1
|
Kareklas K, Kunc HP, Arnott G. Complex strategies: an integrative analysis of contests in Siamese fighting fish. BMC ZOOL 2022; 7:59. [PMID: 37170148 PMCID: PMC10127297 DOI: 10.1186/s40850-022-00156-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Animals use contests to attain resources and employ strategic decisions to minimise contest costs. These decisions are defined by behavioural response to resource value and competitive ability, but remain poorly understood. This is because the two factors are typically studied separately. Also, their study relies on overgeneralised assumptions that (i) strategies are fixed, (ii) modulated by the motivation or drive to fight and (iii) used to manage costs proportional to the timing of the loser’s retreat. To address these problems, we adopt an integrative sequential analysis that incorporates competitive ability and resource value factors, to characterise territorial contest decisions in male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens).
Results
Individuals exhibited a chronological organisation of behaviour, engaging opponents first with frontal display, then switching to lateral display before deciding to attack, and reserved retreats for later stages. Using asymmetries in retreats as a proxy for outcome, the likelihood of winning was found to be mostly dependent on display. However, resource and contest conditions affected initiation latency, display, attack and retreat, suggesting that strategic decisions influence all behaviour. Overall, sequential behaviour varied consistently with individual aggressiveness and resource-value factors, and increasingly with information on competitive ability collected during the contest. This enabled shifts in tactics, such as disadvantaged individuals responding first with aggression and later with submission. Motivation to continue fighting, after interruption by startle, was also adjusted to information gathered during the contest and progressively with energetic state. Two clusters of correlated behaviours were identified, cost-mitigation (display and retreat) and escalation (initiation and attack), but changes in motivation were associated only with cost mitigation.
Conclusions
Our findings contrast dominant assumptions that strategic decisions are fixed, controlled by motivational state and sufficiently described by outcome-dependent measures. We instead demonstrate that strategic decisions are complex, comprising functional changes in assessment, information use and motivational effects, which are not always inter-dependent.
Collapse
|
2
|
Pace DS, Tumino C, Silvestri M, Giacomini G, Pedrazzi G, Pavan G, Papale E, Ceraulo M, Buscaino G, Ardizzone G. Bray-Call Sequences in the Mediterranean Common Bottlenose Dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus) Acoustic Repertoire. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11030367. [PMID: 35336741 PMCID: PMC8945472 DOI: 10.3390/biology11030367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary In the acoustic repertoire of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), Gulps, Grunts, and Squeaks are part of a group of vocalizations called “bray-call” for which little has been previously studied. The name comes from the alternating structure characteristic of a donkey’s bray. Sounds can be of different types at low frequencies and audible to the human hear—of short duration, produced in sequence. The function of these sequences is not clarified yet, and it is not known if they are part of the vocal “catalog” of all the different populations of common bottlenose dolphin at global level. What is certain is that bray-calls are present in two geographical areas of the Mediterranean and that the “Capitoline” individuals (Rome, Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) emit them with greater frequency and variety than the Sicilian ones (Mazara del Vallo, Sicilian Channel, Italy). A number of 13 different types of sequences have been identified, and only 2 of them are shared between the study areas. For the first time this study identifies variants of the main bray-call elements, highlights the structural complexity of these vocalizations, and suggests addressing future research on the context of emissions and the possible function(s) of such acoustic arrangements. Abstract Acoustic sequences are commonly observed in many animal taxa. The vast vocal repertoire of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) also includes sequences of multi-unit rhythmic signals called bray-call which are still poorly documented, both functionally and geographically. This study aimed to (1) describe, classify, and characterize series of bray-call recorded in two sites of the Mediterranean basin (Rome—Tyrrhenian Sea and Mazara del Vallo—Strait of Sicily) and (2) investigate for the existence of possible geographic differences. The acoustic analysis identified 13 different sequence types, only two detected in both study areas. The Sørensen–Dice index revealed a low degree of similarity between the sequence repertoire of the two common bottlenose dolphin sub-populations, with the Tyrrhenian being more diversified and complex than the Sicilian one. The acoustic parameters also showed variability between the study area. Different variants of the main acoustic elements composing the bray-call sequences were detected in the Tyrrhenian Sea only. The Markov-chain model demonstrated that the transition probability between acoustic elements is not uniform, with specific combinations of elements having a higher probability of occurrence. These new findings on common bottlenose dolphin bray-call sequences highlight the structural complexity of these vocalizations and suggest addressing future research on the context of emissions and the possible function(s) of such acoustic arrangements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Silvia Pace
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.T.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (G.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-(0)6-4991-4763
| | - Carla Tumino
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.T.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (G.A.)
