Cooperation among species

[Mary Terry]

I recently watched a video posted in the Wall Street Journal about an American cardiologist and his sheepherding dog which he trains and works with every weekend on a sheep farm as his hobby and a method to reduce stress in his life and get some good exercise. I tried to post it here but apparently WSJ won't let me. Anyway, it struck me that three different species - dog, sheep and human - all worked together to accomplish a goal. Truly amazing.

 

[Rodafina]

Is it Dr. David Slotwiner?

Podcast: How My Dogs Taught Me to Be a Better Doctor

 

[Mary Terry]

Is it Dr. David Slotwiner?

Podcast: How My Dogs Taught Me to Be a Better Doctor

Yes! That's the one.

 

[TBRS1]

We have two cats and two dogs.

I consider them "voluntary symbiots," and constantly marvel at how well three different species can live happily together in relative harmony.

The dogs are pretty sure they keep us safe, and the cats handle to rural house mouse problem.

 

[Judge]

I recently watched a video posted in the Wall Street Journal about an American cardiologist and his sheepherding dog which he trains and works with every weekend on a sheep farm as his hobby and a method to reduce stress in his life and get some good exercise. I tried to post it here but apparently WSJ won't let me. Anyway, it struck me that three different species - dog, sheep and human - all worked together to accomplish a goal. Truly amazing.

Reminds me of watching a Rick Steves' travel video about Great Britain relative to a segment on using Border Collies for sheep herding.

Absolutely amazing examples of a symbiotic relationship between other species.

 

[Shevek]

I recently watched a video posted in the Wall Street Journal about an American cardiologist and his sheepherding dog which he trains and works with every weekend on a sheep farm as his hobby and a method to reduce stress in his life and get some good exercise. I tried to post it here but apparently WSJ won't let me. Anyway, it struck me that three different species - dog, sheep and human - all worked together to accomplish a goal. Truly amazing.

Yeah, a goal set by the humans, leaving the world with fewer wolves and cougar, and the domesticated sheep dependent on us for shearing to stay fit.

 

[Angular Chap]

Looks like they train their sheepdogs better across the pond. Here, their antics go beyond herding sheep…

Grand Theft Doggo. Caused tailbacks for miles. Must have been a ruff day.

 

[Outdated]

Wombats have a reputation for having cantankerous natures, they don't attack other creatures on first sight but if something hangs around longer than they are comfortable with they'll give it a bit of a hurry up. They live in underground burrows that end up being like small cave systems, and even though they don't like being crowded by other animals they happily share their burrows with other animals during bushfires.

 

[Shevek]

Beaver tolerate Muskrats in their lodges. In return, the Muskrat bring in bedding material.
Wolves and Ravens team up to find game, and feed both.

 

[Mary Terry]

Cowbirds, formerly known as buffalo birds because they followed migrating bison herds, lay their eggs in other birds' nests and leave, letting the nesters feed and raise their chicks. The nesters apparently can't tell the difference between their own eggs and chicks and the cowbird eggs and chicks.

 

[Shevek]

Cowbirds, formerly known as buffalo birds because they followed migrating bison herds, lay their eggs in other birds' nests and leave, letting the nesters feed and raise their chicks. The nesters apparently can't tell the difference between their own eggs and chicks and the cowbird eggs and chicks.

I think that is parasitism, not cooperation.

 

[Crossbreed]

Grand Theft Doggo...?

At least, s/he has a license...!

Cowbirds, formerly known as buffalo birds because they followed migrating bison herds, lay their eggs in other birds' nests and leave, letting the nesters feed and raise their chicks. The nesters apparently can't tell the difference between their own eggs and chicks and the cowbird eggs and chicks.

Cuckoos do the same thing.

 

[Shevek]

At least, s/he has a license...!

Cuckoos do the same thing.

Cuckoos hatch first and push the other eggs out of the nest, stealing all the food available.

 

[Mary Terry]

I think that is parasitism, not cooperation

It's unwitting cooperation, rather than conscious cooperation.

 

[Mary Terry]

Cuckoos hatch first and push the other eggs out of the nest, stealing all the food available.

Cowbird eggs hatch before the nesters' eggs so by the time the nesters' eggs are ready to hatch, the baby cowbird generally has left the nest. It's a symbiotic relationship. Cowbirds don't shove the other eggs out.

 

[Shevek]

It's unwitting cooperation, rather than conscious cooperation.

Co-operation provides benefits to both parties. If your roommate splits the rent and food, that's cooperation. If they just live free and don't help out, that's theft.

 

[Mary Terry]

Co-operation provides benefits to both parties. If your roommate splits the rent and food, that's cooperation. If they just live free and don't help out, that's theft.

Oh, whatever, @Shevek. Many people have roommates who don't pay for rent or food who are not viewed as thieves. Baby birds don't pay rent or provide food to the nest. Children don't pay rent or provide food to the household.

But since being pedantic is so important to you, please carry on.

 

[Hypnalis]

I wonder if we've bumped into an M/F psychological difference /lol.

The cowbird is stealing resources to propagate their own genes at the expense of their victims'.

It definitely has negative consequences for the exploited target. The target's less-well-fed offspring will be a bit less likely to survive and breed. At scale, this will definitely favor cowbirds over their victims.

This shows up in human statistics too, though in ways that are a bit dark for this discussion, But the facts are clear.
The "Evil Stepmother" that's so common in Fairy Tales is a reflection of real life.

<Edit> This post was written at the same time as Shevek's below (they were posted at about the same time). My point is (or at least was intended to be) exactly the same as his.

 

[Shevek]

Oh, whatever, @Shevek. Many people have roommates who don't pay for rent or food who are not viewed as thieves. Baby birds don't pay rent or provide food to the nest. Children don't pay rent or provide food to the household.

But since being pedantic is so important to you, please carry on.

Children and baby birds pass on the parents' genes, fulfilling their life's goals. Sponging roommates elicit parental behaviour.

 

[Rodafina]

Have I been watching ants protecting aphids?

Spoiler

I've been watching these guys on the end of a pine tree branch for about 2 weeks now. First, I thought the ants were eating the smaller insects, but they are not. Then, I thought I was looking at an ant nursery, but no. I think I have finally figured out that what I've been watching is ants "herding" aphids in order to consume their nectar. Animal mutualism - the ants get the nectar, the aphids get protection.

I hope someone can confirm that I am understanding this animal interaction correctly.

Ants and Aphids « NORTHWEST WILDLIFE ONLINE