Individual performance in complex social systems: the greylag goose example

Kotrschal, Kurt; Scheiber, Isabella B. R.; Hirschenhauser, Katharina

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-02624-9_5

Cited by 28 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 139 publications

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“…We investigated variation in haematocrit and blood leucocytes in relation to endogenous (age, sex) and exogenous factors (social status, season) in a free living and individually marked population of the socially complex greylag geese, Anser anser (Lorenz, 1988; Kotrschal, Hemetsberger & Weiß, 2006; Kotrschal, Scheiber & Hirschenhauser, 2010; Hemetsberger, Scheiber & Weiß, 2013). Social context is known to be among the strongest modulators of the physiological stress responses in greylag geese (e.g., Wascher, Scheiber & Kotrschal, 2008; Wascher, Arnold & Kotrschal, 2008; Wascher et al , 2009; Kralj-Fiser et al, 2010), which in turn are alleviated via emotional social support by partners (Frigerio, et al , 2003; Scheiber et al , 2005; Scheiber, Kotrschal & Weiß, 2009; Wascher et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Social context is known to be among the strongest modulators of the physiological stress responses in greylag geese (e.g., Wascher, Scheiber & Kotrschal, 2008; Wascher, Arnold & Kotrschal, 2008; Wascher et al , 2009; Kralj-Fiser et al, 2010), which in turn are alleviated via emotional social support by partners (Frigerio, et al , 2003; Scheiber et al , 2005; Scheiber, Kotrschal & Weiß, 2009; Wascher et al, 2012). Across seasons, males and females are faced with different demands (Kotrschal, Scheiber & Hirschenhauser, 2010); consequently, physiological changes, such as levels of corticosterone, co-vary with seasonal variation in behaviour (Hirschenhauser, Moestl & Kotrschal, 1999a; Hirschenhauser, Moestl & Kotrschal, 1999b; Frigerio et al, 2004a). The reproductive season of greylag geese starts in January.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social and environmental factors modulate leucocyte profiles in free-living Greylag geese (Anser anser)

Frigerio

Ludwig

Hemetsberger

et al. 2017

PeerJ

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BackgroundBlood parameters such as haematocrit or leucocyte counts are indicators of immune status and health, which can be affected, in a complex way, by exogenous as well as endogenous factors. Additionally, social context is known to be among the most potent stressors in group living individuals, therefore potentially influencing haematological parameters. However, with few exceptions, this potential causal relationship received only moderate scientific attention.MethodsIn a free-living and individually marked population of the highly social and long-lived Greylag goose, Anser anser, we relate variation in haematocrit (HCT), heterophils to lymphocytes ratio (H/L) and blood leucocyte counts to the following factors: intrinsic (sex, age, raising condition, i.e. goose- or hand-raised), social (pair-bond status, pair-bond duration and parental experience) and environmental (biologically relevant periods, ambient temperature) factors. Blood samples were collected repeatedly from a total of 105 focal birds during three biologically relevant seasons (winter flock, mating season, summer).ResultsWe found significant relationships between haematological parameters and social as well as environmental factors. During the mating season, unpaired individuals had higher HCT compared to paired and family individuals and this pattern reversed in fall. Similarly, H/L ratio was positively related to pair-bond status in a seasonally dependent way, with highest values during mating and successful pairs had higher H/L ratio than unsuccessful ones. Also, absolute number of leucocytes tended to vary depending on raising condition in a seasonally dependent way.DiscussionHaematology bears a great potential in ecological and behavioural studies on wild vertebrates. In sum, we found that HTC, H/L ratio and absolute number of leucocytes are modulated by social factors and conclude that they may be considered valid indicators of individual stress load.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social and environmental factors modulate leucocyte profiles in free-living Greylag geese (Anser anser)

Frigerio

Ludwig

Hemetsberger

et al. 2017

PeerJ

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“…The relationships between individuals are the basic elements of a social group, and this includes the formation and maintenance of pair‐bonds (Kotrschal et al. ). But, how can we quantify and measure pair‐bond quality or the degree of attachment between two individuals?…”

