Intolerant baboons avoid observer proximity, creating biased inter-individual association patterns

Allan, Andrew T. L.; White, Amy F; Hill, Russell A.

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-12312-3

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 52 publications

(61 reference statements)

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“…In previous studies, the spatial positions of individuals were obtained by recording the order in which animals passed through anchor points, such as roads, or by measuring individual distances from the anchor using foot observers. Recently, however, human observers have been found to affect primates with varying degrees of habituation as well as predators [27]. Specifically, shy individuals tend to avoid human observers, creating a bias in the spatial positioning data.…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating individuals’ exposure to predation risk in group-living baboons,Papio anubis

Suire,

Kunita,

Harel

et al. 2023

Preprint

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In environments with multiple predators, the vulnerabilities attached to the spatial positions of group-living prey are not uniform and depend on the hunting styles of the predators. Coursing predators, mainly canids and hyenas, follow their prey over long distances and attack open areas, making individuals at the edge of the group more dangerous than those at the center (marginal predation). In contrast, ambush predators, mainly cats, approach their prey undetected and appear randomly anywhere in the group; therefore, isolated individuals are at a greater risk of predation. However, identifying individuals at high risk of predation requires the simultaneous recording of predator locations and direct observation of predation events, which are both difficult. Therefore, several theoretical methods have been proposed to assess predation risk (predation risk proxies). In a group of wild anubis baboons exposed to predation by leopards, lions, and hyenas, we calculated predation risk proxies using movement data collected from global positioning system (GPS) collars and found that adult males were on the edge of the group with a higher risk of predation (Hypothesis 1). In addition, adult males were more isolated within this group (Hypothesis 2). None of the predation risks differed among the other age-sex classes. The most dominant male was expected to be in the safety center of the group (Hypothesis 3) but was isolated on the periphery, like the other males. Therefore, we discussed why adult males were more peripheral and isolated.

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Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating individuals’ exposure to predation risk in group-living baboons,Papio anubis

Suire,

Kunita,

Harel

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In animal behavior research, the observer often brings unintended effects to the observation and data analysis of behavior patterns (Allan et al., 2022). In addition, the animal behavior literature is not immune to the “replication crisis” affecting multiple areas of science (Burghardt, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Minimizing observer bias in animal behavior studies revisited: Improvement, but a long way to go

Freeberg,

Benson,

Burghardt

2024

Ethology

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For decades, texts on methods in animal behavior research have stressed the need for observers of behavior to work to minimize potential unconscious biases in their coding of data. Two major ways of minimizing these biases are to carry out data coding blind to the key comparisons being made in the study and to have high inter‐observer reliability. Over 10 years ago, Burghardt et al. (2012, Ethology, 118, 511) reviewed five major journals in the field of animal behavior and coded randomly selected articles from five decadal volumes (1970 to 2010). That earlier article found poor rates of reporting these two common methods for minimizing potential biases. Here, we carried out similar coding for the 2020 volumes from those same five journals. We found that rates of reporting have increased in all five journals – some substantially. However, rates of reporting still lag behind the journal Infancy, which publishes research on human infant development and relies on many of the same behavioral observation and coding methods used by animal behavior researchers. Given increased calls for transparency and reproducibility in many different fields of scientific study, we argue that we – researchers, reviewers, and editors – can and need to do better at making sure we are actively conducting research in ways to minimize potential observer biases.

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“…This line of research has expanded to additionally encompass more applied perspectives. For example, how social structures vary in response to anthropogenic disturbances, thus informing conservation practices [19][20][21] and how social structures take shape in human care, ultimately informing species management and individual care and welfare [22,23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Group structure and individual relationships of sanctuary-living Grauer’s gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri)

Leeds,

Kakule,

Stalter

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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The study of individual social relationships and group structure provides insights into a species’ natural history and can inform management decisions for animals living in human care. The Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) center provides permanent sanctuary for a group of 14 Grauer’s gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri), a critically endangered and poorly studied subspecies of the genus gorilla, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We monitored the association patterns of the gorillas at GRACE over eight months and here describe their individual relationships and group structure via multiple social network statistics. The group was highly connected but associations between individuals were weak on average. Social network metrics describe that an adult female was the most gregarious and socially central individual within the group. In fact, adult females were the most gregarious and socially central on average. Group level association patterns were significantly correlated over the study period and across observation types, suggesting the group was socially stable during the eight month study period. The data collected in this study were done so by GRACE caregivers as part of their daily husbandry routine and provided important insights into this group’s behavior, ultimately informing on their care, welfare and future release considerations. The methodological approaches implemented here are easily scalable to any primate sanctuary or care facility seeking to use data to inform husbandry and management procedures. Lastly, our study is the first social network analysis to be conducted on Grauer’s gorillas and provides tentative insights into the behavior of this poorly studied subspecies. Though more research is needed to evaluate if the findings here are reflective of this subspecies’ natural history or the idiosyncrasies of the group.

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Intolerant baboons avoid observer proximity, creating biased inter-individual association patterns

Cited by 6 publications

References 52 publications

Estimating individuals’ exposure to predation risk in group-living baboons,Papio anubis

Estimating individuals’ exposure to predation risk in group-living baboons,Papio anubis

Minimizing observer bias in animal behavior studies revisited: Improvement, but a long way to go

Group structure and individual relationships of sanctuary-living Grauer’s gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri)

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