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Modelling Dominance Hierarchies Under Winner and Loser Effects
Klodeta Kura1, Mark Broom, Anne Kandler
1Department of Mathematics, City University London, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB, UK, klodeta.kura.1@city.ac.uk.
Bulletin of Mathematical Biology
|March 6, 2015
Summary
This study models dominance hierarchy formation in animal groups, revealing that fewer fights are needed to establish linear hierarchies when individuals can estimate opponents' abilities, even with errors.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Mathematical Modeling
Background:
- Social animals form dominance hierarchies to manage resource allocation, including mating and food access.
- Winner and loser effects are key concepts influencing hierarchy formation and stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model dominance hierarchy formation using winner and loser effects.
- To analyze hierarchy linearity and the number of fights required for establishment.
- To compare models with and without opponent ability estimation.
Main Methods:
- Developed a simulation-based model of dominance hierarchy formation.
- Incorporated winner and loser effects into the model.
- Analyzed hierarchy linearity using statistical measures under different estimation conditions.
Main Results:
- Hierarchy linearity can be achieved in both models (with and without ability estimation).
- Fewer fights are required to establish linear hierarchies when individuals can estimate opponent abilities, even with errors.
- The number of fights needed depends on the accuracy of ability estimation.
Conclusions:
- Dominance hierarchies can be established efficiently through winner and loser effects.
- Ability estimation plays a crucial role in the speed and linearity of hierarchy formation.
- The study provides insights into the dynamics of social structure and resource competition in animal groups.
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