Fission-fusion dynamics over large distances in raven non-breeders
Abstract The influence of fission-fusion dynamics, i.e., temporal variation in group size and composition, on social complexity has been studied in large-brained mammals that rely on social bonds. Little is known about birds, even though some species like ravens have recently received attention for...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2017-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-00404-4 |
| _version_ | 1819035926904438784 |
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| author | Matthias-Claudio Loretto Richard Schuster Christian Itty Pascal Marchand Fulvio Genero Thomas Bugnyar |
| author_facet | Matthias-Claudio Loretto Richard Schuster Christian Itty Pascal Marchand Fulvio Genero Thomas Bugnyar |
| author_sort | Matthias-Claudio Loretto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The influence of fission-fusion dynamics, i.e., temporal variation in group size and composition, on social complexity has been studied in large-brained mammals that rely on social bonds. Little is known about birds, even though some species like ravens have recently received attention for their socio-cognitive skills and use of social bonds. While raven breeders defend territories year-round, non-breeders roam through large areas and form groups at food sources or night roosts. We here examined the fission-fusion patterns of non-breeding ravens over years, investigating whether birds meet repeatedly either at the same or at different locations. We combined four large datasets: presence-absence observations from two study sites (Austria, Italy) and GPS-tracking of ravens across two study areas (Austria, France). As expected, we found a highly dynamic system in which individuals with long phases of temporary settlement had a high probability of meeting others. Although GPS-tagged ravens spread out over thousands of square kilometres, we found repeated associations between almost half of the possible combinations at different locations. Such a system makes repeated interactions between individuals at different sites possible and likely. High fission-fusion dynamics may thus not hinder but shape the social complexity of ravens and, possibly, other long-term bonded birds. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T07:57:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f3672dfad1ce4d3e8c6e5bf05d92e10b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T07:57:24Z |
| publishDate | 2017-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-f3672dfad1ce4d3e8c6e5bf05d92e10b2022-12-21T19:10:58ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222017-03-01711910.1038/s41598-017-00404-4Fission-fusion dynamics over large distances in raven non-breedersMatthias-Claudio Loretto0Richard Schuster1Christian Itty2Pascal Marchand3Fulvio Genero4Thomas Bugnyar5Department of Cognitive Biology, University of ViennaDepartment of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British ColumbiaOffice National de la Chasse et de Faune sauvage, Délégation Régionale Occitanie, Actisud Bâtiment 12Office National de la Chasse et de Faune sauvage, Délégation Régionale Occitanie, Actisud Bâtiment 12Riserva naturale regionale del Lago di Cornino, I-33030 Forgaria nel FriuliDepartment of Cognitive Biology, University of ViennaAbstract The influence of fission-fusion dynamics, i.e., temporal variation in group size and composition, on social complexity has been studied in large-brained mammals that rely on social bonds. Little is known about birds, even though some species like ravens have recently received attention for their socio-cognitive skills and use of social bonds. While raven breeders defend territories year-round, non-breeders roam through large areas and form groups at food sources or night roosts. We here examined the fission-fusion patterns of non-breeding ravens over years, investigating whether birds meet repeatedly either at the same or at different locations. We combined four large datasets: presence-absence observations from two study sites (Austria, Italy) and GPS-tracking of ravens across two study areas (Austria, France). As expected, we found a highly dynamic system in which individuals with long phases of temporary settlement had a high probability of meeting others. Although GPS-tagged ravens spread out over thousands of square kilometres, we found repeated associations between almost half of the possible combinations at different locations. Such a system makes repeated interactions between individuals at different sites possible and likely. High fission-fusion dynamics may thus not hinder but shape the social complexity of ravens and, possibly, other long-term bonded birds.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-00404-4 |
| spellingShingle | Matthias-Claudio Loretto Richard Schuster Christian Itty Pascal Marchand Fulvio Genero Thomas Bugnyar Fission-fusion dynamics over large distances in raven non-breeders Scientific Reports |
| title | Fission-fusion dynamics over large distances in raven non-breeders |
| title_full | Fission-fusion dynamics over large distances in raven non-breeders |
| title_fullStr | Fission-fusion dynamics over large distances in raven non-breeders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fission-fusion dynamics over large distances in raven non-breeders |
| title_short | Fission-fusion dynamics over large distances in raven non-breeders |
| title_sort | fission fusion dynamics over large distances in raven non breeders |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-00404-4 |
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