| | - Margherita Silvestri
- Department of Environmental and Evolutionary Sciences, University Austral of Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile;
| | - Giancarlo Giacomini
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.T.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (G.A.)
| | - Giulia Pedrazzi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.T.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (G.A.)
| | - Gianni Pavan
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Elena Papale
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-Istituto per lo Studio degli Impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità, Campobello di Mazara, 91021 Trapani, Italy; (E.P.); (M.C.); (G.B.)
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Ceraulo
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-Istituto per lo Studio degli Impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità, Campobello di Mazara, 91021 Trapani, Italy; (E.P.); (M.C.); (G.B.)
| | - Giuseppa Buscaino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-Istituto per lo Studio degli Impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità, Campobello di Mazara, 91021 Trapani, Italy; (E.P.); (M.C.); (G.B.)
| | - Giandomenico Ardizzone
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.T.); (G.G.); (G.P.); (G.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
|
4
|
Frey R, Wyman MT, Johnston M, Schofield M, Locatelli Y, Reby D. Roars, groans and moans: Anatomical correlates of vocal diversity in polygynous deer. J Anat 2021; 239:1336-1369. [PMID: 34342877 PMCID: PMC8602020 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Eurasian deer are characterized by the extraordinary diversity of their vocal repertoires. Male sexual calls range from roars with relatively low fundamental frequency (hereafter fo ) in red deer Cervus elaphus, to moans with extremely high fo in sika deer Cervus nippon, and almost infrasonic groans with exceptionally low fo in fallow deer Dama dama. Moreover, while both red and fallow males are capable of lowering their formant frequencies during their calls, sika males appear to lack this ability. Female contact calls are also characterized by relatively less pronounced, yet strong interspecific differences. The aim of this study is to examine the anatomical bases of these inter-specific and inter-sexual differences by identifying if the acoustic variation is reflected in corresponding anatomical variation. To do this, we investigated the vocal anatomy of male and female specimens of each of these three species. Across species and sexes, we find that the observed acoustic variability is indeed related to expected corresponding anatomical differences, based on the source-filter theory of vocal production. At the source level, low fo is associated with larger vocal folds, whereas high fo is associated with smaller vocal folds: sika deer have the smallest vocal folds and male fallow deer the largest. Red and sika deer vocal folds do not appear to be sexually dimorphic, while fallow deer exhibit strong sexual dimorphism (after correcting for body size differences). At the filter level, the variability in formants is related to the configuration of the vocal tract: in fallow and red deer, both sexes have evolved a permanently descended larynx (with a resting position of the larynx much lower in males than in females). Both sexes also have the potential for momentary, call-synchronous vocal tract elongation, again more pronounced in males than in females. In contrast, the resting position of the larynx is high in both sexes of sika deer and the potential for further active vocal tract elongation is virtually absent in both sexes. Anatomical evidence suggests an evolutionary reversal in larynx position within sika deer, that is, a secondary larynx ascent. Together, our observations confirm that the observed diversity of vocal behaviour in polygynous deer is supported by strong anatomical differences, highlighting the importance of anatomical specializations in shaping mammalian vocal repertoires. Sexual selection is discussed as a potential evolutionary driver of the observed vocal diversity and sexual dimorphisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roland Frey
