Vol.:(0123456789) 1 3 Primates https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-018-0686-3 SPECIAL FEATURE: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Using multiplex networks to capture the multidimensional nature of social structure Sandra E. Smith‑Aguilar 1,2  · Filippo Aureli 3,4  · Laura Busia 3,5  · Colleen Schafner 3,6  · Gabriel Ramos‑Fernández 7,8,9 Received: 21 April 2018 / Accepted: 3 September 2018 © Japan Monkey Centre and Springer Japan KK, part of Springer Nature 2018 Abstract Network analysis has increasingly expanded our understanding of social structure in primates and other animal species. However, most studies use networks representing only one interaction type, when social relationships (and the emerging social structure) are the result of many types of interactions and their interplay through time. The recent development of tools facilitating the integrated analysis of multiple interaction types using multiplex networks has opened the possibility of extending the insight provided by social network analysis. We use a multiplex representation of interactions among the members of a group of wild Geofroy’s spider monkeys (Ateles geofroyi), to study their social structure. We constructed a six-layered multiplex network based on three indices of overt social interactions (aggression, embraces, grooming) and three distance-based indices (contact, proximity, and association). With tools provided by the MuxViz software, we assessed the relevance of including all six indices in our analysis, the role of individuals in the network (through node versatility), and the presence of modules and non-random triadic structures or motifs. The multiplex provided information which was not equivalent to any individual layer or to the simple aggregation of layers. Network patterns based on associations did not cor- respond with those observed for overt-interactions or for the multiplex structure. Males were the most versatile individuals, while multiplex modularity and motifs highlighted the relevance of diferent interaction types for the overall connectivity of the network. We conclude that the multiplex approach improves on previous methods by retaining valuable information from each interaction type and how it is patterned among individuals. Keywords Social network analysis · Multilayer networks · Social interactions · Robert Hinde · Ateles geofroyi · Node versatility Social networks analysis in primates, a multilevel perspective Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-018-0686-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. * Sandra E. Smith-Aguilar galadrielent@yahoo.com 1 Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca, Mexico 2 Conservación Biológica y Desarrollo Social AC, Mexico City, Mexico 3 Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico 4 Research Centre in Evolutionary Anthropology and Palaeoecology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK 5 School of Sociology and Anthropology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China 6 Psychology Department, Adams State University, Alamosa, CO, USA 7 Instituto de Investigación en Matemáticas Aplicadas y Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico 8 Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico 9 Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria en Ingeniería y Tecnologías Avanzadas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico