DOCSLIB.ORG

On Some Genetic Consequences of Social Structure, Mating Systems, Dispersal, and Sampling

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
On Some Genetic Consequences of Social Structure, Mating Systems, Dispersal, and Sampling On some genetic consequences of social structure, mating systems, dispersal, and sampling Bárbara R. Parreiraa,b,1 and Lounès Chikhia,c aInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal; bDepartamento de Biologia Vegetal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal; and cCNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, Ecole Nationale de Formation Agronomique, UMR5174 EDB (Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique), F-31062 Toulouse, France Edited by Mark G. Thomas, University College London, London, United Kingdom, and accepted by the Editorial Board May 13, 2015 (received for review August 7, 2014) Many species are spatially and socially organized, with complex 26). A mathematical theory was first formalized by Chesser (23, social organizations and dispersal patterns that are increasingly 24), who showed that the accumulation of genetic variation documented. Social species typically consist of small age-struc- within and among breeding groups can be predicted from mating tured units, where a limited number of individuals monopolize and dispersal strategies. This work demonstrated that breeding reproduction and exhibit complex mating strategies. Here, we groups may appear outbred despite high coancestry among the model social groups as age-structured units and investigate the group members. However, this and other seminal studies (22, genetic consequences of social structure under distinct mating 25–27) have been neglected and sometimes misinterpreted by strategies commonly found in mammals. Our results show that population geneticists and ecologists alike. For example, empirical sociality maximizes genotypic diversity, which contradicts the be- studies documenting outbreeding within social groups (SGs) have lief that social groups are necessarily subject to strong genetic drift interpreted it as a consequence of inbreeding avoidance or as and at high risk of inbreeding depression. Social structure gener- evidence for sex-biased migration. Although this is in agreement ates an excess of genotypic diversity. This is commonly observed in with Chesser’s study on female philopatry (23), it overlooked ecological studies but rarely reported in population genetic studies Chesser’s later results (24) showing that social structure can lead that ignore social structure. This heterozygosity excess, when to outbreeding even without sex-biased migration. detected, is often interpreted as a consequence of inbreeding Ecological data on relatedness and dispersal show that social avoidance mechanisms, but we show that it can occur even in species exhibit kin recognition and sex-biased dispersal. For ex- the absence of such mechanisms. Many seemly contradictory re- ample, active kin recognition has been described in many co- sults from ecology and population genetics can be reconciled by operatively breeding passerine species (28), and in mammalian genetic models that include the complexities of social species. We species, where SGs are generally composed of related females, find that such discrepancies can be explained by the intrinsic prop- males are usually the dispersing sex (1, 29). The amount of ge- erties of social groups and by the sampling strategies of real pop- netic data gathered from social species has also increased sig- ulations. In particular, the number of social groups and the nature nificantly over the last decades. Most genetic studies within of the individuals that compose samples (e.g., nonreproductive social units report a higher proportion of heterozygotes than and reproductive individuals) are key factors in generating out- expected under random mating [i.e., evidence for heterozygote breeding signatures. Sociality is an important component of pop- excess (outbreeding)]. This finding was described, for example, ulation structure that needs to be revisited by ecologists and in yellow-bellied and alpine marmots (30, 31), white-tailed deers population geneticists alike. (32), and in black-tailed prairie dogs (33). In comparison with the behavioral ecology studies that rec- sociality | social structure | mating system | genotypic diversity | ognize social units as the basic study unit, most population ge- inbreeding avoidance netic studies are carried out at the “population” level, where a “population” is frequently a conglomeration of SGs. The latter ociality is one of the most striking features in the Animal SKingdom. A large number of animal species, including hu- Significance mans, are social. Social systems have evolved in several distinct taxa, such as insects, birds, and mammals (1–4). Whereas some Many species live in socially structured populations, forming animals are highly social and live in groups for their entire life, cohesive units with kin structure. Yet, sociality has been others form groups only for a short period. The diversity of social neglected by population geneticists under the assumption that organizations ranges from eusociality in insects or communal social groups can be seen as small demes subjected to signifi- breeding in vertebrates to solitary life in some mammalian spe- cant genetic drift. Such demes are usually considered to be cies (5–9). Even among closely related species, this diversity can susceptible to inbreeding, with inbreeding avoidance becom- be wide (2, 10). For example, among the great apes, gorillas live ing a major force explaining dispersal strategies. We find that in single-male harem systems, whereas chimpanzees live in large