to the same species, that remain together for a period of time while interacting with one another to a distinctly greater degree than with other conspecific organisms." This definition cannot be applied to situations such as moths drawn to a lamp, or when animals aggregate around a watering hole, as they are not exampling of a social aggregation. Most definitions however agree that a fundamental characteristic of group living is that individuals need to show spatial proximity over time to be considered a group. Therefore, the working definition of group living is where two or more individuals display a degree of spatial proximity over time, emphasizing the importance of mechanisms of social attraction to maintain these groups. Evolution of group living There have been multiple different hypotheses proposed to explain how group living evolved in animals. Research shows that grouping habits may differ between individuals, and this tendency to group can be inherited. Research also shows that grouping tendency depends heavily on the interaction of many genes, as well as experiences gained by an individual and the environmental conditions surrounding the individual. Other studies argue that the main driving force of the evolution of social grouping is phylogenetic inertia alongside ecological pressure. However, it is still unclear how exactly animals have evolved from the ancestral state of solitary life. Benefits of group living Information access and transfer A key advantage to group living is the ability for individuals in a group to access information gained by other group members. This ability to share information can benefit many aspects of a group’s success, such as increased foraging efficiency and increased defenses against predators. Foraging efficiency An advantage of information access from group living is increased foraging efficiency. When individuals form a group, they can more effectively locate high quality resources in their environment. Foraging efficiency can be increased by the sheer area of space individuals occupy as well as a greater number of individuals searching for food. Once a high-quality resource is found, the individuals may produce signals or cues that guides other members of the group to the location of the resource. The cues and signals produced thus helps individuals of a group discriminate between low- and high-quality resources. An example of this information transfer to benefit foraging efficiency can be seen in honey-bee (Apis mellifera) colonies, in which waggle dances performed by honey-bees share information on where these dancing