Animal social networks: an introduction |
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Authors: | Jens Krause David Lusseau Richard James |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Integrative and Comparative Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK;(2) Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK;(3) Department of Physics, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK |
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Abstract: | Network analysis has a long history in the mathematical and social sciences and the aim of this introduction is to provide
a brief overview of the potential that it holds for the study of animal behaviour. One of the most attractive features of
the network paradigm is that it provides a single conceptual framework with which we can study the social organisation of
animals at all levels (individual, dyad, group, population) and for all types of interaction (aggressive, cooperative, sexual
etc.). Graphical tools allow a visual inspection of networks which often helps inspire ideas for testable hypotheses. Network
analysis itself provides a multitude of novel statistical tools that can be used to characterise social patterns in animal
populations. Among the important insights that networks have facilitated is that indirect social connections matter. Interactions
between individuals generate a social environment at the population level which in turn selects for behavioural strategies
at the individual level. A social network is often a perfect means by which to represent heterogeneous relationships in a
population. Probing the biological drivers for these heterogeneities, often as a function of time, forms the basis of many
of the current uses of network analysis in the behavioural sciences. This special issue on social networks brings together
a diverse group of practitioners whose study systems range from social insects over reptiles to birds, cetaceans, ungulates
and primates in order to illustrate the wide-ranging applications of network analysis.
This contribution is part of the special issue “Social Networks: new perspectives” (Guest Editors: J. Krause, D. Lusseau and
R. James). |
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Keywords: | Social networks Animal interactions Social organisation |
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