The use of multilayer network analysis in animal behaviour

Kelly R. Finn, Matthew J. Silk, Mason A. Porter, Noa Pinter-Wollman*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Network analysis has driven key developments in research on animal behaviour by providing quantitative methods to study the social structures of animal groups and populations. A recent formalism, known as multilayer network analysis, has advanced the study of multifaceted networked systems in many disciplines. It offers novel ways to study and quantify animal behaviour through connected ‘layers’ of interactions. In this article, we review common questions in animal behaviour that can be studied using a multilayer approach, and we link these questions to specific analyses. We outline the types of behavioural data and questions that may be suitable to study using multilayer network analysis. We detail several multilayer methods, which can provide new insights into questions about animal sociality at individual, group, population and evolutionary levels of organization. We give examples for how to implement multilayer methods to demonstrate how taking a multilayer approach can alter inferences about social structure and the positions of individuals within such a structure. Finally, we discuss caveats to undertaking multilayer network analysis in the study of animal social networks, and we call attention to methodological challenges for the application of these approaches. Our aim is to instigate the study of new questions about animal sociality using the new toolbox of multilayer network analysis
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7-22
Number of pages16
JournalAnimal Behaviour
Volume149
Early online date5 Feb 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Behavioural dynamics
  • Centrality
  • Collective behaviour
  • Fission-fusion
  • Group-living
  • Levels of organization
  • Multilayer network analysis
  • Quantitative methods
  • Social behaviour
  • Social network analysis

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