Behavioral laterality in Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

Reuven Yosef, Sharon Faitzvaig, Jakub Z. Kosicki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

From a behavioral adaptation perspective, lateralization in gregarious species likely evolved to maintain cohesiveness among individuals, particularly in behaviors related to social life that require higher levels of cognitive capabilities. Thus, we hypothesized that motor coordination (lateralization) would be observed at the population level rather than at the individual level. To test this hypothesis, we studied population-level laterality in a wild population of Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) during the winter in Eilat, Israel. In November and December 2019, we recorded 176 behaviors in 220 flamingos, observing four behaviors: 'At rest,' 'Vigilant,' 'Scratching,' and 'Preening'. The laterality indices for 'At rest' and 'Vigilant' were similar to those of ambidextrous simulated populations, indicating that these behaviors were not lateralized. However, 'Preening' and 'Scratching' were significantly left-lateralized. We conclude that at the population level, the symmetry of these behaviors results from flock pressure to coordinate population-level behaviors. Furthermore, the mechanism of lateralization is characteristic not only of the local population but of the entire species sensu stricto.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)247-251
Number of pages5
JournalIsrael Journal of Ecology and Evolution
Volume70
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2024

Keywords

  • Eilat
  • Greater Flamingo
  • behavior
  • laterality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Animal Science and Zoology

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