social structure is highly effective in maintaining high geno- multimale/multifemale aggregations forming hierarchical com- typic and genetic diversity levels, without invoking sex-biased munities of related males with coalition strategies (11, 12), and dispersal or inbreeding avoidance mechanisms. These findings orangutans exhibit a semisolitary lifestyle where the territory of should change the way we perceive social groups. one male can include the territory of several related females (13). For decades, much of the theoretical work on sociality has fo- – Author contributions: B.R.P. and L.C. designed research; B.R.P. performed research; L.C. cused on its origins (14 18). It is generally thought that group-living contributed new reagents/analytic tools; B.R.P. and L.C. analyzed data; and B.R.P. and L.C. confers fitness benefits to individuals (19–21). This view has had a wrote the paper. profound impact on the interpretation of social behavior. Indeed, it The authors declare no conflict of interest. is still hotly debated whether these benefits are at the origin of This article is a PNAS Direct Submission. M.G.T. is a guest editor invited by the Editorial sociality, or if they are a side-effect of the existence of kin groups Board. with stable bonds that appeared for other reasons (6). 1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: [email protected]. Sociality has been discussed by population geneticists for This article contains supporting information online at www.pnas.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10. several decades, but mostly from a theoretical point of view (22– 1073/pnas.1414463112/-/DCSupplemental. E3318–E3326 | PNAS | Published online June 16, 2015 www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1414463112 Downloaded by guest on September 25, 2021 studies, including those on highly social species, often find no prising 50 SGs until equilibrium, and measured genetic diversity PNAS PLUS signature of deviation from random-mating, [i.e., the proportion and inbreeding using traditional population genetics statistics. of heterozygotes meets Hardy–Weinberg (HW) proportions, in- dicating neither outbreeding nor inbreeding (25)]; this is, for Population Structure, Social Structure, and the Partitioning of Genetic example, the case of orangutans (34) and sifakas (35), among Diversity. We found that the subdivision of populations into SGs others. As a consequence, population geneticists have tended to lead to a higher (11–63%) genetic diversity than predicted under ignore sociality as an important source of genetic structure or the WF framework (Fig. 2, Fig. S1, and Table S1). This finding have considered SGs simply as small random-mating units (36, suggests that classic population genetics models may in many 37). This approach corresponds to the classic Wright–Fisher cases underestimate the genetic diversity found in real species model (WF) framework in which SGs are isolated demes with and hence lead to biased estimates (e.g., lower effective sizes or small effective sizes. This view has wide-ranging consequences. mutation rates) when applied to social species. Moreover, indi- First, because of the small effective sizes it is expected that SGs vidual heterozygosity within SGs (observed heterozygosity) was should be at high risk of inbreeding depression (36, 38). Second, equal to the expected heterozygosity at the population level based on the fact that small demes are subject to high genetic (HT), suggesting that the social structure is maintaining indivi- drift, the Bush–Wilson theory (39, 40) postulates that the fixation dual diversity at the maximum possible level rather than reducing of chromosomal rearrangements should be frequent and pro- it (Fig. S2). Therefore, social structure appears to be highly ef- mote an acceleration of the evolution rate in social species. This ficient in maintaining diversity within individuals and within SGs. theory has been criticized by behavioral ecologists who observed Interestingly, we found that genetic diversity was always high, higher, rather than lower, levels of heterozygosity in
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Cognitive Adaptations of Social Bonding in Birds Nathan J
    Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B (2007) 362, 489–505 doi:10.1098/rstb.2006.1991 Published online 24 January 2007 Cognitive adaptations of social bonding in birds Nathan J. Emery1,*, Amanda M. Seed2, Auguste M. P. von Bayern1 and Nicola S. Clayton2 1Sub-department of Animal Behaviour, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 8AA, UK 2Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK The ‘social intelligence hypothesis’ was originally conceived to explain how primates may have evolved their superior intellect and large brains when compared with other animals. Although some birds such as corvids may be intellectually comparable to apes, the same relationship between sociality and brain size seen in primates has not been found for birds, possibly suggesting a role for other non-social factors. But bird sociality is different from primate sociality. Most monkeys and apes form stable groups, whereas most birds are monogamous, and only form large flocks outside of the breeding season. Some birds form lifelong pair bonds and these species tend to have the largest brains relative to body size. Some of these species are known for their intellectual abilities (e.g. corvids and parrots), while others are not (e.g. geese and albatrosses). Although socio-ecological factors may explain some of the differences in brain size and intelligence between corvids/parrots and geese/albatrosses, we predict that the type and quality of the bonded relationship is also critical. Indeed, we present empirical evidence that rook and jackdaw partnerships resemble primate and dolphin alliances. Although social interactions within a pair may seem simple on the surface, we argue that cognition may play an important role in the maintenance of long-term relationships, something we name as ‘relationship intelligence’.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Hierarchical Steepness on Grooming Patterns in Female Tibetan Macaques (Macaca Thibetana)
