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A framework for the identification of long-term social avoidance in longitudinal datasets
Kasha Strickland1, Alexis Levengood1, Vivienne Foroughirad1,2
1Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Maroochydore DC, Queensland 4558, Australia.
Royal Society Open Science
|September 8, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed a new null model to detect social avoidance in animals. This model identified social avoidance in Eastern water dragons and bottlenose dolphins, improving our understanding of animal social behavior.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary ecology
- Behavioural ecology
- Animal sociality
Background:
- Animal sociality research often focuses on social preference, neglecting social avoidance.
- Individual social patterns result from both attraction and avoidance of conspecifics.
- Social avoidance is crucial for a holistic understanding of animal social interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a spatially explicit, iterative null model for identifying non-random social avoidance in longitudinal animal studies.
- To detail the parameters influencing the model's validity.
- To test the model's usability in real-world animal populations.
Main Methods:
- Developed a spatially explicit, iterative null model.
- Identified and detailed key parameters for model validity.
- Applied the model to longitudinal data from Eastern water dragons (Intellegama lesueurii) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus).
Main Results:
- Successfully identified the presence of social avoidances in both Eastern water dragons and bottlenose dolphins.
- Demonstrated the usability of the developed null model.
- Highlighted the importance of considering social avoidance in ecological studies.
Conclusions:
- The developed null model provides a framework for studying social avoidance in animals.
- Addressing the gap in social avoidance research offers a more complete understanding of animal sociality.
- This approach can be applied to various species in longitudinal studies.
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