The social network structure of a wild meerkat population: 2. Intragroup interactions |
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Authors: | Joah R Madden Julian A Drewe Gareth P Pearce Tim H Clutton-Brock |
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Institution: | (1) Large Animal Research Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK;(2) Wildlife Health and Conservation Medicine Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK;(3) Conservation Medicine Programme, School of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, 6150, WA, Australia;(4) Present address: Animal Behaviour Group, School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QG, UK;(5) Present address: Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK |
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Abstract: | Knowledge of the structure of networks of social interactions is important for understanding the evolution of cooperation,
transmission of disease, and patterns of social learning, yet little is known of how environmental, ecological, or behavioural
factors relate to such structures within groups. We observed grooming, dominance, and foraging competition interactions in
eight groups of wild meerkats (Suricata suricatta) and constructed interaction networks for each behaviour. We investigated relationships between networks for different social
interactions and explored how group attributes (size and sex ratio), individual attributes (tenure of dominants), and ecological
factors (ectoparasite load) are related to variation in network structure. Network structures varied within a group according
to interaction type. Further, network structure varied predictably with group attributes, individual attributes, and ecological
factors. Networks became less dense as group size increased suggesting that individuals were limited in their number of partners.
Groups with more established dominant females were more egalitarian in their grooming and foraging competition interactions,
but more despotic in their dominance interactions. The distribution of individuals receiving grooming became more skewed at
higher parasite loads, but more equitable at low parasite loads. We conclude that the pattern of interactions between members
of meerkat groups is not consistent between groups but instead depends on general attributes of the group, the influence of
specific individuals within the group, and ecological factors acting on group members. We suggest that the variation observed
in interaction patterns between members of meerkat groups may have fitness consequences both for individual group members
and the group itself. |
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