    fevo-09-631417 February 27, 2021 Time: 15:50 # 1 ORIGINAL RESEARCH published: 04 March 2021 doi: 10.3389/fevo.2021.631417 Effects of Hierarchical Steepness on Grooming Patterns in Female Tibetan Macaques (Macaca thibetana) Dong-Po Xia1,2*†, Xi Wang2,3†, Paul A. Garber4,5, Bing-Hua Sun2,3, Lori K. Sheeran6, Lixing Sun7 and Jin-Hua Li2,3* 1 School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, China, 2 International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei, China, 3 School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, China, 4 Department of Anthropology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States, 5 International Centre of Biodiversity and Primate Conservation, Dali University, Dali, China, 6 Department of Anthropology and Museum Studies, Central Washington Edited by: University, Ellensburg, WA, United States, 7 Department of Biological Sciences, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Lucja A. Fostowicz-Frelik, WA, United States Institute of Paleobiology (PAN), Poland Hierarchical steepness, defined as status asymmetries among conspecifics living in the Reviewed by: Małgorzata Arlet, same group, is not only used as a main characteristic of animal social relationships, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland but also represents the degree of discrepancy between supply and demand within Jundong Tian, Zhengzhou University, China the framework of biological market theory. During September and December 2011, *Correspondence: we studied hierarchical steepness by comparing variation in grooming patterns in two Dong-Po Xia groups of Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana), a primate species characterized by [email protected] a linear dominance hierarchy.
    [Show full text]
  • Sexual Selection in the Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur Catta): Female
    Copyright by Joyce Ann Parga 2006 The Dissertation Committee for Joyce Ann Parga certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: Sexual Selection in the Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta): Female Choice, Male Mating Strategies, and Male Mating Success in a Female Dominant Primate Committee: Deborah J. Overdorff, Supervisor Claud A. Bramblett Lisa Gould Rebecca J. Lewis Liza J. Shapiro Sexual Selection in the Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta): Female Choice, Male Mating Strategies, and Male Mating Success in a Female Dominant Primate by Joyce Ann Parga, B.S.; M.A. Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Texas at Austin December, 2006 Dedication To my grandfather, Santiago Parga Acknowledgements I would first like to thank the St. Catherines Island Foundation, without whose cooperation this research would not have been possible. The SCI Foundation graciously provided housing and transportation throughout the course of this research. Their aid is gratefully acknowledged, as is the permission to conduct research on the island that I was granted by the late President Frank Larkin and the Foundation board. The Larkin and Smith families are also gratefully acknowledged. SCI Superintendent Royce Hayes is thanked for his facilitation of all aspects of the field research, for his hospitality, friendliness, and overall accessibility - whether I was on or off the island. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is also an organization whose help is gratefully acknowledged. In particular, Colleen McCann and Jim Doherty of the WCS deserve thanks.
    [Show full text]
  • Intentional Gestures Predict Complex Sociality in Wild Chimpanzee
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/365858; this version posted July 10, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. Title page Intentional gestures predict complex sociality in wild chimpanzee Authors: Anna Ilona Roberts1*†, Sam George Bradley Roberts1, 2*† Affiliations: 1Department of Psychology, University of Chester, Chester; Parkgate Road, Chester CH1 4BJ, UK 2School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF *Correspondence to: [email protected], [email protected] †Equally contributing authors bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/365858; this version posted July 10, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. 1 Abstract 2 A key challenge for primates is coordinating behavior with conspecifics in large, complex 3 social groups. Gestures play a key role in this process and chimpanzees show considerable 4 flexibility communicating through single gestures, sequences of gestures interspersed with 5 periods of response waiting (persistence) and rapid sequences where gestures are made in quick 6 succession, too rapid for the response waiting to have occurred. Previous studies examined 7 behavioral reactions to single gestures and sequences, but whether this complexity is associated 8 with more complex sociality at the level of the dyad partner and the group as a whole is not 9 well understood. We used social network analysis to examine how the production of single 10 gestures and sequences of gestures was related to the duration of time spent in proximity and 11 individual differences in proximity in wild East African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes 12 schweinfurthii).
