TY - JOUR
T1 - Social networks in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
AU - Croft, D P
AU - Krause, J
AU - James, Richard
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2004.0206
U2 - 10.1098/rsbl.2004.0206
DO - 10.1098/rsbl.2004.0206
M3 - Article
VL - 271
SP - S516-S519
JO - Philosophical transactions B: Biological Sciences
JF - Philosophical transactions B: Biological Sciences
SN - 0962-8436
IS - Suppl_6
ER -