Syracuse

The effect of social networks on social learning strategies in wild vervet monkeys

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Canteloup, Charlotte | Hoppitt, William | Sueur, Cédric | van de Waal, Erica

Edité par CCSD -

International audience. This project aims to determine whether social networks can predict social transmission of new foraging techniques in wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus). With this aim, we will focus on "who strategies" by identifying which relationships can predict the observation of other individuals. In other words, we want to know who copies whom. Are successful, reputable, close friends, related individuals, older individuals or high-ranking individuals considered as preferred models? To answer this question, we will lead two different experiments: i) an open diffusion experiment in which several identical puzzle boxes with two different opening ways will be simultaneously proposed to two different groups of vervet monkeys and ii) a novel food experiment in which new food items (e.g. peanuts) will be proposed to the subjects. Social networks analyses will be used to describe and visualize social networks and a pioneering new model-fitting approach named Network Based Diffusion Analysis will allow us to assess the role of relationships in the spread of a new foraging behaviour. Given that the project is currently underway, only the methods we will use will be presented. This project has the great interest to combine field experiment and powerful Social Network Analyses that will allow us to shed new light on the evolution of culture.

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