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Visually Sexing Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius Ludovicianus) Using Plumage Coloration and Pattern
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Sex and spatial proximity affect ungulate behavioral synchrony.

George M W Hodgson1,2, Kate J Flay3, Tania A Perroux3

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

Peerj
|May 25, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Same-sex interactions and close proximity promote synchronized behavior in cattle groups. These factors are more influential than dominance or affiliation in driving collective activity and spatial proximity.

Keywords:
Bos taurusCohesionDominanceForagingGroup coordinationRuminantSexual segregation

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Area of Science:

  • Ethology
  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Social Mammal Dynamics

Background:

  • Collective group decisions are crucial for social mammals' survival and reproduction.
  • Activity synchronization, influenced by factors like foraging needs, is a key aspect of collective behavior.
  • Individual variations (sex, social relationships) are predicted to impact ungulate synchronization and spatial proximity, potentially influencing sexual segregation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the concurrent roles of sex, sociality (dominance and affiliation), and proximity in behavioral synchronization within a mixed-sex group of feral cattle (Bos taurus).
  • To evaluate how these factors affect foraging, behavioral synchrony, and spatial proximity.
  • To test predictions regarding the influence of individual variation on synchronization patterns in ungulates.

Main Methods:

  • Observation of a mixed-sex group of feral cattle (Bos taurus).
  • Analysis of foraging behavior, behavioral synchrony, and spatial proximity.
  • Statistical evaluation of the effects of sex, dominance, and affiliation on dyadic synchronization.

Main Results:

  • Same-sex dyads exhibited higher synchronization rates compared to mixed-sex dyads.
  • Dominance and affiliation influenced dyadic synchrony primarily when high foraging activity observations were excluded.
  • Focal animals showed greater synchronization with their nearest neighbors than with randomly selected conspecifics.
  • Synchronization was biased towards individuals in close spatial proximity and of the same sex.

Conclusions:

  • Individual differences, particularly sex and spatial proximity, significantly explain variation in activity synchronization within cattle groups.
  • Same-sex preference and proximity are key drivers of synchronized behavior, overriding social hierarchy and affiliation in certain contexts.
  • Findings highlight the complex interplay of social structure and individual variation in shaping collective behavior in ungulates.