Lead author Dr. Amy Morris-Drake, from Bristol's School of Biological Sciences, said: "Conflict management strategies have evolved to keep the peace in species as varied as chimpanzees, ravens and domestic dogs. Our work demonstrates that dwarf mongooses have sufficient cognitive ability to monitor vocal cues about aggressive interactions and to remember who the bullies are, refusing to groom with them later."

By working with wild groups of mongooses habituated to their close presence, the research team could collect detailed observations and test their ideas experimentally in natural conditions.

Co-author Dr. Julie Kern, now based at the University of New England, Australia said: "The crucial experiment entailed simulating the occurrence of food contests between two group members during the afternoon, through playback of the vocalizations given by aggressors and victims. The rest of the group therefore heard what sounded like repeated squabbles involving these individuals."

Senior author Prof. Andy Radford, also from Bristol, added: "On experimental days, we recorded all the grooming that individuals engaged in with their groupmates back at the sleeping burrow that evening. Being groomed helps with hygiene and reduces anxiety, and grooming underpins social relationships, so is core to social life."