Importance of a species’ socioecology: Wolves outperform dogs in a conspecific cooperation task

摘要: Abstract A number of domestication hypotheses suggest that dogs have acquired a more tolerant temperament than wolves, promoting cooperative interactions with humans and conspecifics. This selection process has been proposed to resemble the one responsible for our own greater inclinations in comparison closest living relatives. However, socioecology wolves dogs, former relying heavily on activities, predicts at least conspecifics, should cooperate better dogs. Here we tested similarly raised string-pulling task conspecifics found outperformed despite comparable levels interest task. Whereas coordinated their actions so as simultaneously pull rope ends, leading success, pulled ropes alternate moments, thereby never succeeding. Indeed dog dyads it was also less likely both members engaged other manipulative behaviors apparatus. Different conflict-management strategies are these results, dogs’ avoidance potential competition over apparatus constraining capacity coordinate actions. Wolves, contrast, did not hesitate manipulate simultaneously, once cooperation initiated, rapidly learned complex conditions well. Social dynamics (rank affiliation) played key role success rates. Results call those evolved into question, rather support idea wolves’ different social ecologies affecting conspecific communication.