BatesByrne BL final.pdf (46.15 kB)
African elephants have expectations about the locations of out-of-sight family members
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 14:54 authored by Lucy Bates, Katito N Sayialel, Norah W Njiraini, Joyce H Poole, Cynthia J Moss, Richard W ByrneMonitoring the location of conspecifics may be important to social mammals. Here we use an expectancy-violation paradigm to test the ability of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) to keep track of their social companions from olfactory cues. We presented elephants with samples of earth mixed with urine from female conspecifics that were either kin or unrelated to them, and either unexpected or highly predictable at that location. From behavioural measurements of the elephants’ reactions, we show that African elephants can recognize up to 17 female family members from cues present in the urine-earth mix, and that they keep track of the location of these individuals in relation to themselves.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Biology LettersISSN
1744-9561Publisher
Royal Society, TheExternal DOI
Issue
1Volume
4Page range
34-36Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-09-05First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-09-05First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-09-04Usage metrics
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