A5020426998- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Child and Animal Learning Development
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability
- Plant and animal studies
- Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
University of Neuchâtel
2013-2021
University of Lausanne
2019
Kalahari Meerkat Project
2014
Conformity to local behavioral norms reflects the pervading role of culture in human life. Laboratory experiments have begun suggest a for conformity animal social learning, but evidence from wild remains circumstantial. Here, we show experimentally that vervet monkeys will abandon personal foraging preferences favor group new them. Groups first learned avoid bitter-tasting alternative two foods. Presentations these options untreated months later revealed all infants naïve foods adopted...
Abstract Network optimality has been described in genes, proteins and human communicative networks. In the latter, leads to efficient transmission of information with a minimum number connections. Whilst studies show that differences centrality exist animal networks central individuals having higher fitness, network efficiency never studied groups. Here we 78 groups primates (24 species). We found group size neocortex ratio were correlated efficiency. Centralisation (whether several are...
Social network analysis is a powerful tool that enables us to describe and quantify relationships between individuals. So far most of the studies rely on analyses various snapshots, but do not capture changes over time. Here we use stochastic actor-oriented model (SAOM) test both structure dynamics three groups wild vervet monkeys. We found triadic closure (i.e. friend friend) was significant in all while degree popularity willingness associate with individuals high connections) only two...
Abstract In many animal societies, a small proportion of dominant females monopolize reproduction by actively suppressing subordinates. Theory assumes that this is because subordinate depresses the fitness dominants, yet effect on behaviour and reproductive success has never been directly assessed. Here, we describe consequences experimentally preventing breeding in 12 groups wild meerkats ( Suricata suricatta ) for three attempts, using contraceptive injections. When subordinates are...
The Machiavellian/Social Intelligence Hypothesis proposes that a complex social environment selected for advanced cognitive abilities in vertebrates. In primates it has been proposed sophisticated strategies like obtaining suitable coalition partners are an important component of intelligence. Knowing the rank relationships between group members is basic requirement efficient use coalitions and anticipation counter-coalitions. Experimental evidence such knowledge currently exists only few...
Abstract Animals often have a limited time to perform different fitness‐enhancing activities, such as the trade‐off between socializing versus foraging in group‐living species. Many previous studies focused on how ecological and social factors influence activity budget at individual or group level various However, few primate multiple study groups living within similar habitat. Here, we analyse group, season sex effects of wild vervet monkeys ( Chlorocebus pygerythrus ) four with overlapping...
Abstract In species that live in stable groups, successful management of time budget (i.e., the proportion involved different behaviours) and social relationships has been proposed to be a key variable affecting individual fitness. Such is limited by constraints, which are group size season dependancy. However, link between constraints grooming patterns as means service never studied experimentally. Here, we reduced three wild vervet monkey ( Chlorocebus aethiops pygerythrus ) groups...
Social animals face daily challenges to fulfil feeding, resting and social needs. In vervet monkeys, Chlorocebus pygerythrus, females are the core of group, in which relationships mainly established maintained through grooming. However, not necessarily mutual or driven by same interests. a complex diverse environment, individuals may benefit from ability adapt their manoeuvring different pressures. We experimentally manipulated activity budget two adult (fed subjects) per group four wild...
Group living promotes opportunities for both cooperation and competition. Selection on the ability to cope with such opposing social has been proposed as a driving force in evolution of large brains primates other species. However, we still know little about degree complexity involved strategies. Here, report advanced strategies wild vervet monkeys. Building recent experimental evidence that subordinate females trade grooming tolerance from higher-ranking individuals during foraging...
It has been suggested that social challenges in group-living species which individuals maintain long-term relationships select for advanced cognitive processes. A key challenge testing this hypothesis is to design experiments allow the assessment of animals' knowledge conspecifics and how they use information their own advantage. Here, we present data on wild vervets using an experimental paradigm induced a competitive context. After training females obtain food from personal box, placed box...