The key answer of exercise 1
The key to exercise solutions in chapter 9 - Culture and competences for the textbook Performer B1, Vol. 2 with authors Marina Spiazzi, Marina Tavella e Margaret Layton from Zanichelli
Question
Discuss in pairs. Do you think humans are the only species who have leaders in their groups? What sort of leaders can be found in wildlife?
Answer
In the animal kingdom, leadership structures can vary widely among different species. While humans have complex social structures and leadership roles, many other species also exhibit forms of leadership within their groups. Here are some examples:
Social mammals:
- Wolves: In wolf packs, there is often an alpha wolf, but this concept has been challenged by more recent studies. The structure is more fluid, and leadership may involve cooperation and coordination rather than a single dominant leader.
- Elephants: Elephant herds are led by a matriarch, usually the oldest and most experienced female. She guides the group in search of food and water.
Primates:
- Chimpanzees: Chimp societies have complex social hierarchies. Dominant individuals, often males, may exert influence through alliances and displays of power.
- Bonobos: Bonobo societies are more egalitarian, with female bonobos playing a prominent role in decision-making.
Birds:
- Geese: Some bird species, such as geese, exhibit a form of leadership during migration. They often fly in a V-formation, with one bird at the front setting the pace. This position is rotated to share the effort of leading the group through the air.
- Penguins: Emperor penguins, for example, rotate leadership roles during long marches to find food, taking turns breaking through the ice for the group.
Insects:
- Ants: Ant colonies often have a queen, and worker ants follow a set of pheromone trails to forage for food. There is a decentralized form of leadership through chemical communication.
- Bees: Honeybee colonies have a queen, worker bees, and drones. Worker bees perform various tasks and communicate through complex dances to indicate the location of food sources.
Marine life:
- Orcas: Killer whales, or orcas, live in family pods led by a matriarch. The older females pass on knowledge, and the group collaborates during hunting.
While the concept of leadership varies across species, it's important to note that in many cases, animal groups operate more through cooperation, communication, and a shared understanding of roles rather than a strict hierarchical structure. Leadership in the animal kingdom is often context-specific and may involve different individuals taking the lead in various situations.