Mortality risk and social network position in resident killer whales: sex differences and the importance of resource abundance.
Proc Biol Sci
; 284(1865)2017 Oct 25.
Article
de En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29070720
ABSTRACT
An individual's ecological environment affects their mortality risk, which in turn has fundamental consequences for life-history evolution. In many species, social relationships are likely to be an important component of an individual's environment, and therefore their mortality risk. Here, we examine the relationship between social position and mortality risk in resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) using over three decades of social and demographic data. We find that the social position of male, but not female, killer whales in their social unit predicts their mortality risk. More socially integrated males have a significantly lower risk of mortality than socially peripheral males, particularly in years of low prey abundance, suggesting that social position mediates access to resources. Male killer whales are larger and require more resources than females, increasing their vulnerability to starvation in years of low salmon abundance. More socially integrated males are likely to have better access to social information and food-sharing opportunities which may enhance their survival in years of low salmon abundance. Our results show that observable variation in the social environment is linked to variation in mortality risk, and highlight how sex differences in social effects on survival may be linked to sex differences in life-history evolution.
Mots clés
Texte intégral:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Base de données:
MEDLINE
Sujet principal:
Dominance sociale
/
Mortalité
/
Orque épaulard
Type d'étude:
Etiology_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limites:
Animals
Pays/Région comme sujet:
America do norte
Langue:
En
Journal:
Proc Biol Sci
Sujet du journal:
BIOLOGIA
Année:
2017
Type de document:
Article
Pays d'affiliation:
Royaume-Uni