- Department of Reproduction ManagementLeibniz Institute of Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)BerlinGermany
| | - Megan Tompkins Wyman
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental ScienceUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Malcolm Johnston
- Clinical Imaging Sciences CentreUniversity of SussexBrightonUK
- Department of RadiologyBrighton and Sussex University HospitalsBrightonUK
| | - Michael Schofield
- Genome Damage and Stability CentreSchool of Life SciencesUniversity of SussexBrightonUK
| | - Yann Locatelli
- Réserve de la Haute ToucheMuséum National d’Histoire NaturelleObterreFrance
| | - David Reby
- Equipe de Neuro‐Ethologie Sensorielle (ENES)/Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon (CRNL)University of Saint‐Étienne, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM UMR_S 1028Saint‐ÉtienneFrance
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Batucan LS, Hsu YH, Maliszewski JW, Wang LJ, Lin CP. Novel wing display and divergent agonistic behaviors of two incipient Psolodesmus damselflies. Naturwissenschaften 2021; 108:49. [PMID: 34601627 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-021-01758-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Sexual selection via male competition is a strong evolutionary force that can drive rapid changes in competitive traits and subsequently lead to population divergence and speciation. Territorial males of many odonates are known to use their colorful wings as visual signals and to perform agonistic displays toward intruders. Psolodesmus mandarinus dorothea and Psolodesmus mandarinus mandarinus are two parapatrically distributed sister damselflies that share similar ecological characteristics but differ markedly in wing coloration. The wings of P. m. dorothea are mostly clear, whereas those of P. m. mandarinus have a large area of black pigmentation and a central white patch. We investigated whether territorial males of the two damselflies at breeding sites display distinct agonistic behaviors associated with their respective wing colors. Behavioral interactions between territorial and intruder males and their wing kinematics were filmed and analyzed for P. m. dorothea in Lienhuachih of central Taiwan, and P. m. mandarinus in Tianxiyuan and Fusan of northern Taiwan. We observed that the P. m. mandarinus males exhibited a novel set of perched wing displays, which was not only absent in its sister P. m. dorothea but also previously unknown in Odonata. At breeding sites, perched rival males of P. m. mandarinus with pigmented wings exhibited escalating agonistic wing-flapping and wing-hitting displays toward each other. In contrast, territorial males of P. m. dorothea with clear wings engaged only in aerial chase or face-to-face hovering when intruder males approached from the air. These results indicate that the two sister P. mandarinus damselflies diverged behaviorally in territorial contests and support the hypothesis of coadaptation on the basis of wing colors and types of wing movement in Odonata. Our findings further suggest that divergent agonistic wing displays may play a pivotal role in the speciation mechanism of P. mandarinus damselflies. The sequential analyses of behavioral characteristics and progression suggest that P. m. mandarinus damselflies likely use mutual assessment of rivals in territorial contests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leocris S Batucan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Section 4, Tingzhou Road, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsun Hsu
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Section 4, Tingzhou Road, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Jak W Maliszewski
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Jong Wang
- Division of Forest Protection, Taiwan Forestry Research Institution, Taipei, 10066, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Ping Lin
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Section 4, Tingzhou Road, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan.
