Reconciliation in Wolves (Canis lupus): New Evidence for a Comparative Perspective

Abstract

Social animals gain benefits from cooperative behaviours. However, social systems also imply competition and conflict of interest. To cope with dispersal forces, group‐living animals use several peace‐keeping tactics, which have been deeply investigated in primates. Other taxa, however, have been often neglected in this field research. Wolves (Canis lupus) with their high sociality and cooperative behaviour may be a good model species to investigate the reconciliation process. In this study, we provide the first evidence for the occurrence of reconciliation in a group of zoo‐kept wolves. The conciliatory contacts were uniformly distributed across the different sex‐class combinations. We found a linear dominance hierarchy in the colony under study, although the hierarchical relationships did not seem to affect the reconciliation dynamics. Moreover, both aggressors and victims initiated first post‐conflict affinitive contact with comparable rates and both high‐ and low‐intensity conflicts were reconciled with similar percentages. Finally, we found that coalitionary support may be a good predictor for high level of conciliatory contacts in this species.

Conflict management in free-ranging wolves, Canis lupus

“…As predicted, we found a high conciliatory tendency in free-ranging wolves (CCT ¼ 44.1%). Similar high values have been reported in captive wolves (CCT ¼ 53.3%; Cordoni & Palagi, 2008) and in several macaque species showing a relaxed dominance style (CCT > 40%; Thierry, 2000). In contrast, in species with despotic dominance relationships, conciliatory tendencies are much lower (rhesus macaques, Macaca mulatta: 9.0%, de Waal & Ren, 1988; chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes: 15.5%, Kutsukake & Castles, 2004; brown lemur, Eulemur fulvus: 26.6%, Norscia & Palagi, 2011).…”

“…Subordinates also spontaneously use submissive displays towards dominants, thereby acknowledging dominance relationships. While postconflict affiliative interactions have recently been reported in captive wolves (Cordoni & Palagi, 2008;Palagi & Cordoni, 2009) and domestic dogs (Cools, Van Hout, & Nelissen, 2008), they have not yet been investigated in free-ranging wolves (Packard, 2012).…”

“…To discriminate between two consecutive aggressive interactions among the same partners within a given PC period, we (Cools et al, 2008) and captive wolves (Cordoni & Palagi, 2008). …”

“…* Although we considered 'inspect' to be a sexual interaction, not a friendly interaction, we included it in our data set for comparison with previous studies on wolves (Cordoni & Palagi, 2008;Palagi & Cordoni, 2009) and domestic dogs (Cools et al, 2008). used a bout criterion interval method (Martin & Bateson, 1993).…”

Consolation as possible expression of sympathetic concern among chimpanzees

“…The same behavior has received less attention in animal research, perhaps owing to its restricted distribution. Despite ample attention to postconflict behavior in more than 30 primate species, both in captivity and in the field (4-6), as well as several nonprimates (7)(8)(9), only a handful of species regularly shows reassurance of distressed conspecifics. The term consolation has been proposed for interactions in which an uninvolved bystander initiates friendly contact with a recent victim of aggression (10) (Fig.…”