The emergence and maintenance of animal societies 

Social relationships influence individual fitness, shape group structure and play a fundamental role in the organisation of animal societies in a wide range of animals, including humans. Social relationships emerge from interactions among individuals; however, the mechanisms that allow these relationships to emerge and be maintained are still not fully understood. I use guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) to experimentally explore the dynamics of social-bond formation, social integration and structural adjustment. I will present the results of these experiments and describe the social relationships of guinea pigs and how they deal with induced social instability. My results can provide insights into the maintenance and evolution of social structure.