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Behavioural processes2013; 103; 91-101; doi: 10.1016/j.beproc.2013.10.007

Movement initiation in groups of feral horses.

Abstract: Herds of ungulates, flocks of birds, swarms of insects and schools of fish move in coordinated groups. Computer models show that only one or very few animals are needed to initiate and direct movement. To investigate initiation mechanisms further, we studied two ways in which movement can be initiated in feral horses: herding, and departure from the group. We examined traits affecting the likelihood of a horse initiating movement i.e. social rank, affiliative relationships, spatial position, and social network. We also investigated whether group members join a movement in dominance rank order. Our results show that whereas herding is exclusive to alpha males, any group member may initiate movement by departure. Social bonds, the number of animals interacted with, and the spatial position were not significantly associated with movement initiation. We did not find movement initiation by departure to be exclusive to any type of individual. Instead we find evidence for a limited form of distributed leadership, with higher ranking animals being followed more often.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-11-09 PubMed ID: 24220794DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2013.10.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article explores the mechanisms behind movement initiation in groups of feral horses, with key findings indicating that while herding is exclusive to alpha males, any member of the group can initiate movement through departure. Further, social bonds, spatial positions, and the number of interactions had no significant influence on movement initiation.

Investigating Initiation Mechanisms

  • The researchers studied two primary ways that movement can be initiated among feral horses — through herding and departure from the group. The intention was to delve deeper into the mechanisms that dictate the commencement of movement in animal groups.

Traits Affecting the Likelihood of Movement Initiation

  • The study also examined specific traits that might influence the likelihood of a horse initiating movement. These traits included the animal’s social rank, its affiliative relationships or social bonds, its spatial position within the group, and its social network.

Joining Movement in Dominance Rank Order

  • One of the other aspects the researchers investigated was whether group members join a movement in the order of their dominance rank. This aimed at understanding if social hierarchy plays a role in decision-making within the group.

Key Findings

  • The research shows that herding as an initiation of movement is typically exclusive to alpha males within the horse group.
  • Interestingly, any group member, irrespective of their social rank or affiliative relationships, can initiate movement by departing from the group.
  • The positions of the horses within the group, their social bonds, and the number of animals they interacted with were found to have no significant association with movement initiation.
  • Rather than finding movement initiation by departure to be specific to particular individuals, the study found evidence supporting a limited form of distributed leadership, where higher-ranking animals were followed more often.

Cite This Article

APA
Krueger K, Flauger B, Farmer K, Hemelrijk C. (2013). Movement initiation in groups of feral horses. Behav Processes, 103, 91-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2013.10.007

Publication

Behavioural processes
ISSN: 1872-8308
NlmUniqueID: 7703854
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 103
Pages: 91-101
PII: S0376-6357(13)00222-2

Researcher Affiliations

Krueger, Konstanze
  • University of Regensburg, Biologie 1, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany. Electronic address: Konstanze.Krueger@hfwu.de.
Flauger, Birgit
  • University of Regensburg, Biologie 1, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Farmer, Kate
  • Centre for Social Learning & Cognitive Evolution, School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland KY16 9JP, UK.
Hemelrijk, Charlotte
  • Behavioural Ecology and Selforganization, University of Groningen, Centre for Life Sciences, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG GRONINGEN, The Netherlands.

MeSH Terms

  • Agonistic Behavior
  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / physiology
  • Female
  • Grooming
  • Hierarchy, Social
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Object Attachment
  • Social Behavior

Citations

This article has been cited 20 times.
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