Table 1.

Summary of the different ways individuals can be well-connected in their social networks and the proposed fitness benefits of social connectedness.

way to be well connected	proposed benefits	predictions. fitness benefits greatest for individuals…	associated with fitness benefits in… (for example)
(i) social integration	results in lowered aggression, increased tolerance	• that spend the most time interacting with others • with the greatest number of partners • with many weak connections	yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus) [4]; feral horses (Equus ferus) [5]; rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) [6]; chamca baboons (Papio ursinus) [7]
(ii) dyadic connectedness	improves behavioural coordination and cooperation, ensures investments are returned	• with many strong connections • with strong connections to their most important social partners • with stable connections to their most important social partners	Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensi) [8]; greater ani (Crotophaga major) [9]; chacma baboons [10]
(iii) structural connectedness	improves access to information or social influence	• that are more indirectly connected	house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) [11]; rhesus macaques [12]; killer whales (Orcinus orca) [13]; chacma baboons [14]
(iv) direct connectedness	results in directly beneficial outcomes, e.g. grooming removes parasites	• that receive a lot of grooming	meerkats (Suricata suricatta) [15]; gidgee skinks (Egernia stokesii) [16]; Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) [17]