Section: Pair‐bonds In Long‐term Monogamous Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast, in long‐term monogamous animals such as greylag geese, a partner is not only a mate for reproduction but also a social ally throughout the year (Kotrschal et al. ). Thus, for long‐term monogamous individuals, partner compatibility and within‐pair coordination must be especially important.…”

Section: Pair‐bonds In Long‐term Monogamous Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Testosterone and Partner Compatibility: Evidence and Emerging Questions

Hirschenhauser

2012

Ethology

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In socially monogamous species pair partners often form and maintain long‐term pair‐bonds. Relationships between pair partners are dynamic and driven by both cooperation and conflicts between the sexes. Successful reproduction depends on behavioural coordination and cooperation, which includes continuing mutual responsiveness between the pair partners, as well as conflicts, for example, over parental investment. Gonadal hormones, such as testosterone, centrally regulate reproduction and are potentially involved in the formation and maintenance of pair‐bonds. In greylag geese ( Anser anser), a positive within‐pair testosterone co‐variation (TC) among pair partners has been observed at the seasonal level. Goose pairs with a higher TC have a higher reproductive output and long‐term success than pairs with lower TC, but it is still not clear whether TC is cause or consequence. In this article, I (i) summarize the evidence for hormonal partner compatibility in geese, (ii) ask whether TC is restricted to monogamous and biparental systems and (iii) synthesize open questions or new aspects of information we may draw by studying hormonal partner compatibility. From longitudinal studies in geese, we know that TC decreases with pair‐bond duration. This indicates some form of ‘attritional effect’ over the years rather than an improved breeding performance with increasing familiarity between the partners (the ‘mate familiarity hypothesis’). Under certain circumstances, for example, during ageing, selection may not act in the same direction for males and females. Partner preference increased female androgen levels during laying and social instability may impinge on the pair's TC. Data from other species show that TC is not restricted to monogamous species, but presumably the link between TC and reproductive output may be primarily relevant in species with biparental care. This article surveys the major unanswered questions relating to hormonal partner compatibility and previews potential future work for addressing those open issues.

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“…Today, the flock consists of about 140 free-flying birds. These birds rival social mammals in social complexity [10], but with easily observable behaviour. All individuals are marked with a unique combination of coloured leg rings and are habituated to the close presence of humans.…”

Section: Animals and Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Children and Scientific Observations: Pupils Measuring Greylag Goose Behaviour

Frigerio¹,

Kotrschal²,

Millesi³

et al. 2012

IJCDSE

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Recent scientific research provides increasing evidence for the importance of promoting scientific skills even among children. In the present study, a total of 110 primary school pupils from three different grades (first to third, 6-10 years of age) and seven different classes were involved in an observational scientific project about the behaviour of a highly social bird, the Greylag goose (Anser anser). The semi-tame flock of the Core Facility "Konrad Lorenz Forschungsstelle" for Behaviour and Cognition-University of Vienna offers a unique opportunity for school-children to work with freeliving animals. It consists of around 140 free-flying and individually marked geese, which are habituated to the close presence of humans. Here, we focussed on the children's capability of collecting behavioural data in a reliable and standardized way. The goal was to determine whether the pupils could be actively involved in the collection of such behavioural data. The pupils were instructed and trained at school as well as in the field on how to observe Greylag goose behaviour. Their reliability was tested using analyses of video sequences with a group of professional behavioural biologists as control. The results showed no significant differences between the performance of pupils and professional biologists, confirming the children's enormous potential to be reliable observers in animal behaviour research.

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Individual performance in complex social systems: the greylag goose example

Cited by 28 publications

References 139 publications

Social and environmental factors modulate leucocyte profiles in free-living Greylag geese (Anser anser)

Social and environmental factors modulate leucocyte profiles in free-living Greylag geese (Anser anser)

Testosterone and Partner Compatibility: Evidence and Emerging Questions

Children and Scientific Observations: Pupils Measuring Greylag Goose Behaviour

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