The ecology and evolution of intergroup conflict in animal societies: theory and tests

The history of life on earth has been dominated by a series of cooperative transitions in biological organisation, in which lower-level entities have banded together to form higher-level cooperative groups. The evolution of cooperation creates opportunities for productive coordination and teamwork within groups, but also the potential for destructive conflict and violence between groups. Humans, for example, are capable of astonishing feats of altruism and cooperation, but are at once among the most murderous and violent animals we know. In other animals there is great variation in the intensity and form of intergroup conflict, but we have a very poor understanding of the causes of this variation. The link between intergroup conflict and cooperation is also unclear: in some species intergroup conflict leads to greater social cohesion, whereas in other species it leads to greater within-group aggression.

Our project combines new theory and empirical testing to explain these conflicting observations and to advance conceptual understanding of the biological roots of intergroup conflict. Our theoretical models will predict the ecological and social factors that promote or inhibit intergroup aggression, and how individuals and groups should respond to changes in levels of intergroup conflict. We will carry out the first tests of these models on an ideally suited wild mammal system, the banded mongoose Mungos mungo, which we have studied for 20 years at site in Uganda. Banded mongooses live in highly cooperative, territorial groups which engage in frequent intergroup fights. Intergroup aggression is more severe in banded mongooses than in meerkats, chimpanzees, or any other non-human mammal. Yet there is also great individual and group variation in levels of intergroup aggression, providing an opportunity to test our theoretical predictions using experiments and long-term observations.

The research will provide a better understanding of patterns of competition in nature, and clarify the link between intergroup conflict and cooperation. We will leave a testable theoretical framework that can be applied to a very wide range of species, from microbes to humans. The project will be of much interdisciplinary interest, with the potential to influence future research in evolution, psychology, economics and political science.

Who will benefit from this research?
A major group of beneficiaries is other academics, with whom we will engage via standard science communication activities (publishing our research in interdisciplinary and high profile journals, presenting scientific seminars, attending conferences). Our research topic has broad cross-disciplinary relevance so we will actively seek engagement with economists, psychologists, and political scientists working on intergroup conflict in human society.

In addition, the main non-academic beneficiaries from the proposed research will be 1) the general public, secondary teachers and their students; and 2) the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Uganda Tourist Board.

How will they benefit
We will contribute to an improved conceptual understanding of an issue that is of great interdisciplinary interest in academia, and great topical interest for most people. Researchers in economics, psychology and political science will benefit from a tested theoretical framework that is capable of predicting adaptive behavioural responses to changes in the ecological and social environment. While our research is largely curiosity-driven, our findings and theoretical work will have relevance and influence in these disciplines that link directly to societal policy and strategy.

The topic and research subjects are of intrinsic interest to the general public, and we aim to capitalise on this interest to improve the public understanding of science. The general public, teachers and their students will benefit through education, international cultural exchange, and engagement with scientific research.

The project teach has long-standing relations with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Uganda Tourist board who will benefit from through the information exchange aspects of the project, and the interest in our project from international wildlife filmmakers. Our media and knowledge sharing activities will help to promote ecotourism and investment in Uganda's protected areas, and increase local and international awareness of the value of Uganda's natural resources.

Finally, the project team including the early career researchers (the RCo-I and PDRA) will benefit from developing new skills and experience with outreach and engagement with beneficiaries of the research, which will enhance career development.