Triadic Closure in the Cohesive Clustering of Spotted Hyenas
Cohesive clustering is a phenomenon that not only occurs in human societies, but also the social network dynamics of non-human species such as spotted hyenas. Clustering can “facilitate efficient cooperation” and, in the case of animal species, “maximize fitness”. Based on a study done by the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis and Michigan State University, hyenas, an extremely socially sophisticated species, exploit this advantage by forming bonds with friends of their friends and following the rules of triadic closure, rather than forming bonds with every hyena in its clan. These animals consider other factors such as sex, social rank, and abundance of prey. However, forming and maintaining social bonds in triads is the most vital factor that influences the social dynamics of the spotted hyenas.
The theory of triadic closure is represented by three nodes A, B, and C, such that if a strong tie were to exist between A-B and A-C, there is a weak or strong tie between B-C. One example of this is if two people in a social network have a friend in common, then there is an increased likelihood that they will become friends themselves. Based on these observations, the spotted hyena seems to instinctively know the advantages of this sort of social bonding. Through this knowledge of how these creatures form lasting bonds in their social network, we can now better understand “cooperation patterns and the consequences of sociality in other species”, including humans.
Source: futurity.org/hyenas-social-networks-922882