Rapid mimicry of trunk and head movements during play in African Savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana)
Abstract The basic forms of motor and possibly emotion replication include behavioral contagion and rapid motor mimicry (RMM). RMM—mainly demonstrated during play—occurs when an individual perceives and rapidly (< 1 s) replicates the exact motor sequence of another individual. We collected data o...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01067-2 |
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| author | Giada Cordoni Martin Hecker Valentina Crippa Beatriz Gallego Aldama Santiago Borragán Santos Ivan Norscia |
| author_facet | Giada Cordoni Martin Hecker Valentina Crippa Beatriz Gallego Aldama Santiago Borragán Santos Ivan Norscia |
| author_sort | Giada Cordoni |
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| description | Abstract The basic forms of motor and possibly emotion replication include behavioral contagion and rapid motor mimicry (RMM). RMM—mainly demonstrated during play—occurs when an individual perceives and rapidly (< 1 s) replicates the exact motor sequence of another individual. We collected data on an African Savanna Elephant (Loxodonta africana; N = 15) group housed at the Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno (Spain) on play target movements of both trunk and head. We demonstrated the presence of RMM. Elephants that were more prone in mimicking others’ target movements were also more prone to play after observing others playing. RMM—as behavioral contagion—can enhance action coordination between players. As RMM was associated with more offensive play patterns than unreplicated target movements, RMM may allow competitive play sessions to occur, possibly replacing agonistic interactions. Neither individual (age, sex) nor social (affiliation levels) factors modulated the RMM. These findings can be related to the elephant high tolerance levels and the wide presence of play across age (including adults) and sex. Concluding, African elephants have the potential to share their affective states (emotional contagion) via RMM which is relevant to the investigation of the evolution of empathy in mammals including humans. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aff09258980c4a1a879fe46e4d620c99 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-aff09258980c4a1a879fe46e4d620c992025-08-20T01:49:43ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-01067-2Rapid mimicry of trunk and head movements during play in African Savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana)Giada Cordoni0Martin Hecker1Valentina Crippa2Beatriz Gallego Aldama3Santiago Borragán Santos4Ivan Norscia5Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of TorinoDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of TorinoDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of TorinoCantur, S.A. Parque de la Naturaleza de CabárcenoCantur, S.A. Parque de la Naturaleza de CabárcenoDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of TorinoAbstract The basic forms of motor and possibly emotion replication include behavioral contagion and rapid motor mimicry (RMM). RMM—mainly demonstrated during play—occurs when an individual perceives and rapidly (< 1 s) replicates the exact motor sequence of another individual. We collected data on an African Savanna Elephant (Loxodonta africana; N = 15) group housed at the Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno (Spain) on play target movements of both trunk and head. We demonstrated the presence of RMM. Elephants that were more prone in mimicking others’ target movements were also more prone to play after observing others playing. RMM—as behavioral contagion—can enhance action coordination between players. As RMM was associated with more offensive play patterns than unreplicated target movements, RMM may allow competitive play sessions to occur, possibly replacing agonistic interactions. Neither individual (age, sex) nor social (affiliation levels) factors modulated the RMM. These findings can be related to the elephant high tolerance levels and the wide presence of play across age (including adults) and sex. Concluding, African elephants have the potential to share their affective states (emotional contagion) via RMM which is relevant to the investigation of the evolution of empathy in mammals including humans.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01067-2Rapid motor mimicryPlay contagionCompetitive playEmotional contagionLoxodonta africana |
| spellingShingle | Giada Cordoni Martin Hecker Valentina Crippa Beatriz Gallego Aldama Santiago Borragán Santos Ivan Norscia Rapid mimicry of trunk and head movements during play in African Savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) Scientific Reports Rapid motor mimicry Play contagion Competitive play Emotional contagion Loxodonta africana |
| title | Rapid mimicry of trunk and head movements during play in African Savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) |
| title_full | Rapid mimicry of trunk and head movements during play in African Savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) |
| title_fullStr | Rapid mimicry of trunk and head movements during play in African Savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rapid mimicry of trunk and head movements during play in African Savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) |
| title_short | Rapid mimicry of trunk and head movements during play in African Savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) |
| title_sort | rapid mimicry of trunk and head movements during play in african savanna elephants loxodonta africana |
| topic | Rapid motor mimicry Play contagion Competitive play Emotional contagion Loxodonta africana |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01067-2 |
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