foraging can increase survival in new environments, but it also increases intraspecific competition. The trade-off between benefit and conflict needs to be determined. The expanding Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis was used as a model to test mechanisms promoting successful expansion. Social foraging and its advantages were evaluated using lab-designed feeding trials. Consuming novel foods was compared between bulbuls and a sympatric, nonexpansive relative species, the finchbill Spizixos semitorques, from native areas at both solitary and social levels. Bulbuls increased their eating times when transferred from solitary to group, whereas social context did not affect finchbills. Bulbuls were significantly more likely to eat with their companions than finchbills when in a group. Thus, exploring food resources in a bulbul source population was facilitated by social context, indicating that social foraging is an important means by which birds successfully expand and respond to environmental changes. This research increases understanding of successful expansion mechanisms and will consequently help predict invasive potentials of alien species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Social Behavior and Social Evolution)
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16 pages, 3044 KiB  
Article
Colour Variation in the Crocodile Lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) and Its Relationship to Individual Quality
by Xia Qiu, Martin J. Whiting, Weiguo Du, Zhengjun Wu, Shuyi Luo, Bisong Yue, Jinzhong Fu and Yin Qi
Biology 2022, 11(9), 1314; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11091314 - 4 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 11065
Abstract
Colour plays a key role in animal social communication including as an indicator of individual quality. Using spectrophotometry, we examined colour variation in the throat and venter of the crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus), an endangered species native to southern China and [...] Read more.
Colour plays a key role in animal social communication including as an indicator of individual quality. Using spectrophotometry, we examined colour variation in the throat and venter of the crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus), an endangered species native to southern China and northern Vietnam. We detected two broad colour variants, individuals with and without red, for each body region and each sex. A cluster analysis of spectral colour measurements (hue, chroma, luminance) revealed discrete throat and ventral morphs when measured in a single snapshot in time. However, photographic evidence revealed that the amount of red relative to body size increased as they got older. Individuals with red were equally likely to be male or female and throat colour was unrelated to ventral colour. Therefore, it is premature to claim that crocodile lizards have discrete colour morphs. We used visual modelling to show that the throat and venter were easily discriminable to a lizard visual system, suggesting they function in social communication. We also asked whether colour variation signalled individual quality. Females with red throats had greater bite force while males with red throats were older. In addition, females with red venters had larger heads. We also detected differences in morphology linked to colour. Females with red throats had slender bodies and longer tails, while individuals lacking red on their throats were stouter and had shorter tails. Finally, throat and ventral colour were unrelated to reproductive output (litter size and mass) in females. Males with greater ventral luminance contrast sired offspring from litters with greater litter mass (including stillborns), while males with greater ventral chromatic contrast sired offspring whose collective live mass (excluding stillborns) was greater. Males with greater luminance contrast also sired more live offspring (excluding stillborns). Collectively, these results suggest that male ventral colour signals individual quality in males. Conservation initiatives should take colour variation into account when planning future captive breeding and release programs for this endangered species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Social Behavior and Social Evolution)
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11 pages, 1248 KiB  
Article
Social Rank or Social Bonds: Which one Facilitates Coalition Formation in Male Tibetan Macaques?
by Yi-Mei Tai, Meng-Meng Chen, Yu-Heng Zhang, An-Xiang Ma, Huan Wang and Xi Wang
Biology 2022, 11(9), 1269; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11091269 - 26 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2753
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that fierce competition could promote male coalitions. There are two ways for males to choose their allies in the conflict. The first is that supporters choose high-ranking individuals, and the second is that supporters choose affiliated individuals. It is [...] Read more.