    [Show full text]
  • AT the DUKE LEMUR CENTER by Kathleen Marie Mcguire B
    i THE SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND DYNAMICS OF OLD RING-TAILED LEMURS (LEMUR CATTA) AT THE DUKE LEMUR CENTER By Kathleen Marie McGuire B.S., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2014 A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Colorado in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts. Department of Anthropology 2017 ii This thesis entitled: The Social Behavior and Dynamics of Old Ring-tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta) at the Duke Lemur Center written by Kathleen Marie McGuire has been approved for the Department of Anthropology _____________________________________________________ Dr. Michelle L. Sauther (Committee Chair) _____________________________________________________ Dr. Herbert H. Covert _____________________________________________________ Dr. Joanna E. Lambert Date The final copy of this thesis has been examined by the signatories, and we find that both the content and the form meet acceptable presentation standards of scholarly work in the above mentioned discipline. IACUC protocol # A168-14-07 iii Abstract McGuire, Kathleen Marie (M.A. Anthropology) The Social Behavior and Dynamics of Old Ring-tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta) at the Duke Lemur Center Thesis directed by Professor Michelle L. Sauther There has been little emphasis within primatology on the social and behavioral strategies old primates might use to meet the challenges of senescence while maintaining social engagement, such as assuming a group role like navigator. Understanding how old primates maintain sociality can reveal how behavioral flexibility might have facilitated an increase in longevity within the order. Using focal sampling of old (N = 9, 10+ years) and adult (N = 6, <10 years) Lemur catta at the Duke Lemur Center, activity budgets, social interactions, and group traveling information were recorded and compared from May to August of 2016.
    [Show full text]
  • Population-Specific Social Dynamics in Chimpanzees COLLOQUIUM
    PAPER Population-specific social dynamics in chimpanzees COLLOQUIUM Edwin J. C. van Leeuwena,b,1, Katherine A. Croninc,d, and Daniel B. M. Haune,f,g aSchool of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, KY16 9JP St Andrews, Scotland; bMax Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, 6500 AH Nijmegen, The Netherlands; cLester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL 60614; dCommittee on Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637; eLeipzig Research Centre for Early Child Development, Faculty of Education, Leipzig University, 04109 Leipzig, Germany; fDepartment for Early Child Development and Culture, Faculty of Education, Leipzig University, 04109 Leipzig, Germany; and gMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany Edited by Douglas L. Medin, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, and approved February 27, 2018 (received for review January 2, 2018) Understanding intraspecific variation in sociality is essential for as a pressing question in the study of psychological and behavioral characterizing the flexibility and evolution of social systems, yet its diversity: Beyond isolated accounts of tradition formation in non- study in nonhuman animals is rare. Here, we investigated whether human animals, is there any indication that nonhuman animals chimpanzees exhibit population-level differences in sociality that exhibit intraspecific population-level variation in their everyday so- cannot be easily explained by differences in genetics or ecology. We cial interactions that might be instigated by cultural processes? compared social proximity and grooming tendencies across four One seminal case demonstrating the plausibility of learned, semiwild populations of chimpanzees living in the same ecological population-level differences in sociality was reported by Sapolsky Papio anubis environment over three consecutive years, using both linear mixed and Share (31) in their study of olive baboons ( ).
    [Show full text]
  • Evolutionary History of Lorisiform Primates
    Evolution: Reviewed Article Folia Primatol 1998;69(suppl 1):250–285 oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Evolutionary History of Lorisiform Primates D. Tab Rasmussen, Kimberley A. Nekaris Department of Anthropology, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., USA Key Words Lorisidae · Strepsirhini · Plesiopithecus · Mioeuoticus · Progalago · Galago · Vertebrate paleontology · Phylogeny · Primate adaptation Abstract We integrate information from the fossil record, morphology, behavior and mo- lecular studies to provide a current overview of lorisoid evolution. Several Eocene prosimians of the northern continents, including both omomyids and adapoids, have been suggested as possible lorisoid ancestors, but these cannot be substantiated as true strepsirhines. A small-bodied primate, Anchomomys, of the middle Eocene of Europe may be the best candidate among putative adapoids for status as a true strepsirhine. Recent finds of Eocene primates in Africa have revealed new prosimian taxa that are also viable contenders for strepsirhine status. Plesiopithecus teras is a Nycticebus- sized, nocturnal prosimian from the late Eocene, Fayum, Egypt, that shares cranial specializations with lorisoids, but it also retains primitive features (e.g. four premo- lars) and has unique specializations of the anterior teeth excluding it from direct lorisi- form ancestry. Another unnamed Fayum primate resembles modern cheirogaleids in dental structure and body size. Two genera from Oman, Omanodon and Shizarodon, also reveal a mix of similarities to both cheirogaleids and anchomomyin adapoids. Resolving the phylogenetic position of these Africa primates of the early Tertiary will surely require more and better fossils. By the early to middle Miocene, lorisoids were well established in East Africa, and the debate about whether these represent lorisines or galagines is reviewed.
