Social evolution in mammals

Clutton‐Brock, T. H.

doi:10.1126/science.abc9699

Cited by 78 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 212 publications

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“…Under natural conditions, group sizes are likely to depend on a variety factors, such as predator defence and competition over food (Alexander, 1974; Koenig and Dickinson, 2016; Rubenstein and Abbot, 2017; Taborsky et al, 2021). Evidence from mammals, fish, birds and arthropods shows that the size of cooperative groups can vary with ecological conditions (Bertram, 1980; Bourke, 1999; Clutton-Brock, 2021; Koenig, 1981; Yip et al, 2008; Zöttl et al, 2013). However, our results demonstrate that differences in cooperative breeding groups can arise independently of the main factors currently used to explain variation in cooperative breeding groups: ecological conditions, breeder quality and relatedness (see also Casari and Tagliapietra, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Group size is a key feature influencing the social organization of cooperative breeding animals (Alexander, 1974; Bourke, 1999; Clutton-Brock, 2021; Kappeler, 2019; Koenig and Dickinson, 2016; Rubenstein and Abbot, 2017; Taborsky et al, 2021). In large groups there are greater opportunities for cooperation that can increase individual reproductive success, for example, by spreading the burden of offspring care among group members (Alexander, 1974; Koenig and Dickinson, 2016; Rubenstein and Abbot, 2017; Taborsky et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experimental evidence that animal societies vary in size due to sex differences in cooperation

Melgar

Schou

Bonato

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Cooperative breeding societies allow the costs of reproduction to be shared. However, as groups become larger, such benefits often decrease and competition increases. This is predicted to select for an optimal group size, yet variation in groups is a ubiquitous feature of cooperative breeding animals. Here we experimentally established groups (ngroups=96) of cooperative breeding ostriches, Struthio camelus, with different numbers of males and females and manipulated the potential for cooperation over incubation. There was a clear optimal group size for males. Their reproductive success was maximized in groups with four or more females and no other males, irrespective of cooperation over incubation. Conversely, female reproductive success was strongly dependent on the benefits of cooperating over incubation, being maximized in groups with either many males or many females. In intermediate sized groups, both male and female reproductive success was reduced by sexual conflict over the timing of mating and incubation. Our experiments show that sex differences in the opposing forces of cooperation and competition can explain why variation in cooperative groups is widespread.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental evidence that animal societies vary in size due to sex differences in cooperation

Melgar

Schou

Bonato

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…Sexual coercion is increasingly recognized as a driving force influencing the evolution of mating and social systems in animals [19, 2, 20], including humans [21, 22]. In mammals, male coercive tactics appear most common in polygynous and polygynandrous species, where males compete intensively over mating opportunities and a substantial fraction of males fails to secure copulations, and where sexual size dimorphism is pronounced, allowing males to threaten or harass females at low costs [23, 24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual coercion in a natural mandrill population

Smit

Baniel

Roura-Torres

et al. 2022

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Increasing evidence indicates that sexual coercion is widespread. While some coercive strategies are conspicuous, such as forced copulation or sexual harassment, less is known about the ecology and evolution of intimidation, where repeated male aggression promotes future rather than immediate mating success with targeted females. Although known in humans, intimidation was recently reported in chimpanzees and chacma baboons, where males are regularly violent against females. Here, we investigate the nature of male coercive strategies in wild mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx), a primate living in large polygynandrous groups where severe male aggression towards females is rare and females can exert mate choice. Yet, we found support for all three predictions of the sexual coercion hypothesis, namely that male aggression (1) specifically targets sexually receptive females, (2) inflicts costs to these females, and (3) increases male mating success in the long-term. These results hold true when considering only non-physical threats, or only severe aggression. Finally, we show that high-ranking females are most targeted by males, probably because of their higher reproductive performances. These results indicate that sexual intimidation is widespread in sexually dimorphic and group-living mammals, can co-occur with female mate choice, and is most costly to the most attractive females.

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“…Instead, many studies making use of SNA in free ranging populations rely on relatively short-term datasets and, therefore, are only able to describe snapshots of the social systems. Since long term monitoring of wild species has provided important contributions to the study of ecology and evolution as well as to conservation (Festa-Bianchet et al 2017, Clutton-Brock 2021), long term analysis of social network dynamics could bring rich rewards in terms of a better understanding of population-level processes (Pinter-Wollman et al 2014). Ungulate species are widespread in all continents except Antarctica and show high diversity both in terms of size, habitat as well as behaviour (Wilson and Mittermeier 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long term analysis of social structure: evidence of age-based consistent associations in male Alpine ibex

Brambilla

Hardenberg

Sueur

et al. 2021

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Despite its recognized importance for understanding the evolution of animal sociality as well as for conservation, long term analysis of social networks of animal populations is still relatively uncommon. We investigated social network dynamics in males of a gregarious mountain ungulate (Alpine ibex, Capra ibex) over ten years focusing on groups, sub-groups and individuals, exploring the dynamics of sociality over different scales. Despite the social structure changing between seasons, the Alpine ibex population was highly cohesive: fission-fusion dynamics lead almost every male in the population to associate with each other male at least once. Nevertheless, we found that male Alpine ibex showed preferential associations that were maintained across seasons and years. Age seemed to be the most important factor driving preferential associations while other characteristics, such as social status, appeared less crucial. We also found that centrality measures were influenced by age and were also related to individual physical condition. The multi-scale and long-term frame of our study helped us show that ecological constrains, such as resource availability, may play a role in shaping associations in a gregarious species, but they cannot solely explain sociality and preferential association that are likely also to be driven by life-history linked physiological and social needs. Our results highlight the importance of long-term studies based on individually recognizable subjects to help us build on our understanding of the evolution of animal sociality.

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Social evolution in mammals

Abstract: Long-term, individual-based field studies, the application of genetic techniques and phylogenetic reconstructions have led to substantial advances in our understanding of the diversity and evolution of mammalian breeding systems and their consequences. They show how contrasts

Cited by 78 publications

References 212 publications

Experimental evidence that animal societies vary in size due to sex differences in cooperation

Experimental evidence that animal societies vary in size due to sex differences in cooperation

Sexual coercion in a natural mandrill population

Long term analysis of social structure: evidence of age-based consistent associations in male Alpine ibex

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