Social networks in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata).
Social network theory is used to elicit details of the social structure of a population of free-ranging guppies, Poecilia reticulata. They were found to have a complex and highly structured social network, which exhibited characteristics consistent with the 'small world' phenomenon. Stable partner associations between individuals were observed, a finding that fulfils the basic prerequisite for the evolution of reciprocal altruism. The findings are discussed in relation to the ecology and evolution of the wild population, highlighting the potential application of network theory to social associations in animals.
Croft
Darren P
DP
School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. darren_croft@hotmail.com
Krause
Jens
J
James
Richard
R
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D011036:Poecilia / Q000502:physiology*; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago