This project studies the role of ecological and social factors in shaping social organizing relationships in fission-fusion ungulate societies. Current models of fission- fusion societies focus either on examining preferential associations between individuals or on examining factors that determine group size and its correlation with group size variations. Individual relationships are still not completely understood. A novel model for analyzing individual relationships incorporating key ecological and social drivers (i.e. forage, water, predators and bachelor males) together with female internal state is used to predict rules for associations between individuals. The consequences of these individual decisions for population level association and dispersion patterns are also explored. The predictions derived from this framework will be tested using ecological and behavioral data from two endangered Equids: Grevys zebra (Equus grevyi) and Asiatic Wild Asses (Equus hemionus) at four sites. Both species have similar morphology, physiology and social systems. The four sites provide natural variation in ecological and social factors and serve as an ideal system for exploring the predictions of our model. The broader impacts of the study include educational activities about the value of ecological and behavioral data for lay public, students and forest managers, and improvement of conservation strategies for endangered Equids.
