Evolutionary origins of sociality: understanding how changes in food availability affect group fissioning in primates

ended

"The evolution of sociality is a key question in behavioural ecology, with certain forms of social organization, like fission-fusion (FF) dynamics, still debated. FF dynamics, where groups split into smaller sub-groups, are thought to evolve in response to fluctuations in resource availability to reduce food competition and travel costs. However, comprehensive multi-site and multi-species studies linking FF dynamics to RA are lacking. The ""Ecological determinants of Sociality"" (ECO-SOC) project aims to fill this gap by analyzing long-term datasets of FF dynamics in orangutans, because of their unique individual-based FF organization. In addition, ECO-SOC will further extend this approach to encompass long-term existing datasets of at least ten FF primate taxa. Using advanced Bayesian regression methods, the project will identify general patterns and variability within and between species, enhancing our understanding of the evolution of FF dynamics. One clear strength of ECO-SOC is its integration of existing datasets, mitigating the risks and environmental costs associated with long-term fieldwork. This research has important conservation implications, particularly for wild FF primates living outside protected areas. Understanding their social responses to RA will aid behavior-based management and the protection of key food resources. Additionally, the findings can improve zoo housing guidelines for FF species, which are often kept in permanent groups which deviates from their natural social behaviour. Thus, ECO-SOC will help identify species that need more naturalistic housing conditions to promote welfare. Through ECO-SOC, I will apply modern statistical methods on long-term datasets, develop a theoretical framework, and engage in dissemination targeting the public, zoo managers, and young Indonesian conservationists, among others. Altogether, ECO-SOC contributes to 6 UN Sustainable Development Goals through its scientific and societal impact. "