Animal social networks: Towards an integrative framework embedding social interactions, space and time

Social groups take a myriad of forms, reflecting the countless different ways in which animals can interact and associate (Wilson, 2000). This diversity calls for broad dynamic toolkit that is both robust allowing rigorous quantification societies but also flexible its ability to account control nuances associated with each ecological system. Since Sade (1972) first used social network analysis study heterogeneity affiliative interactions primates their relationship dominance rank, this approach has been considerably developed exploration hypothesis testing aspects animal (Brent, Lehmann, & Ramos-Fernández, 2011; Hasenjager et al., 2020; Hinde, 1976). Over last 50 years, grown into diverse transcends behaviour ecology biologists understand many facets sociality, from mechanistic processes evolutionary functions (Cantor Sosa 2020). For example, Bejder, Fletcher, Bräger (1998) proposed advanced permutation techniques examine spatial associations between individuals, Croft, James, Krause (2008) together Whitehead aggregated most our knowledge on sociality seminal books. The growth popularity favoured by methodological advances (Whitehead, 2008), automated monitoring (Smith Pinter-Wollman, 2020) have played significant role scaling up research questions new previously intractable species systems. Using these tools data collection further engaged lively community researchers that, together, contributed near constant refinement evolution methods application animals. Joint Special Feature Methods Ecology Evolution Journal Animal celebration scientists, introducing novel pertaining Network Analysis (ASNA). It brings highlights developments computational methods, considerations about bias ASNA, factors shaping individuals group structure how networks vary under environments. In doing so, we believe offers exciting directions future better cope complexity structures. Few wild biological analytical are immune biases inflicted specifics sampling protocols or organisms. Consequently, an important challenge ASNA studies need consider robustness current approaches. joint Feature, al. (2020) measures variants, highlight necessity state variant as may skew interpretation results. Once measure selected, taking care avoid multiple (Webber, Schneider, Vander Wal, 2020), it essential ensure reliability statistical tests. Puga-Gonzalez 2020 outline limitations approaches extend scenarios, Franks offer solutions spurious results call greater emphasis effect sizes means making reliable inference. Together, three underline continued caution when developing interpreting continuously being refined improved (Franks Weiss will efforts keep improving existing address multitude remaining issues, such appropriateness measures, rates type I II errors standard null hypothesis-testing procedures, finding measuring sizes. With mind, continue be presented, challenges accurate estimates trait heritability (Radersma, drivers movement (Milner apply collected using mark-release-recapture (Silk biologging (Gilbertson Gomes miniaturisation devices now enable wider variety organisms, insects cetaceans (Börger Biologging provides access sources, less invasive continuous collection, expanding behave These advances, however, led substantial shift construction (Godfrey, Ansari, Gardner, Farine, Bull, 2014; Spiegel, Leu, Sih, 2016). One specific tackles determine cut-offs while delimiting and, thereby, providing procedure building proximity-based association through radio frequency identification detection. Research focused phenotypic attributes environmental shape individual traits consequences fitness Ruiz-Lambides, Platt, 2017; Silk 2009, 2010), (Balasubramaniam 2017). Studies highlighted range age (Almeling, Hammerschmidt, Sennhenn-Reulen, Freund, Fischer, 2016), sex (Borgeaud, Sosa, Sueur, Bshary, 2017), kinship (Hirsch, Stanton, Maldonado, 2012), personality (Krause, pathogens (Romano 2016) etc. (see Cantor overview). Here, Brandl provide good example might interlink showing synchrony reproductive timing present bonds. Although ecologists extensively explored effects variation physical environment development population dynamics, remain overlooked (Spiegel, Webber 2018), see (Moscovice, Aureli, Space use often implicated strongly influencing constrains time (Webber 2018). As result, space represents dimension processes, disease spread (Albery A particular focus habitat constraints movements Milner Pasquaretta addition, few investigated multivariate (Brandell Brandell relative influence factors, biotic interactions, infectious composition two carnivores. Such considerable interest and/or host pathogen species–species assemblages (Massol presented Massol help complex related processes. plastic aspect can, regulate conflicts (Aureli de Waal, 2000), create bonds (De Waal Roosmalen, 1979), cooperate (Seyfarth Cheney, transmit information learn (Hoppitt Laland, 2013). allows them living environment. There growing evidence eco-evolutionary feedback (social) Romano, Macintosh, Smolla Akçay, 2019; Puga-Gonzalez, Udiani Fefferman, adjust response challenges, external inherent relationships, within context own networks, increase increasingly integrating concept plasticity, degree varies dependent upon factors. not only exploring mechanisms driving understanding plasticity manifests at level (Ilany 2016; Montiglio, McGlothlin, changes demographic (Borgeaud made possible thanks part time-aggregated (Hobson, Avery, Wright, 2013) specialised packages exist (Bonnell Vilette, Several explore addressing, allow (Farine, shaped (Dakin conditions (Burns inter-group encounters overall (Preston there numerous extrinsic intrinsic drive dynamism. Similarly, past established affects (Brent Formica show condition-dependent Turner (show types according ontogenetic stages. dynamics well explain gene flow (Zonana integrate environments live studying responsible emergence, maintenance selection (Vander 2021). At heart link habitat, pressing acknowledgement inhabiting world impacted anthropogenic-driven disturbances. change (Bond major question broader address. Do consistent way? Bond test communities giraffes human disturbance, revealing signature matches those detected small captive birds exposed disturbances (Maldonado-Chaparro, Alarcón-Nieto, Klarevas-Irby, humans wildlife share space, technologies citizen scientists collect record grouping (Aplin no doubt prove invaluable anticipating what extent populations affected during Anthropocene. so carefully optimised reduce impact welfare. Thus, adaptations must mindful align changing ethical landscape (Soulsbury We unprecedented amounts including, biologged physiological measurements, remotely sensed variables heterospecific behaviour. Importantly, span (e.g. physiological, ontogenesis) climate, parasites, other groups) over time. Contributions insight sharpening picture various involved plasticity. Figure 1 comprehensive view levels organisation embedded is, structure, dynamics. hope serve basis identifying come order interaction across Jacoby Freeman, Sueur 2019). particularly promising line multi-layered (Fisher Mourier, Ledee, Jacoby, Silk, Finn, Porter, hierarchically (Montiglio, Gotanda, Kratochwil, Laskowski, bipartite expand beyond groups, spanning cells whole ecosystems, instance, analyse host-microbiota networks. method considers assesses structures species. adapted connectivity could multifactorial embedding pollinators, patterns pollen flow, plants, potentially revolutionising pollination predictive models (Pasquaretta Considerable progress since (Sade, 1972) were (Bejder 1998). reflective milestones reached years presenting redefine standards covering topics transmission, epidemiology, quantitative genetics, consequences, applied conservation. enables phenomena, still much done build bridges disciplines. strengthen, they potential inform global events (Firth Opening dialog disciplines holistic frameworks embed time, (Sah, Méndez, Bansal, 2019) (Kappeler, Clutton-Brock, Shultz, Lukas, Garroway, Sheldon, 2012). grateful all editors MEE JAE managing manuscripts submitted special feature. appreciated suggestions Damien Farine Eric Wal throughout editorial process. wish thank Associate Editors reviewing Feature: Samantha Patrick, Bethany Hoye, Isabella Cattadori, Audrey Dussutour, Laura Graham, Jenny Dunn, Julie Morand-Ferron, Carolyn Kurle, Rachel McCrea, Natalie Clay, Timothée Poisot, David Soto, Daniel Stouffer, Garrett Street. finally authors who participated call.