Journal article
Eastern water dragons use alternative social tactics at different local densities
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Vol.72(148)
2018
Abstract
Animals' affiliative behaviour is, in many species, driven by population density. Although the causes of such an effect are probably varied, affiliative social behaviour can sometimes be used to minimise conflict and competition when conspecific density is high. However, individuals might instead use multiple different social tactics (e.g. social avoidance or social preference) in order to optimally minimise competition and social conflict at different local densities. Here, we investigated whether eastern water dragons (Intellegama lesueurii) use alternative social tactics at different local densities. Interestingly, we found that whilst the number of casual associations per individual increased linearly with density, as predicted by our null expectation, the relationship with density differed between social avoidance and social preference. In particular, individuals had more preferential associations at intermediate density but more avoidances at high density. This suggests that both male and female dragons use alternative social tactics according to the density of their social environment, possibly to optimally reduce social conflict.
Details
- Title
- Eastern water dragons use alternative social tactics at different local densities
- Authors
- Kasha Strickland (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringEric M Patterson (Author) - Georgetown University, United StatesCeline H Frere (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Vol.72(148); 9
- Publisher
- Springer
- Date published
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00265-018-2563-x
- ISSN
- 0340-5443
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451216302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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