A cross-taxonomic explanatory framework for mobbing behavior

Mobbing is an important antipredator strategy wherein prey approach harass and attack nonhunting predators, using conspicuous stereotyped movements and/or vocalizations. This behavior can reduce current and future threats of predation. In this paper, we aim to provide a framework that integrates prey, predator, and environmental factors, to illuminate how multiple factors and their interactions can explain mobbing propensity. We hope to encourage targeted and systematic investigation into the ecology and evolution of mobbing by focusing on an integrated view on life history, social, and ecological conditions, and a broader taxonomic spread of investigations. By incorporating a broader view of an animal's ecology, we can better understand the tradeoff that individuals experience when deciding to engage in mobbing, and by examining this behavior across different species, life-histories, ecologies, and communities, we can better understand the larger ecological contexts in which mobbing is an effective strategy as opposed to when it is not. Finally, we highlight some other areas we feel need further investigation to advance our understanding of mobbing.