The lost dream of ecological determinism: Time to say goodbye? … Or a White Queen's proposal?

Koenig, Andreas; Borries, Carola

doi:10.1002/evan.20225

Cited by 57 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 63 publications

(97 reference statements)

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“…The degree to which this variation is linked to flexibility in rates of agonism is unknown, and may or may not be in support of the predictions of the EMFSR. In either case, the different relationships between agonism and DCI seem to mandate not only the use of phylogenetic methods, but also that the predictions need to be tested within and not across clades as suggested earlier [85].…”

Section: (Ii) Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The importance of the mismatches is currently difficult to judge because large-scale, cross-species comparisons of wild, unprovisioned primates are lacking [85]. Instead, comparative approaches have used primarily captive or provisioned populations [87,88] or included only a few wild, unprovisioned populations or species [96][97][98].…”

Section: (B) the Roads Less Travelledmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As noted previously, the assumption of independence of species' responses to local ecological conditions, which is implicit in the model, is a serious problem that should be incorporated in comparative studies [85]. Nevertheless, given the paucity of data for certain aspects of the model [85], it is clear that a general test is currently unfeasible. It therefore seems that investigating individual aspects of the model is indeed the most viable route [18].…”

Section: (B) the Roads Less Travelledmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Variation in grouping patterns, mating systems and social structure: what socio-ecological models attempt to explain

Koenig

Scarry

Wheeler

et al. 2013

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

Self Cite

119

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Socio-ecological models aim to predict the variation in social systems based on a limited number of ecological parameters. Since the 1960s, the original model has taken two paths: one relating to grouping patterns and mating systems and one relating to grouping patterns and female social structure. Here, we review the basic ideas specifically with regard to non-human primates, present new results and point to open questions. While most primates live in permanent groups and exhibit female defence polygyny, recent studies indicate more flexibility with cooperative male resource defence occurring repeatedly in all radiations. In contrast to other animals, the potential link between ecology and these mating systems remains, however, largely unexplored. The model of the ecology of female social structure has often been deemed successful, but has recently been criticized. We show that the predicted association of agonistic rates and despotism (directional consistency of relationships) was not supported in a comparative test. The overall variation in despotism is probably due to phylogenetic grade shifts. At the same time, it varies within clades more or less in the direction predicted by the model. This suggests that the model's utility may lie in predicting social variation within but not across clades.

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Section: (Ii) Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: (B) the Roads Less Travelledmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: (B) the Roads Less Travelledmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Variation in grouping patterns, mating systems and social structure: what socio-ecological models attempt to explain

Koenig

Scarry

Wheeler

et al. 2013

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

Self Cite

119

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Sexual selection was introduced in the most recent synthesis, via the occurrence of infanticide by males, in an attempt to explain unresolved cases of group formation by the females' need for protection [22]; but still the model did not include any concerns about the interdependency of phenotypic traits at the individual or social level. As such, it is understandable that the socio-ecological model fails to provide a realistic picture of primate societies (but see [27]). Models are heuristic tools designed to formalize hypotheses and guide testing; we should avoid turning the socio-ecological model into a unitary theory of primate social organization that would remain incomplete by nature.…”

Section: (A) Ecological Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying constraints in the evolution of primate societies

Thierry

2013

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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The evolutionary study of social systems in non-human primates has long been focused on ecological determinants. The predictive value of socio-ecological models remains quite low, however, in particular because such equilibrium models cannot integrate the course of history. The use of phylogenetic methods indicates that many patterns of primate societies have been conserved throughout evolutionary history. For example, the study of social relations in macaques revealed that their social systems are made of sets of correlated behavioural traits. Some macaque species are portrayed by marked social intolerance, a steep dominance gradient and strong nepotism, whereas others display a higher level of social tolerance, relaxed dominance and a weaker influence of kinship. Linkages between behavioural traits occur at different levels of organization, and act as constraints that limit evolutionary responses to external pressures. Whereas these constraints can exert strong stabilizing selection that opposes the potential changes required by the ecological environment, selective mechanisms may have the potential to switch the whole social system from one state to another by acting primarily on some key behavioural traits that could work as pacemakers.

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“…However, as more field studies were conducted, variations in social systems came to light, both within species and within populations, and it became evident that primates do not always fit easily into distinct categories. This triggered successive modifications and critiques of the classic model, either through refining measurements of ecological variables or by considering how phylogeny constrains phenotypic variation [Koenig and Borries, 2009;Clutton-Brock and Janson, 2012].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antelope Predation by Nigerian Forest Baboons: Ecological and Behavioural Correlates

Sommer¹,

Lowe²,

Jesus³

et al. 2016

IJFP

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Baboons are well studied in savannah but less so in more closed habitats. We investigated predation on mammals by olive baboons (Papio anubis) at a geographical and climatic outlier, Gashaka Gumti National Park (Nigeria), the wettest and most forested site so far studied. Despite abundant wildlife, meat eating was rare and selective. Over 16 years, baboons killed 7 bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) and 3 red-flanked duiker (Cephalophus rufilatus), mostly still-lying ‘parked' infants. Taking observation time into account, this is 1 predation per group every 3.3 months - far lower than at other sites. Some features of meat eating resemble those elsewhere; predation is opportunistic, adult males monopolize most prey, a targeted killing bite is lacking and begging or active sharing is absent. Carcass owners employ evasive tactics, as meat is often competed over, but satiated owners may tolerate others taking meat. Other features are unusual; this is only the second study site with predation records for bushbuck and the only one for red-flanked duiker. The atypical prey and rarity of eating mammals probably reflects the difficulty of acquiring prey animals when vegetation cover is dense. Our data support the general prediction of the socioecological model that environments shape behavioural patterns, while acknowledging their intraspecific or intrageneric plasticity.

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The lost dream of ecological determinism: Time to say goodbye? … Or a White Queen's proposal?

Abstract: Abstract“‘What is the matter?’ she [Alice] said, as soon as there was a chance of making herself heard. ‘Have you pricked your finger?’ ‘I haven't pricked it yet,’ the [White] Queen said, ‘but I soon shall – oh, oh, oh!’” (emphasis as in1:82)

Cited by 57 publications

References 63 publications

Variation in grouping patterns, mating systems and social structure: what socio-ecological models attempt to explain

Variation in grouping patterns, mating systems and social structure: what socio-ecological models attempt to explain

Identifying constraints in the evolution of primate societies

Antelope Predation by Nigerian Forest Baboons: Ecological and Behavioural Correlates

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