Comparative Trends of Sociality Among Terrestrial Carnivores: A Multivariate Analysis

ABSTRACT Among the order Carnivora, there is variation in the extent to which species form social groups. Typically, such variation is often studied in the context of a single variable that may impact behavior. However, the multiple interacting processes that drive plastic behaviors such as sociality and space use are likely to operate over multiple temporal and spatial scales. To quantify the relative impacts of different drivers requires an integration of the different processes across the scales at which they operate. Here we use piecewise structural equation modeling (piecewise SEM) to quantify the direct and indirect impacts of variables on behaviors including social grouping, reproduction, and space use. We analyze the role of phylogeny, environment, and community structure on sociality. Home range, social group size, and diet were shown to be most strongly influenced by life history variables, whereas reproductive output was most strongly impacted by variation in the environment.