Selective mimetism at departure in collective movements of Macaca tonkeana: an experimental and theoretical approach

Authored by C. Sueur, O. Petit, J. L. Deneubourg

Date Published: 2009-11

DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.07.029

Sponsors: European Doctoral College of Strasbourg Universities French Research Ministry (EGIDE) French Foreign Ministry

Platforms: NetLogo

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

In primates, authors have reported the specific organization of individuals during collective movements. Some authors have suggested that intentional mechanisms underlie this particular organization because primates have high cognitive abilities that can allow them to use this kind of behaviour. However, mechanisms underlying the emergence of complex systems are not necessarily complex and can be based on local rules. We investigated the joining processes observed during collective movements in one semifree-ranging group of Tonkean macaques, using an individualized agent-based model. The complex patterns observed, such as departure latencies, associations and order of individuals at departure of a collective movement, could be explained using a rule based on affiliative relationships. The decision an individual took to join the movement depended on the departure of its strongly affiliated individuals. Thus even in primates, complex collective behaviour may emerge from interactions between individuals following local behavioural rules. (C) 2009 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tags

Agent-based model Decision Making self-organization Consensus kinship Affiliation Macaca tonkeana Primates Tonkean macaque