Bolder together: conformity drives behavioral plasticity in eastern gartersnakes

Area of Science:

• Animal Behavior
• Behavioral Ecology
• Neuroethology

Background:

• Personality traits influence consistent behavioral differences across time and environments.
• Behavioral plasticity is crucial for adaptation, but personality can limit this flexibility.
• Understanding how social contexts affect personality expression is key to behavioral ecology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess consistency and flexibility of boldness in eastern gartersnakes across solitary and paired contexts.
• To investigate if snakes display behavioral plasticity and conform to social partners.
• To explore the interplay between individual differences, conformity, and plasticity in shaping social behavior.

Main Methods:

• Eastern gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) were tested individually in a novel open arena.
• Snakes were subsequently paired with bolder or less bold partners, determined from solo trials.
• Behavioral responses, specifically boldness, were recorded and compared between solitary and paired conditions.

Main Results:

• Snakes demonstrated consistent boldness within contexts (solo or paired) but altered behavior across contexts.
• Behavioral plasticity in boldness was observed, influenced by partner's boldness.
• Less bold snakes showed greater conformity, adjusting their behavior more in the presence of a bolder partner.

Conclusions:

• Personality expression is not rigid; cognitive processes are flexible and sensitive to social context.
• Both behavioral consistency and plasticity contribute to social behavior, allowing adaptation to competitive environments.
• This context-dependent behavioral plasticity may be advantageous for species with seasonal group living.