University of Sussex
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Inhibition of optimal behavior by social transmission in the guppy depends on shoaling

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 14:03 authored by Lucy Bates, Jackie Chappell
Previous research has suggested social learning of foraging behavior can inhibit learning of the optimal behavior pattern. Based on their transmission chain design, we used small groups of guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to determine the degree to which the optimal behavior pattern was inhibited by socially learned information. A founder group was trained to take a long, energetically costly route to a food source. The members of this group were gradually replaced with naive conspecifics. Replicating the findings of the earlier researchers, it was clear that the behavior of the founders strongly influenced the behavior of the naive fish, probably through a process of local enhancement. When tested as a group, the naive fish chose the long route to the food source significantly more often than chance. Each naive fish was also tested in isolation. When tested alone, there was a significant tendency to choose the short route despite following the long route when tested as a group. These results suggest social learning does not inhibit learning of optimal behavior patterns but that a trade-off occurs when tested in the group condition. It is possible that the advantages for an individual fish of swimming with the shoal, and thus following the socially learned route, may have outweighed the potential energetic costs of taking this longer route. Key words: allelomimesis, guppies, local enhancement, maladaption, Poecilia reticulata, social transmission, trade-offs.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Behavioral Ecology

ISSN

1045-2249

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Issue

6

Volume

13

Page range

827-831

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-07-02

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-07-01

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC