Final answer:
Yes, there are social animals that show collective behavioral change in response to disease, such as honey bees and chimpanzees.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, there are examples of social animals which show collective behavioral change in response to disease. One example is honey bees. When a bee in a colony becomes infected with a disease, other bees will change their behavior to prevent the spread of the disease. They may increase their grooming behavior, remove infected bees from the colony, or even sacrifice themselves to protect the rest of the colony.
Another example is chimpanzees. When a disease outbreak occurs, chimps will change their social behavior to avoid close contact with infected individuals. They may disperse to avoid crowded areas or change their grooming patterns to minimize the risk of disease transmission.
These examples show that social animals have the ability to adapt their behavior in response to disease, which helps to protect the overall health and survival of the group.
Similarly, in bee societies, if a bee is infected with a parasite or disease, other bees may limit their interaction with the affected individual or even remove the infected individuals from the hive to protect the colony. In mammals, such as primates, changes in social behavior in response to disease have also been observed, with individuals avoiding sick members of their group.
These behaviors have evolved because they increase the chances of survival for other members of the group. The collective response to the threat of disease demonstrates the complex social structures and responsibilities between members of animal societies, which are often vital to their resilience and longevity.