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Association networks reveal social organization in the sleepy lizard
Citation
Leu, ST and Bashford, J and Kappeler, PM and Bull, CM, Association networks reveal social organization in the sleepy lizard , Animal Behaviour, 79, (1) pp. 217-225. ISSN 0003-3472 (2010) [Refereed Article]
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DOI: doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.11.002
Abstract
We investigated the social organization of the Australian sleepy lizard, Tiliqua rugosa, by describing the
social network of a local population. We attached activity meters and GPS recorders to 21 neighbouring
lizards in a semiarid site in South Australia, and monitored their location every 10 min over 3 months
(September-December 2007). From over 5000 sets of synchronized location records we calculated
distances between all possible dyads of active lizards, and constructed binary social networks based on
close associations between individuals. We compared empirical networks with a null model network for
spatially structured populations that assumed random movement within lizard home ranges. We
showed significantly lower network degree (i.e. fewer cases of individuals associating) in the observed
network than in the null model, and deduced avoidance between some individuals. We found the
predominant form of social organization was pair living, and, contrary to previous reports, we found pair
associations persisted after mating had finished. Thus, the network analysis revealed a cryptic social
organization, which cannot be explained by either biparental care or mate guarding, but may instead
relate to refuge site distributions, enhanced vigilance or efficient location of mates in subsequent
seasons.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | association, network, pair living, sleepy lizard, social organization, Tiliqua rugosa |
Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Ecology |
Research Field: | Behavioural ecology |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments |
Objective Field: | Assessment and management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems |
UTAS Author: | Bashford, J (Dr James Bashford) |
ID Code: | 63297 |
Year Published: | 2010 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 52 |
Deposited By: | Zoology |
Deposited On: | 2010-04-27 |
Last Modified: | 2013-02-06 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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