Work

A Novel Mechanism for a Survival Advantage of Vigilant Individuals in Groups

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: In many animal species, vigilance is crucial for avoiding predation. In groups, however, nonvigilant individuals could benefit from the vigilance of others without any of the associated costs. In an evolutionary sense, such exploitation may be compensated if vigilant individuals have a survival advantage. The novelty in our model is that the probability to detect a predator is "distance dependent." We show that even if nonvigilant individuals benefit fully from information produced by vigilant individuals, vigilant individuals nevertheless enjoy a survival advantage. This happens because detection of predators is more likely when vigilant individuals happen to be targets of predation. We expect this distance-dependent mechanism to be compatible with previously reported mechanisms.

Source: The American Naturalist

DOI: 10.1086/673298

Authors: Daniel J. van der Post, Harmen de Weerd, Rineke Verbrugge, Charlotte K. Hemelrijk

Institution: University of Groningen

Language: English

Topic: Animal Behavior and Reproduction

Subfield: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

Awards: Cognitive systems in interaction: Logical and computational models of higher-order social cognition, G725367278