Group Life Flashcards
What are extensive groups in domestic animal groupings?
Groups closer to a natural setting such as free-ranging animals
Extensive groups provide a more natural living environment for animals
What are intensive groups in domestic animal groupings?
Groups often a compromise of economics, management, and welfare (health & behaviour)
Intensive groups may limit animal movements due to proximity to others
Define crowding in the context of intensive groups.
Groups of individuals whose movements are restricted by the physical presence of others
Higher likelihood of aggression or avoidance behaviour due to close proximity
What are the consequences of crowding in animal groups?
Aggression or avoidance behaviour
Resource availability and management are essential to mitigate these consequences
What are the key differences between intensive and extensive groups?
- Group Size
- Spacing
- Age and sex distribution
These differences affect the social dynamics and welfare of the animals
What is Buller-steer syndrome?
A behavioral problem in groups of cattle recognized by repeated mounting of one animal by a group of others
This syndrome highlights the importance of social dynamics in animal welfare
What factors can lead to the maintenance of animal groups?
Dominance, food availability, breeding status
Groups can be temporary or highly structured, varying with species
Define dominance in animal groups.
The predictable outcome between a pair of individuals where one learns to dominate the other
Dominance is often established through learned relationships and past encounters
What is a dominance hierarchy?
A system that helps maintain order within the group
It is unique to a particular group and can be disrupted by adding/removing animals
What is the avoidance order in dominance hierarchies?
Subordinate group members avoid provoking those ranked above them
This behavior helps reduce conflicts and injuries in group settings
What are the three hypotheses for determining dominance?
- Pairwise
- Suppression
- Continuous assessment
These hypotheses explain how dominance ranks can be established and maintained
How do dominant individuals maintain their status?
Through pairwise fights and the likelihood of injury
Dominants may choose to avoid fights if the risk of losing is high
What role does individual recognition play in hierarchy development?
It requires memory of past encounters
Recognition tools differ by species, impacting social dynamics
What are the individual roles within a group?
Different roles such as dominant versus submissive roles enhance group efficiency
Example: In bee colonies, roles are divided among queen, workers, and drones
What influences the role of individuals in family-reared groups?
The hierarchical rank of the foal is positively correlated to that of its mother
Maternal influence can shape social status in offspring
What is the role of groomers in animal groups?
Groomers clean parasites and reduce tension within the group
Absence of primary groomers can lead to reduced productivity, such as milk production in dairy cows
What are affiliative behaviours?
Behaviours that promote and are important for group cohesion
Friendships in animals can reduce aggression and enhance social bonds
How do leaders function in herd animals?
Leaders initiate grazing, travelling, or resting
They are often older, sociable, and mid to high ranking, but not necessarily dominant
What strategies do producers and scroungers use in foraging?
Scroungers exploit the work of producers
Example: In red deer, harem owners defend their group while young males sneak matings
What factors determine the effectiveness of group communication?
- Detectability
- Discriminability
- Memorability
These factors influence how well signals are received and understood within the group
What is the difference between cooperative and non-cooperative signals?
- Cooperative signal: receiver benefits from detecting the signal
- Non-cooperative signal: receiver does not benefit from detecting the signal
Understanding these types of signals is crucial for studying animal communication
Can signals indicate internal states in animals?
Yes, signals can communicate states such as pain or distress
Age and species can influence how these signals are expressed
Are all signals honest?
No, some signals can be dishonest
Dishonest calls may occur in foraging birds and can lead to confusion within the group
