Conclusions and research agendas

Abstract

Current state of knowledge regarding the biology of traditions What is the biological importance of social learning and traditions to the animals? Recently, biologists have become aware that social learning may play a pivotal role in the behavioral biology and evolution of many animal species. Animals may alter their environments in such a way that they create new selective pressures for the next generation; in other words, they take an active role in shaping the environments that determine the course of their species' evolution (Avital and Jablonka, 2000; Laland, Odling-Smee and Feldman, 2000; Pulliam, 2000; see Ch. 12 for examples of ways in which nonhuman primates may construct their niches). Nevertheless, there are astonishingly few data, particularly from the field, regarding the prevalence of traditions in nature and the fitness consequences of engaging in social learning or practicing particular traditions. Consequently, modelers continue to rely heavily on thought experiments and hypothetical examples to convince readers of the logic of their arguments (e.g., Avital and Jablonka, 2000). Currently, there are very few species and behavioral domains for which the topic of traditions has been thoroughly addressed (i.e., with adequate methodology to assess the role of social learning) in the wild, and we know little about the biological importance of social learning in nature. There are, no doubt, taxonomic biases regarding which species and topics have been targeted for study (e.g., biologists regularly look for tool use in primates and vocal traditions in birds).

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