Long-lasting, kin-directed female interactions in a spatially structured wild boar social network

PLoS One. 2014 Jun 11;9(6):e99875. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099875. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Individuals can increase inclusive fitness benefits through a complex network of social interactions directed towards kin. Preferential relationships with relatives lead to the emergence of kin structures in the social system. Cohesive social groups of related individuals and female philopatry of wild boar create conditions for cooperation through kin selection and make the species a good biological model for studying kin structures. Yet, the role of kinship in shaping the social structure of wild boar populations is still poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated spatio-temporal patterns of associations and the social network structure of the wild boar Sus scrofa population in Białowieża National Park, Poland, which offered a unique opportunity to understand wild boar social interactions away from anthropogenic factors. We used a combination of telemetry data and genetic information to examine the impact of kinship on network cohesion and the strength of social bonds. Relatedness and spatial proximity between individuals were positively related to the strength of social bond. Consequently, the social network was spatially and genetically structured with well-defined and cohesive social units. However, spatial proximity between individuals could not entirely explain the association patterns and network structure. Genuine, kin-targeted, and temporarily stable relationships of females extended beyond spatial proximity between individuals while males interactions were short-lived and not shaped by relatedness. The findings of this study confirm the matrilineal nature of wild boar social structure and show how social preferences of individuals translate into an emergent socio-genetic population structure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology*
  • Female
  • Genetics, Population
  • Group Structure
  • Male
  • Models, Biological
  • Poland
  • Sus scrofa / genetics
  • Sus scrofa / physiology*
  • Telemetry

Grants and funding

The study was funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (grant number NN304 253935), the budget of the Mammal Research Institute PAS, and BIOCONSUS project (Research Potential in Conservation and Sustainable Management of Biodiversity, 7th Framework Programme contract no. 245737, FP7/2009-2014). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.