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
McCambridge JE, Painting CJ, Walker LA, Holwell GI. Contests between male New Zealand sheet-web spiders, Cambridgea plagiata (Araneae: Desidae). NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2021.1909081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Josephine E. McCambridge
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- AsureQuality Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Christina J. Painting
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Leilani A. Walker
- Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gregory I. Holwell
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu PC, Hao DJ, Hu W, Wei JR, Wang JJ. Life history of aggression in Anastatus disparis (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) with extreme male-male combat. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2021; 111:146-152. [PMID: 32677606 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485320000413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Aggressive behaviour is common in animals and typically has lifetime consequences. As younger males have higher residual reproductive value than older males and lose more from injuries than older males do, the propensity for fighting tends to increase with age in many empirical reports and species. However, fighting patterns in those empirical reports cannot confirm the hypothesis that individuals cannot readily inflict injuries on their opponents. To address this shortcoming, a parasitoid wasp species, Anastatus disparis (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), was used as an experimental model to explore the characteristics of aggression from a life-history perspective; this wasp exhibits extreme fighting, resulting in contestants experiencing injury and death. Results showed that the energetic costs of fighting to injury significantly shortened life and caused the loss of most mating ability. Inconsistent with general predictions, the frequency and intensity of fighting in A. disparis significantly decreased with male age. Further study results showed significantly more young males were received by and successfully mated with virgin females, and most genes related to energy metabolism were downregulated in aged males. Our study provided supporting evidence that young A. disparis males show more aggression likely because of their resource holding potential and sexual attractiveness decline with age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Cheng Liu
- The College of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Anhui Province, China
| | - De-Jun Hao
- The College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei Hu
- The College of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jian-Rong Wei
- The College of Life Science, Hebei University, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jian-Jun Wang
- Liaoning Academy of Forestry Science, Shenyang Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mowles SL, Skicko IM, Sturrock CJ, Durrant KL. Differential effects of aerobic capacities on fight outcome in giant hissing cockroaches. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
9
|
Crump A, Bethell EJ, Earley R, Lee VE, Mendl M, Oldham L, Turner SP, Arnott G. Emotion in animal contests. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201715. [PMID: 33203327 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Emotions encompass cognitive and behavioural responses to reward and punishment. Using contests as a case-study, we propose that short-term emotions underpin animals' assessments, decision-making and behaviour. Equating contest assessments to emotional 'appraisals', we describe how contestants appraise more than resource value and outcome probability. These appraisals elicit the cognition, drive and neurophysiology that governs aggressive behaviour. We discuss how recent contest outcomes induce long-term moods, which impact subsequent contest behaviour. Finally, we distinguish between integral (objectively relevant) and incidental (objectively irrelevant) emotions and moods (affective states). Unlike existing ecological models, our approach predicts that incidental events influence contest dynamics, and that contests become incidental influences themselves, potentially causing maladaptive decision-making. As affective states cross contexts, a more holistic ethology (incorporating emotions and moods) would illuminate animal cognition and behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Crump
- Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK.,Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, UK
| | - Emily J Bethell
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, UK
| | - Ryan Earley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, USA
| | - Victoria E Lee
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Scotland's Rural College, UK
| | - Michael Mendl
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Lucy Oldham
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Scotland's Rural College, UK
| | - Simon P Turner
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Scotland's Rural College, UK
| | - Gareth Arnott
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Panebianco A, Gregorio PF, Ovejero R, Marozzi A, Ruiz Blanco M, Leggieri LR, Taraborelli PA, Carmanchahi PD. Male aggressiveness in a polygynous ungulate varies with social and ecological context. Ethology 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Panebianco
- Grupo de Investigación de Eco‐Fisiología de Fauna Silvestre (GIEFAS) INIBIOMA‐CONICET‐AUSMA‐UNCoSan Martín de los Andes Neuquén Argentina
| | - Pablo F. Gregorio
- Grupo de Investigación de Eco‐Fisiología de Fauna Silvestre (GIEFAS) INIBIOMA‐CONICET‐AUSMA‐UNCoSan Martín de los Andes Neuquén Argentina
| | - Ramiro Ovejero
- Instituto de Ecología RegionalIER‐CONICET‐UNT Tucumán Argentina
- Laboratorio de Ecología Conductual Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia Chile
