Abstract: Experimental studies on social learning in animals have commonly centred on the psychological processes responsible for learning, and neglected social processes as potential influences on both the likelihood of social learning and the type of information that can be acquired socially. A model relating social learning to social dynamics among members of a group is presented. Three key hypotheses of the model are (1) behavioural coordination in time and/or space supports the process of social learning; (2) different kinds of coordination differentially support acquisition of different kinds of information; and (3) the various forms of behavioural coordination will be differentially affected by social dynamics. Several predictions relating inter-individual and group differences in social dynamics to social learning that follow from these hypotheses are presented.

Abstract: Abstract. Peaceful interventions in conflicts are an extremely rare phenomenon in most primate species. In contrast to aggressive interventions, they cannot lead to gains in terms of competition. To clarify the function and origin of this behaviour, the patterning and consequences of peaceful and aggressive interventions were studied in a semi-free ranging group of tonkean macaques, Macaca tonkeana. Intense conflicts frequently elicited both types of intervention. Interveners preferentially targeted the initiator of the conflict, who was generally the dominant of the two opponents. Males tended to intervene more than females, especially using peaceful interventions. Interventions were frequently performed on behalf of the most closely kin-related opponent; this was true particularly for aggressive interventions. In peaceful interventions, the intervener was usually dominant over both parties. Lipsmacking, clasping, mounting and social play were mainly used, and were successful in halting aggression. Peaceful interventions were frequently followed by an affinitive interaction, such as grooming, between intervener and target. Peaceful interventions thus appear to protect the beneficiary while preserving the social relationship between intervener and target. The origin of the behaviour can be traced to the epigenetic constraints arising from the species-specific social organization.

Abstract: Aggressive herding of females is a frequent but not invariant response by male savannah baboons,Papio cynocephalus, to encounters with other troops. While males in some troops are consistently more likely to herd than those in others, not all inter-troop encounters result in herding, even within particular troops. This suggests that males assess the risk of male invasion posed by each encounter and respond accordingly. We used data from baboon troops in the Drakensberg mountains to determine the rules males follow in deciding whether to herd. Consistent differences between troops were explained only by the adult sex ratio. Males were more likely to herd if the sex ratio of their own troop was female biased, a finding that is concordant with the observation that males are more likely to immigrate into troops where the sex ratio is more female biased than the population average. Differences within troops were a consequence only of encounter distance, with herding being more likely at closer distances. We found a negative correlation between the angle of approach to the other troop and the subsequent angle of deflection. We interpret this to mean that herding functions to increase the distance between the interacting troops, thereby curtailing opportunities for strange males to inspect the troop and determine its sex ratio. In this way, possibly unlike those in other populations, the decision rules of these male baboons are geared to protecting longer-term reproductive prospects.

Abstract: Dominance-subordinance relationships among a captive group of adule bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana) were studied from May 1977 to December 1978. Social interactions between females were brief in duration and infrequent. Although a dominance hierarchy was evident among the females, it was not linear. Horn length and body weight were not consistently correlated with social status. The highest ranking females were the most aggressive individuals, initiating more agonistic interactions than subordinates. Females with high social status did not have higher quality diets, lower activity costs, or higher productivity than low ranking females.

Abstract: In many gregarious species, including ducks and geese, being dominant provides more benefits than costs, because dominants have better access to resources essential for survival or reproduction. In geese, being in better body condition during migration towards the breeding grounds positively influences reproductive success. However, underlying proximate mechanisms linking prebreeding body condition on the wintering grounds to breeding success remain poorly understood. We investigated social dominance correlates and family status, in three consecutive winters, in a free-ranging, migrating, dark-bellied brent goose population. Families with juveniles dominated pairs, and pairs dominated singletons. Dominance rank did not increase with the number of juveniles per family. Males were dominant over females. Social dominance and reproductive status for a given winter were significantly correlated with body mass, body size and body condition during the previous winter, suggesting that body condition in winter also affects subsequent breeding success and hence also dominance. Levels of testosterone and triiodothyronine were not correlated with immediate or later dominance or reproductive status. We discuss the role of family status as a signal of social status in determining reproductive strategies.