VMBO Year 3 · Behaviour · Section 8.5

Division of tasks within groups

Dominance hierarchies

In many social animals, relationships form a dominance hierarchy. Some individuals have priority over others in particular situations, such as access to food. Established relationships can reduce repeated conflict, although they do not remove all competition.

A familiar example is the pecking order in chickens. A higher-ranking bird may gain access to resources through signals or threats rather than fighting each time. Dominance is a relationship between individuals, not always evidence of a single leader directing the group.

Rankings can change

Ranks may change over time. In chimpanzees, for example, physical strength is only one influence. Alliances, cooperation, experience and social relationships can affect an individual's position. Hierarchies can also be more complicated than one simple ordered list.

Division of tasks

Division of labour means different group members perform different activities. This can make group activity more efficient and improve protection or food collection.

• In meerkats, some individuals act as sentinels while others forage; roles can change.
• In honeybees, workers perform tasks such as caring for larvae and collecting food, often changing tasks with age or colony needs.
• In ants, roles can include foraging, caring for young or defence. The organisation differs between species.

Why divide tasks?

Group members do not all have to perform every activity at the same time. Different roles can allow simultaneous feeding, defence and care. The division may be flexible or linked to age, body form and reproductive status, depending on the species.