    [Show full text]
  • (Lemur Catta) in a Sub-Desert Spiny Forest Habitat at Berenty Reserve, Madagascar
    Behavioural Strategies of the Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) in a Sub-Desert Spiny Forest Habitat at Berenty Reserve, Madagascar. by Nicholas Wilson Ellwanger B.S., Emory University, 2002 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of Anthropology Behavioural Strategies of the Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) in a Sub-Desert Spiny Forest Habitat at Berenty Reserve, Madagascar. by Nicholas Wilson Ellwanger B.S., Emory University, 2002 Supervisory Committee Dr. Lisa Gould, Supervisor (Department of Anthropology) Dr. Yin Lam, Departmental Member (Department of Anthropology) Dr. Eric Roth, Departmental Member (Department of Anthropology) Dr. Laura Cowen, Outside Member (Department of Mathematics and Statistics) ii Supervisory Committee Dr. Lisa Gould, Supervisor (Department of Anthropology) Dr. Yin Lam, Supervisor, Departmental Member (Department of Anthropology) Dr. Eric Roth, Departmental Member (Department of Anthropology) Dr. Laura Cowen, Outside Member (Department of Mathematics and Statistics) ABSTRACT In an effort to better understand primate behavioural flexibility and responses to low- biomass habitats, behavioural patterns of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) living in a xerophytic spiny forest habitat in southern Madagascar were examined. Behavioural data were collected over two months on two separate groups living in two distinctly different habitats: a sub-desert spiny forest and a riverine gallery forest. Data on the following behavioural categories integral to primate sociality were collected: time allocation, anti- predator vigilance, predator sensitive foraging, feeding competition, and affiliative behaviour. L. catta living in the spiny forest habitat differed significantly in many behavioural patterns when compared to L. catta living in the gallery forest.
    [Show full text]
  • ANTH 4800 Introduction to the Living Primates Fall 2016 Section 001 • CRN 43243 • Mon/Wed/Fri 11:30 – 12:20 • Old Main 121
    ANTH 4800 Introduction to the Living Primates Fall 2016 Section 001 • CRN 43243 • Mon/Wed/Fri 11:30 – 12:20 • Old Main 121 Instructor Dr. Nanda Grow Office Old Main 245H Office Hours Mon 1-3pm and by appointment E-mail [email protected] Course Description This course provides a survey of the diversity of non-human primates and explores how studying primates contributes to our understanding of humans. We will begin with an introduction to the different primate species, including the characteristics of each primate group and how they are related. Each primate group will provide examples to examine variation in primate ecology, behavior, anatomy, and sociality. Topics include foraging behavior, social relationships and grouping patterns, reproduction, parenting strategies, sexual selection, geographic distributions, and communication strategies. We will then consider how the primatological perspective can be used to understand ourselves, exploring topics such as the evolution of culture, tool use, intelligence, and life history. Throughout the course we will explore the issues threatening the world’s primates. Course Objectives The goal of this course is to explore the nature of our nonhuman primate relatives and their relevance to anthropology. This course will survey the diverse anatomy, behavior, social systems, and geographic distributions seen in the world’s living primates. We will explore the causes for variation within and between different primates, looking at broad questions that currently challenge scientists. Learning Outcomes At the end of this course, students will… 1. Be familiar with the methods, theories, and questions that primatologists use. 2. Develop the ability to discuss and explain the evolution of primates and their ancestors using scientific evidence.
