Social networks predict selective observation and information spread in ravens

  • Ipek G. Kulahci
    Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
  • Daniel I. Rubenstein
    Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
  • Thomas Bugnyar
    Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
  • William Hoppitt
    School of Biology, Leeds University, Leeds, UK
  • Nace Mikus
    Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
  • Christine Schwab
    Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria

説明

<jats:p> Animals are predicted to selectively observe and learn from the conspecifics with whom they share social connections. Yet, hardly anything is known about the role of different connections in observation and learning. To address the relationships between social connections, observation and learning, we investigated transmission of information in two raven ( <jats:italic>Corvus corax</jats:italic> ) groups. First, we quantified social connections in each group by constructing networks on affiliative interactions, aggressive interactions and proximity. We then seeded novel information by training one group member on a novel task and allowing others to observe. In each group, an observation network based on who observed whose task-solving behaviour was strongly correlated with networks based on affiliative interactions and proximity. Ravens with high social centrality (strength, eigenvector, information centrality) in the affiliative interaction network were also central in the observation network, possibly as a result of solving the task sooner. Network-based diffusion analysis revealed that the order that ravens first solved the task was best predicted by connections in the affiliative interaction network in a group of subadult ravens, and by social rank and kinship (which influenced affiliative interactions) in a group of juvenile ravens. Our results demonstrate that not all social connections are equally effective at predicting the patterns of selective observation and information transmission. </jats:p>

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