Temporal modification of social interactions in response to changing group demographics and offspring maturation in African lions (Panthera leo)

Kirk, Jacqui; Wascher, Claudia A. F.

doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2018.06.006

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Lions live in groups called prides, which usually comprise four to six consanguineous adult females, their dependent offspring, and one or a few adult males from other prides, thus avoiding crossbreeding between relatives [2,3]. As a group-territorial species, their social structure provides greater defense of their long-term territories and enables communal protection of their offspring [4,5]. Lions have a "fission-fusion" social system, and their pride size varies according to the availability of resources, breaking into subgroups when resources are scarce [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most females remain in the pride when they reach sexual maturity at three years of age, whereas males reach sexual maturity at four years of age and are then evicted from the pride [2]. This male-biased dispersal increases mate choice, as well as benefits kin females to inherit high-quality territories and to remain philopatric [4]. In the wild, females live up to 19 years and males live an average of 16 years, but most of them do not usually exceed 12-13 years of age.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Levels in Response to a Change in Social and Handling Conditions in African Lions (Panthera leo bleyenberghi)

Serres-Corral

Fernández-Bellón

Padilla-Solé

et al. 2021

Animals

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Monitoring the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis through determination of fecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) levels is a non-invasive method useful for understanding how handling and social conditions may affect the physiological status of zoo animals. The present study used FCM analysis to evaluate whether the HPA axis activity of a lion pride was modified by a change in social and handling conditions after the death of the dominant male. Five African lions (Panthera leo bleyenberghi), two males and three females, were included in the study. Fecal samples were collected before and after the death of the dominant male. To avoid cohabitation conflicts between males before the dominant male died, subgroups were established and subjected to weekly changes between indoor and outdoor facilities. After the death of the dominant male, these management dynamics ceased, and the remaining four lions were kept together outdoors. Significant lower group FCM concentrations (p < 0.001) were detected after the decease of the dominant male, probably associated with a decrease in daily handling, together with a more stable social environment. Overall, the present study indicates the effect of different management scenarios on the HPA axis activity and differentiated physiological responses to the same situation between individuals.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Levels in Response to a Change in Social and Handling Conditions in African Lions (Panthera leo bleyenberghi)

Serres-Corral

Fernández-Bellón

Padilla-Solé

et al. 2021

Animals

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show abstract

“…Additionally, the characteristics of an animal's movement path can provide insight into where the animal was, for how long, and also potentially what the animal was doing (Morales et al 2004, Gurarie et al 2009. Thus, measures of -127-movement parameters may reveal changes in an animal's behaviour in response to resource availability and acquisition, landscape characteristics, and interference competition, as well as intragroup influences among gregarious species, including social behaviour and territoriality (Spong & Creel 2004, Bryce et al 2017, Kirk & Wascher 2018.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concurrent spatiotemporal ecology of African lions and spotted hyenas and the potential for inter- and intraspecific interactions in semi-arid and wetland ecosystems.

Barker

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Intraguild interactions among apex predators can potentially influence carnivore population densities and distribution, which may have profound effects on trophic processes within ecosystems. Coexisting carnivores are able to mitigate such interactions through behavioural mechanisms that promote spatiotemporal separation. Despite increasing research which highlights the occurrence and prevalence of competitive interactions between African lions (Panthera leo) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), studies that incorporate the effects of such interactions on lion and hyena space use patterns are limited. Interactions among sympatric carnivores reveal how predators utilize spatial and temporal partitioning strategies within jointly used areas, and elucidate the spatiotemporal patterns enabling species coexistence between them. Thus, an understanding of how inter- and intragroup interactions drives the movement responses of apex predators has important implications for the structure and function of large carnivore communities, and their conservation. We used remote tracking data to investigate aspects of the ecology and behaviour of lions and spotted hyenas, with an emphasis on the spatiotemporal patterns among coexisting populations. Both lions and spotted hyenas mediated the potential for interference competition through subtle differences in temporal activity, fine-scale habitat use differentiation, and localized reactive-avoidance behaviours. Recursivity to, and duration of time at, locales of high competitor probabilities, were similar among female lions and both sexes of hyenas, but different for male lions. Our findings of lion space-use patterns across arid and mesic environments indicated the seasonal influences of competitive interactions with competitors (spotted hyenas), in that lions selected for, and chose to move through areas with a lower probability of competitors during the dry season. Dyadic interactions among lions and spotted hyenas illuminates how hyenas effectively reduced their potential of interactions with lions by utilizing spatiotemporal partitioning strategies and local reactive avoidance behaviours within shared space use areas. Quantifying the types of movement behaviour between competitors highlights the type of interaction occurring in a dyad and enhances our understanding of the potential effects of interspecific interactions among large carnivore space-use patterns within an apex predator system. Both lions and spotted hyenas exploit different behavioural strategies resulting in fine-scale spatiotemporal segregation among shared space-use areas enabling the two species to co-exist, and show adaptability across heterogeneous and homogeneous environments. Such findings are essential in understanding the behavioural choices made by members of a guild that subsequently affects population dynamics and community structure of multi-species food networks.

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Cognitive enrichment for testing prosocial food-sharing in dolphin groups

Matrai,

Kwok,

Tan

et al. 2024

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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Cognitive enrichments have gained popularity in the past two decades in both farm animal and zoological settings. In this study, we present a cognitive enrichment device that, for the first time, allowed testing for prosocial food-sharing actions in dolphins. The device was made of a PVC tube and two caps with rope handles; one handle was fixed to the poolside whereas the other was available for the dolphins. Its internal structure kept five fish in place while maintaining a closed status. The dolphin who pulled the rope handle could not access the fish but allowed another individual to access it. Once the handle was released, however, the device closed back. The device was tested with a male and a female group, separately. The males obtained approximately a third, while the females acquired none of the fish using the device. Moreover, the males were observed to open the device more frequently and longer in the presence of their group members and with consistent roles. These results provide the first support of male dolphins’ willingness to engage in food-sharing that could be considered as an altruistic action. It also provides basis for further investigations on more detailed and long-term monitoring of the emergence and consequences of such cooperative actions.

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Temporal modification of social interactions in response to changing group demographics and offspring maturation in African lions (Panthera leo)

Cited by 3 publications

References 49 publications

Evaluation of Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Levels in Response to a Change in Social and Handling Conditions in African Lions (Panthera leo bleyenberghi)

Evaluation of Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Levels in Response to a Change in Social and Handling Conditions in African Lions (Panthera leo bleyenberghi)

Concurrent spatiotemporal ecology of African lions and spotted hyenas and the potential for inter- and intraspecific interactions in semi-arid and wetland ecosystems.

Cognitive enrichment for testing prosocial food-sharing in dolphin groups

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