| | - Antonela Marozzi
- Grupo de Investigación de Eco‐Fisiología de Fauna Silvestre (GIEFAS) INIBIOMA‐CONICET‐AUSMA‐UNCoSan Martín de los Andes Neuquén Argentina
| | - Mariel Ruiz Blanco
- Programa Estepa Patagónica y AndinaWildlife Conservation Society Junin de los Andes Argentina
| | - Leonardo R. Leggieri
- Grupo de Investigación de Eco‐Fisiología de Fauna Silvestre (GIEFAS) INIBIOMA‐CONICET‐AUSMA‐UNCoSan Martín de los Andes Neuquén Argentina
| | | | - Pablo D. Carmanchahi
- Grupo de Investigación de Eco‐Fisiología de Fauna Silvestre (GIEFAS) INIBIOMA‐CONICET‐AUSMA‐UNCoSan Martín de los Andes Neuquén Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
|
12
|
Antioxidant asymmetry and acclimation temperature independently reflect fight outcome in male crickets. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
13
|
Tobiansky DJ, Miles MC, Goller F, Fuxjager MJ. Androgenic modulation of extraordinary muscle speed creates a performance trade-off with endurance. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb222984. [PMID: 32291320 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.222984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Performance trade-offs can dramatically alter an organism's evolutionary trajectory by making certain phenotypic outcomes unattainable. Understanding how these trade-offs arise from an animal's design is therefore an important goal of biology. To explore this topic, we studied how androgenic hormones, which regulate skeletal muscle function, influence performance trade-offs relevant to different components of complex reproductive behaviour. We conducted this work in golden-collared manakins (Manacus vitellinus), a neotropical bird in which males court females by rapidly snapping their wings together above their back. Androgens help mediate this behavior by radically increasing the twitch speed of a dorsal wing muscle (scapulohumeralis caudalis, SH), which actuates the bird's wing-snap. Through hormone manipulations and in situ muscle recordings, we tested how these positive effects on SH speed influence trade-offs with endurance. Indeed, this latter trait impacts the display by shaping signal length. We found that androgen-dependent increases in SH speed incur a cost to endurance, particularly when this muscle performs at its functional limits. Moreover, when behavioural data were overlaid on our muscle recordings, displaying animals appeared to balance display speed with fatigue-induced muscle fusion (physiological tetanus) to generate the fastest possible signal while maintaining an appropriate signal duration. Our results point to androgen action as a functional trigger of trade-offs in sexual performance - these hormones enhance one element of a courtship display, but in doing so, impede another.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Tobiansky
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Meredith C Miles
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Franz Goller
- Department of Biology, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Institute for Zoophysiology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Matthew J Fuxjager
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Jennings DJ. Contest behaviour varies in relation to reproductive opportunities and reproductive success in the fallow deer. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
15
|
Liu PC, Hao DJ, Hu HY, Wei JR, Wu F, Shen J, Xu SJ, Xie QY. Effect of Winning Experience on Aggression Involving Dangerous Fighting Behavior in Anastatus disparis (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2020; 20:5847615. [PMID: 32458992 PMCID: PMC7251529 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Aggressive behavior is widely observed in animal species for acquiring important resources and usually includes both dangerous and nondangerous fighting patterns. Only a few species show dangerous fighting patterns that are defined by fights ending with contestants being severely injured or killed. Prior experience, an important factor in many species, has been demonstrated to affect a contestant's subsequent fighting behavior. Few studies have focused on the effect of experience on aggression involving dangerous fighting patterns. Here, an egg parasitoid wasp, Anastatus disparis, which shows extreme and dangerous fighting behavior to acquire mating opportunities, was used as an experimental model. Our results showed that the fighting intensity of the winning males significantly decreased subsequent fighting behavior, which was inconsistent with general predictions. Transcriptomic analyses showed that many genes related to energy metabolism were downregulated in winners, and winners increased their fighting intensity after dietary supplementation. Our study suggested that fighting in A. disparis is a tremendous drain on energy. Thus, although males won at combat, significant reductions in available energy constrained the intensity of subsequent fights and influenced strategic decisions. In addition, winners might improve their fighting skills and abilities from previous contests, and their fighting intensity after dietary supplementation was significantly higher than that of males without any fighting experience. Generally, in A. disparis, although winners increased their fighting ability with previous experience, the available energy in winners was likely to be a crucial factor affecting the intensity and strategic decisions in subsequent fights.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Cheng Liu
- The College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Anhui Province, China
| | - De-Jun Hao
- The College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hao-Yuan Hu
- The College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jian-Rong Wei
- The College of Life Science, Hebei University, Hebei Province, China
| | - Fan Wu
- The College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jie Shen
