The baby hyena inherits the mother's social position

A group of scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in Berlin, Germany and the University of Sheffield, UK, found the answer to the question of how the commune position The congregation is inherited in the population of one of the most complex social mammals - the spotted hyena.

In a study published online in Behavioral Ecology, scientists based on observations over the last 20 years about rare feeding cases in hyenas in Serengeti and Ngorongoro in Tanzania combined with the The most advanced molecular technique to identify genetic mother hyenas, thereby showing that the mother tongue transmits its social status by supporting young children in social interactions with other members of the group. .

In the social and human society of many other animals, status is decisive. It specifies the path to access to resources, survival and reproduction success. Professor Heribert Hofer of IZW said: 'In highly developed mammalian societies, such as spotted hyenas, social status is even more important than environmental factors, enemies or germs. disease, deciding success or reproduction '. As a result, hyenas and parents try to pass on their social status. This succession can be observed in many mammals, including many primates and spotted hyenas.

Scientists have shown that mother hyenas pass on social status to their children by supporting their children in social interactions with other members of the group. (Photo: iStockphoto)

Dr. Marion East of IZW said: 'In spotted hyenas, the mother hyena replaces the young baby right after it is born. The 'adopted' hyena will have a certain level when it matures or equals the position of 'adoptive mother'. In contrast, the position of the 'adopted child' is not related to the position of the genetic mother. This is consistent with the view that support in the behavior of the mother will decide to inherit '.

The results of the study contradict two previous hypotheses. These two hypotheses explain the inheritance of the social mammal status as follows: (i) the mother can pass on the gene so that her descendants are as competitive as it is; (ii) the position of the mother can determine the concentration of male hormones that the fetus is exposed to, which makes the offspring more competitive as a mother. Dr. Oliver Höner said: 'These hypotheses predict that there exists a relationship between the status of the adopted child and the status of the genetic mother, but we have not found any evidence for the relationship. there'.

Research shows that in spotted hyenas, young children learn during the growing period when their mother helps them win profits in the competition before the members of their subordinates. As they mature, they protect this position and benefit from its impact by social superiority providing benefits in hyena society. They will have the benefits associated with their status.

Refer:
East et al.Maternal effects on offspring social status in spotted hyenas.Behavioral Ecology, 2009;DOI: 10.1093 / beheco / arp020