Social Networks in Primates: Smart and Tolerant Species Have More Efficient Networks

Authors

Cristian Pasquaretta, Universite de StrasbourgFollow
Marine Levé, Universite de StrasbourgFollow
Nicolas Claidière, University of St AndrewsFollow
Andrew Whiten, University of St AndrewsFollow
Andrew J. J. MacIntosh, Kyoto UniversityFollow
Marie Pelé, Research and Consultancy Agency in Animal Wellbeing and BehaviourFollow
Mackenzie L. Bergstrom, University of CalgaryFollow
Christèle Borgeaud, University of NeuchatelFollow
Sarah F. Brosnan, Georgia State UniversityFollow
Margaret C. Crofoot, University of California, DavisFollow
Linda M. Fedigan, University of CalgaryFollow
Claudia Fichtel, German Primate CenterFollow
Lydia M. Hopper, Georgia State UniversityFollow
Mary Catherine Mareno, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Odile Petit, Universite de StrasbourgFollow
Anna Viktoria Schnoell, Courant Research CenterFollow
Eugenia Polizzi di Sorrentino, Unit of Cognitive Primatology and Primate CenterFollow
Bernard Thierry, Universite de StrasbourgFollow
Barbara Tiddi, Cognitive Ethology LaboratoryFollow
Cédric Sueur, Universie de StrasbourgFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2014

Abstract

Network optimality has been described in genes, proteins and human communicative networks. In the latter, optimality leads to the efficient transmission of information with a minimum number of connections. Whilst studies show that differences in centrality exist in animal networks with central individuals having higher fitness, network efficiency has never been studied in animal groups. Here we studied 78 groups of primates (24 species).We found that group size and neocortex ratio were correlated with network efficiency. Centralisation (whether several individuals are central in the group) and modularity (how a group is clustered) had opposing effects on network efficiency, showing that tolerant species have more efficient networks. Such network properties affecting individual fitness could be shaped by natural selection. Our results are in accordance with the social brain and cultural intelligence hypotheses, which suggest that the importance of network efficiency and information flow through social learning relates to cognitive abilities.

Comments

Originally Published in:

Sci Rep, 4 7600. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep07600

Recommended Citation

Pasquaretta, C. et al. Social networks in primates: smart and tolerant species have more efficient networks. Sci. Rep. 4, 7600; http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep07600 (2014).

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.