Social tipping points in animal societies

摘要: Animal social groups are complex systems that likely to exhibit tipping points-which defined as drastic shifts in the dynamics of arise from small changes environmental conditions-yet this concept has not been carefully applied these systems. Here, we summarize concepts behind points and describe instances which they occur animal societies. We also offer ways study can open up new lines inquiry behavioural ecology generate novel questions, methods, approaches behaviour other fields, including community ecosystem ecology. While some behaviours living hard predict, argue probing across societies tiers biological organization-populations, communities, ecosystems-may help reveal principles transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.