Social networks and the development of social skills in cowbirds

Abstract

The complex interrelationships among individuals within social environments can exert selection pressures on social skills: those behaviours and cognitive processes that allow animals to manipulate and out-reproduce others. Social complexity can also have a developmental effect on social skills by providing individuals with opportunities to hone their skills by dealing with the challenges posed in within-group interactions. We examined how social skills develop in captive, adult male brownheaded cowbirds (Molothrus ater) that were exposed to differing levels of 'social complexity' across a 2-year experiment. After each year, subjects housed in groups with dynamic social structure (where many individuals entered and exited the groups during the year) outcompeted birds who had been housed in static groups. Exposure to dynamic structure subsequently led to substantial changes to the social networks of the home conditions during the breeding season. Static groups were characterized by a predictable relationship between singing and reproductive success that was stable across years. In dynamic conditions, however, males showed significant variability in their dominance status, their courting and even in their mating success. Reproductive success of males varied dramatically across years and was responsive to social learning in adulthood, and socially dynamic environments 'trained' individuals to be better competitors, even at an age when the development of many traits important for breeding (like song quality) had ended.

Agonistic reciprocity is associated with reduced male reproductive success within haremic social networks

“…For example, shoaling guppies preferentially associate by size [8], while house finch attractiveness influences association patterns [9]. Sex, age, status and personality are also influential [4,5,[10][11][12][13], and these non-random interactions can affect future reproductive state, success and fitness [4,5,[13][14][15].…”

Robust Fall Social Displays Predict Spring Reproductive Behavior in Brown‐Headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater ater)

“…Nonetheless, many studies have shown that social experience before the breeding season influences and individual's reproductive behavior. For instance, White et al (2012) and Gersick et al (2012) found that adult cowbirds who interacted with a more diverse range of individuals before the breeding season are more reproductively successful than cowbirds that experienced more stable conditions prior to breeding season. Female mate preferences are also shaped by social experience before the breeding season.…”

“…For instance, White et al. () and Gersick et al. () found that adult cowbirds who interacted with a more diverse range of individuals before the breeding season are more reproductively successful than cowbirds that experienced more stable conditions prior to breeding season.…”

Automated cognitive testing of monkeys in social groups yields results comparable to individual laboratory-based testing

“…However, laboratory environments often limit exposure to natural cognitive demands, and may deprive subjects of experiences necessary for normal cognitive development (Rommeck et al 2011). Animals raised in more complex and natural physical and social conditions may therefore exhibit a more developed range of cognitive abilities and behaviors (Gersick et al 2012; White et al 2010; White et al 2012.…”