    [Show full text]
  • PRIMATE SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY Course Instructor PSYC W3628x
    PRIMATE SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY Course Instructor PSYC W3628x (4 pts) Christine Webb Location: 200C Schermerhorn Office: 329 Schermerhorn Term: Fall 2014 Office hours: TBD Days: Wednesdays E-mail: [email protected] Time: 12:10 – 2 PM Website: http://about.me/christine_webb Prerequisites Science of Psychology (PSYC 1001) or Mind, Brain, and Behavior (PSYC 1010), or equivalent introductory psychology course, plus instructor permission. Course Description This seminar covers recent progress in the growing field of primate social behavior and cognition. Most primate species live in complex social groups, requiring sophisticated knowledge of relationships and social processes in order to survive therein. Topics in this course range from aggression and dominance to affiliation, altruism and cooperation, with a special emphasis on contemporary debates such as the origin of moral systems and the question of animal ‘culture.’ Readings, discussions, and assignments will center on various theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of primate sociality, generating new insights and questions for pertinent dimensions of human social psychology. Course Rationale & Overview Primatology is a subject that naturally engages human beings. After all, humans are primates too. Whether we are scientists conducting research, interested students, or simply occasional zoo visitors, it is difficult to not be captivated when observing a group of nonhuman primates interact. But what is it exactly that we observe? What types of social systems, relationships, and dynamics exist in other primates? How do we define and measure social constructs? Though we can easily identify with nonhuman primate behavior, to what extent are our assumptions valid? The aim of this course is to provide you with the tools to develop your own answers to these questions.
    [Show full text]
  • Title Page Communicative Roots of Complex Sociality and Cognition Anna Ilona Roberts1*†, Sam George Bradley Roberts2*† Affil
    Title page Communicative roots of complex sociality and cognition Anna Ilona Roberts1*†, Sam George Bradley Roberts2*† Affiliations: 1Department of Psychology, University of Chester, Chester; Parkgate Road, Chester CH1 4BJ, UK 2School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF *Correspondence to: [email protected], [email protected] †Equally contributing authors 1 ABSTRACT 2 Mammals living in more complex social groups typically have large brains for their body size and 3 many researchers have proposed that the primary driver of the increase in brain size through 4 primate and hominin evolution are the selection pressures associated with sociality. Many 5 mammals, and especially primates, use flexible signals that show a high degree of voluntary control 6 and these signals may play an important role in maintaining and coordinating interactions between 7 group members. However, the specific role that cognitive skills play in this complex 8 communication, and how in turn this relates to sociality, is still unclear. The hypothesis for the 9 communicative roots of complex sociality and cognition posits that in socially complex species, 10 conspecifics develop and maintain bonded relationships through cognitively complex 11 communication more effectively than through less cognitively complex communication. We 12 review the research evidence in support of this hypothesis and how key features of complex 13 communication such as intentionality and referentiality are underpinned by complex cognitive 14 abilities. Exploring the link between cognition, communication and sociality provides insights into 15 how increasing flexibility in communication can facilitate the emergence of social systems 16 characterized by bonded social relationships, such as those found in primates and humans.
    [Show full text]
  • Urbanisation As an Important Driver of Nocturnal Primate Sociality.Pdf
    LJMU Research Online Scheun, J, Greeff, D and Nowack, J Urbanisation as an important driver of nocturnal primate sociality http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/11536/ Article Citation (please note it is advisable to refer to the publisher’s version if you intend to cite from this work) Scheun, J, Greeff, D and Nowack, J (2019) Urbanisation as an important driver of nocturnal primate sociality. Primates, 60 (4). pp. 375-381. ISSN 0032-8332 LJMU has developed LJMU Research Online for users to access the research output of the University more effectively. Copyright © and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. Users may download and/or print one copy of any article(s) in LJMU Research Online to facilitate their private study or for non-commercial research. You may not engage in further distribution of the material or use it for any profit-making activities or any commercial gain. The version presented here may differ from the published version or from the version of the record. Please see the repository URL above for details on accessing the published version and note that access may require a subscription. For more information please contact [email protected] http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/ 1 Urbanisation as an important driver of nocturnal primate sociality 2 Scheun, J.1,2, Greeff, D.1, Nowack, J3 3 1 National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, PO Box 754, Pretoria, 4 0001, South Africa. 5 2 Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, 6 Pretoria, South Africa 7 3 Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK 8 Corresponding author: [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0021-0473 9 10 Acknowledgements 11 We would like to thank Jamey Gulson and Duodane Kindler for their assistance in conducting field 12 observations.
    [Show full text]