- The College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Anhui Province, China
| | - Shen-jia Xu
- The College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Anhui Province, China
| | - Qi-Yue Xie
- The College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Anhui Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Walmsley SF, Rendell L, Hussey NE, Marcoux M. Vocal sequences in narwhals (Monodon monoceros). THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 147:1078. [PMID: 32113269 DOI: 10.1121/10.0000671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sequences are indicative of signal complexity in vocal communication. While vocal sequences are well-described in birds and terrestrial mammals, the extent to which marine mammals use them is less well understood. This study documents the first known examples of sequence use in the narwhal (Monodon monoceros), a gregarious Arctic cetacean. Eight female narwhals were fitted with animal-borne recording devices, resulting in one of the largest datasets of narwhal acoustic behaviour to date. A combination of visual and quantitative classification procedures was used to test whether subjectively defined vocalization patterns were organized into sequences. Next, acoustic characteristics were analyzed to assess whether sequences could disclose group or individual identity. Finally, generalized linear models were used to investigate the behavioural context under which sequences were produced. Two types of sequences, consisting of "paired" patterns and "burst pulse series," were identified. Sequences of burst pulse series were typically produced in periods of high vocal activity, whereas the opposite was true for sequences of paired patterns, suggesting different functions for each. These findings extend the set of odontocetes which are known to use vocal sequences. Inquiry into vocal sequences in other understudied marine mammals may provide further insights into the evolution of vocal communication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sam F Walmsley
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, Sir Harold Mitchell Building, St Andrews, KY16 9TH, Scotland
| | - Luke Rendell
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, Sir Harold Mitchell Building, St Andrews, KY16 9TH, Scotland
| | - Nigel E Hussey
- Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Marianne Marcoux
- Arctic Aquatic Research Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Weller JE, Turner SP, Farish M, Camerlink I, Arnott G. The Association Between Play Fighting and Information Gathering during Subsequent Contests. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1133. [PMID: 31980694 PMCID: PMC6981131 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58063-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Many hypotheses regarding the evolution of social play have been suggested, including the development of later-life assessment skills. However, the link between play fighting experience and information gathering during contests has yet to be examined. This paper explores the association between play fighting and contest assessment strategy in the domestic pig (Sus scrofa). Using an established framework, we provide evidence suggesting play fighting frequency may affect the extent to which individuals incorporate information regarding their own and their competitors' resource holding potential (RHP) in escalation decisions. Pigs were allocated as 'high play' or 'low play' based upon their relative play fighting frequency. To maximise variation in play, 12 litters underwent a socialisation treatment while the remaining 12 litters were kept isolated within their home pen (i.e. control treatment). At eight weeks of age contests were staged between pairs of unfamiliar pigs, using 19 'high play' dyads and 19 'low play' dyads. While 'high play' dyads were observed to rely on a pure self-assessment strategy, 'low play dyads' did not meet the predictions of either self- or mutual assessment, suggesting their contest behaviour may have been motivated by alternative factors. We suggest that early life play fighting may therefore allow individuals to develop an accurate estimate of their RHP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Weller
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
| | - Simon P Turner
- Animal Behaviour & Welfare, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marianne Farish
- Animal Behaviour & Welfare, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, UK
| | - Irene Camerlink
- Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni), Vienna, Austria
| | - Gareth Arnott
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Weller JE, Camerlink I, Turner SP, Farish M, Arnott G. Playful pigs: early life play-fighting experience influences later life contest dynamics. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
19
|
Ducouret P, Romano A, Dreiss AN, Marmaroli P, Falourd X, Roulin A. The Art of Diplomacy in Vocally Negotiating Barn Owl Siblings. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
20
|
Chapin KJ, Peixoto PEC, Briffa M. Further mismeasures of animal contests: a new framework for assessment strategies. Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Competition for resources is a ubiquitous feature of life, and a central topic in behavioral ecology. Organisms use assessment strategies to resolve contests, which can be delineated into two broad categories by the information individuals use to make decisions: mutual assessment (MA) or self-assessment (SA). Most research hitherto has worked to bin a species into one of these categories. In this review, we discuss the limitations of this approach and provide solutions. We posit that assessment strategies do not need to be fixed within a species, individuals, or interactions, and that many organisms should adjust their assessment strategy as the environment, opponent, and opportunities for information gathering change. We show that assessment strategies are an individual-level characteristic, can vary within and between contests, and are not mutually exclusive. We argue that MA is the midpoint along a spectrum of self only and opponent only assessment. We discuss the effects of resource distribution, demographics, experience, information transfer, and ontogeny on assessment strategy evolution and behavior. We conclude by providing empirical guidelines and an example with a simulated dataset.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth James Chapin
