Dynamics of collective motion across time and species

Papadopoulou, M., Fürtbauer, I., O'Bryan, L. R., Garnier, S., Georgopoulou, D. G., Bracken, A. M. , Christensen, C. and King, A. J. (2023) Dynamics of collective motion across time and species. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 378(1874), 20220068. (doi: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0068)

Abstract

Most studies of collective animal behaviour rely on short-term observations, and comparisons of collective behaviour across different species and contexts are rare. We therefore have a limited understanding of intra- and interspecific variation in collective behaviour over time, which is crucial if we are to understand the ecological and evolutionary processes that shape collective behaviour. Here, we study the collective motion of four species: shoals of stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus), flocks of homing pigeons (Columba livia), a herd of goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) and a troop of chacma baboons (Papio ursinus). First, we describe how local patterns (inter-neighbour distances and positions), and group patterns (group shape, speed and polarization) during collective motion differ across each system. Based on these, we place data from each species within a ‘swarm space’, affording comparisons and generating predictions about the collective motion across species and contexts. We encourage researchers to add their own data to update the ‘swarm space’ for future comparative work. Second, we investigate intraspecific variation in collective motion over time and provide guidance for researchers on when observations made over different time scales can result in confident inferences regarding species collective motion. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Collective behaviour through time’.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work is supported by an Office for Naval Research (ONR) Global Grant (grant no. N629092112030) awarded to A.J.K.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bracken, Dr Anna
• Authors: Papadopoulou, M., Fürtbauer, I., O'Bryan, L. R., Garnier, S., Georgopoulou, D. G., Bracken, A. M., Christensen, C., and King, A. J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
• Publisher: The Royal Society
• ISSN: 0962-8436
• ISSN (Online): 1471-2970
• Published Online: 20 February 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 378(1874):20220068
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License