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Wild jackdaws can selectively adjust their social associations while preserving valuable long-term relationships

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Kings

    (University of Exeter)

  • Josh J. Arbon

    (University of Exeter
    University of Bristol)

  • Guillam E. McIvor

    (University of Exeter)

  • Martin Whitaker

    (technologywithin)

  • Andrew N. Radford

    (University of Bristol)

  • Jürgen Lerner

    (University of Konstanz
    RWTH Aachen University)

  • Alex Thornton

    (University of Exeter)

Abstract

Influential theories of the evolution of cognition and cooperation posit that tracking information about others allows individuals to adjust their social associations strategically, re-shaping social networks to favour connections between compatible partners. Crucially, to our knowledge, this has yet to be tested experimentally in natural populations, where the need to maintain long-term, fitness-enhancing relationships may limit social plasticity. Using a social-network-manipulation experiment, we show that wild jackdaws (Corvus monedula) learned to favour social associations with compatible group members (individuals that provided greater returns from social foraging interactions), but resultant change in network structure was constrained by the preservation of valuable pre-existing relationships. Our findings provide insights into the cognitive basis of social plasticity and the interplay between individual decision-making and social-network structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Kings & Josh J. Arbon & Guillam E. McIvor & Martin Whitaker & Andrew N. Radford & Jürgen Lerner & Alex Thornton, 2023. "Wild jackdaws can selectively adjust their social associations while preserving valuable long-term relationships," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-40808-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40808-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jessica C. Flack & Michelle Girvan & Frans B. M. de Waal & David C. Krakauer, 2006. "Policing stabilizes construction of social niches in primates," Nature, Nature, vol. 439(7075), pages 426-429, January.
    2. Francisco C Santos & Jorge M Pacheco & Tom Lenaerts, 2006. "Cooperation Prevails When Individuals Adjust Their Social Ties," PLOS Computational Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 2(10), pages 1-8, October.
    3. Lisa F Gill & Jaap van Schaik & Auguste M P von Bayern & Manfred L Gahr & Amanda Ridley, 2020. "Genetic monogamy despite frequent extrapair copulations in “strictly monogamous” wild jackdaws," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 31(1), pages 247-260.
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