The Influence of Food Distribution and Relatedness on the Social Behaviours and Proximities of Free-Roaming Cats (Felis silvestris catus)
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: Social behaviours serve many functions including conflict resolution and stabilizing group dynamics.Relatives may engage in more affiliative behaviours and be in frequent close proximity with each other.The distribution of food can increase intragroup competition and agonistic behaviours.I examined the influence of relatedness and food distribution on the social behaviour and proximity between free-roaming cats in a colony.To determine relatedness, individuals were genotyped at ten polymorphic microsatellite loci.Food was manipulated in dispersed and clumped treatments.Data included affiliative, agonistic and investigatory behaviours and the frequency of times cats were within 1 meter proximity to conspecifics.I compared behaviour/proximity data to relatedness data for each food treatment.Relatedness did not influence behaviour or proximity between conspecifics.Although food distribution did not influence behaviour or proximity between individuals within the entire colony, agonistic behaviours were influenced by the distribution of food at the subgroup level.
Author: Kristyn R. Vitale Shreve
Institution: Miami University
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2466842053