Previous studies have shown that fierce competition could promote male coalitions. There are two ways for males to choose their allies in the conflict. The first is that supporters choose high-ranking individuals, and the second is that supporters choose affiliated individuals. It is necessary to clarify the factors for forming a coalition and the process of cooperation in primates with complex relationships and strict hierarchies. Thus, we conducted a study on a group of free-ranging Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) in Anhui, China, and recorded the whole process of male macaques forming coalitions once agonistic support occurred. The results showed that a higher intensity of the social bond between males was associated with more frequent coalitions. Dominance rank also significantly influenced male coalitions, showing that high-ranking individuals allied more frequently. Moreover, males with longer residence times formed more stable coalitions. We suggest that male Tibetan macaques form a stable social relationship, where social bond and social rank both promote the formation of a coalition. This study provided some insights into the mechanism by which social cooperation develops in multi-male and multi-female groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Social Behavior and Social Evolution)
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14 pages, 1820 KiB  
Article
Seasonal Change in Activity Rhythms and Time Budgets of Tibetan Macaques
by Jie Zhou, Wen-Bo Li, Xi Wang and Jin-Hua Li
Biology 2022, 11(9), 1260; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11091260 - 24 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2343
Abstract
Activity rhythms and time budgets are important to understand behavioral variability and adaptation in primates because animals normally use a behavioral adjustment as a preferential choice in response to environmental changes. Therefore, we observed a group of un-provisioned Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana [...] Read more.
Activity rhythms and time budgets are important to understand behavioral variability and adaptation in primates because animals normally use a behavioral adjustment as a preferential choice in response to environmental changes. Therefore, we observed a group of un-provisioned Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) in Tianhu Mountain County Nature Reserve, Mount Huangshan, Southern Anhui, China. We used the instantaneous scan sampling method to collect behavioral data on their activity rhythms and time budget. The results showed that Tibetan macaques have two foraging peaks (9:00–10:00 and 14:00–15:00) and a resting peak at 12:00–13:00. They spent 31.96% resting, 28.59% foraging, 26.96% moving, 6.90% grooming, and 5.59% other. The total time of foraging and moving per month significantly and positively correlated with fruits and buds and negatively correlated with leaves. Different sexes and age groups demonstrated different activity time budgets, with adult males, adult females, and young macaques spending most of their time resting, grooming, and playing, respectively. We elucidated the effects of different environmental conditions on Tibetan macaques and their behavioral adaptation strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Social Behavior and Social Evolution)
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11 pages, 1438 KiB  
Article
Goitered Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa Responded to Human Disturbance by Increasing Vigilance Rather than Changing the Group Size
by Wenxuan Xu, Muyang Wang, David Blank, António Alves da Silva, Weikang Yang, Kathreen E. Ruckstuhl and Joana Alves
Biology 2022, 11(8), 1236; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11081236 - 19 Aug 2022
Viewed by 2300
Abstract
Nonlethal human disturbances have been confirmed to have a negative effect on wildlife in a variety of ways, including on behaviors. In many studies, the impact of human disturbances on gregarious species of wildlife is assessed through changes in their social organization and [...] Read more.
Nonlethal human disturbances have been confirmed to have a negative effect on wildlife in a variety of ways, including on behaviors. In many studies, the impact of human disturbances on gregarious species of wildlife is assessed through changes in their social organization and vigilance. In our study in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve, China, we wanted to estimate the impacts of differing levels of human disturbances on two different group types (mixed-sex and all-male) of goitered gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa, living in three functional zones (experimental, buffer, and core zones), which represent high, medium, and low human disturbance levels, respectively. In addition, we studied the time spent vigilant as a function of group size with different levels of human disturbances in the three zones. In general, mixed-sex gazelle groups were of similar sizes in the three different zones, while all-male groups slightly differed in their sizes between the experimental and buffer zones. This may indicate that human disturbances have varying effects on the different group types, with smaller-sized, single-sex groups being more significantly affected by human disturbances than larger-sized, mixed-sex groups. Goitered gazelle showed higher vigilance levels in the experimental zone than in the two other zones. A trend of decreasing vigilance varying linearly with group size was also found in the three zones, and the rate of decrease was higher in the experimental zone. Increased habitat fragmentation and human activities brought goitered gazelle and humans closer together in the core zone. Therefore, stopping mining activities and returning the reserve to a continuous habitat with fewer environmental disturbances is the best way to establish and protect a stable population of this endangered species of gazelle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Social Behavior and Social Evolution)
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