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
| | - Paulo Enrique Cardoso Peixoto
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciência Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Mark Briffa
- School of Biological & Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, UK
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kareklas K, McMurray R, Arnott G. Increased aggressive motivation towards formidable opponents: evidence of a novel form of mutual assessment. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
|
22
|
Kareklas K, Wilson J, Kunc HP, Arnott G. Signal complexity communicates aggressive intent during contests, but the process is disrupted by noise. Biol Lett 2019; 15:20180841. [PMID: 30991914 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Contestants use displays to signal their aggressive intent and settle disputes before they escalate. For birds, this is often in the form of song, which can vary in structural complexity. The role of song complexity in signalling aggressive intent has not been fully established, and its efficacy could be influenced by background noise levels. Using playback experiments, we found that in European robins, Erithacus rubecula, song complexity signalled sender aggression and affected receiver response. However, increased noise impacted the ability of contestants to adjust response based on opponent song complexity. These findings provide new evidence regarding the use of acoustic signal complexity for assessing opponent aggression and that noise can influence contest behaviour by interrupting this process, which could impose fitness consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyriacos Kareklas
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast , 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL , UK
| | - James Wilson
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast , 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL , UK
| | - Hansjoerg P Kunc
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast , 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL , UK
| | - Gareth Arnott
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast , 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL , UK
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Pinto NS, Palaoro AV, Peixoto PEC. All by myself? Meta‐analysis of animal contests shows stronger support for self than for mutual assessment models. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1430-1442. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nelson S. Pinto
- Graduate Program in EcologyUniversidade Federal da Bahia Salvador BA 40110‐909 Brazil
| | - Alexandre V. Palaoro
- LAGE do Departamento de EcologiaUniversidade de São Paulo São Paulo SP 05508‐090 Brazil
| | - Paulo E. C. Peixoto
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Biologia GeralUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte MG 31270‐901 Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Self-assessment strategy during contest decisions between male Great Himalayan leaf-nosed bats. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-019-2657-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
25
|
Lobregat G, Gechel Kloss T, Peixoto PEC, Sperber CF. Fighting in rounds: males of a neotropical cricket switch assessment strategies during contests. Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Lobregat
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, Edifício Chotaro Shimoya, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thiago Gechel Kloss
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, Av. Olegário Maciel, Ubá, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo Enrique Cardoso Peixoto
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carlos Frankl Sperber
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, Edifício Chotaro Shimoya, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Reichert MS, Ronacher B. Temporal integration of conflicting directional cues in sound localization. J Exp Biol 2019; 222:jeb.208751. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.208751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Sound localization is fundamental to hearing. In nature, sound degradation and noise erode directional cues and can generate conflicting directional perceptions across different subcomponents of sounds. Little is known about how sound localization is achieved in the face of conflicting directional cues in non-human animals, although this is relevant for many species in which sound localization in noisy conditions mediates mate finding or predator avoidance. We studied the effects of conflicting directional cues in male grasshoppers, Chorthippus biguttulus, which orient towards signaling females. We presented playbacks varying in the number and temporal position of song syllables providing directional cues in the form of either time or amplitude differences between two speakers. Males oriented towards the speaker broadcasting a greater number of leading or louder syllables. For a given number of syllables providing directional information, syllables with timing differences at the song's beginning were weighted most heavily, while syllables with intensity differences were weighted most heavily when they were in the middle of the song. When timing and intensity cues conflicted, the magnitude and temporal position of each cue determined their relative influence on lateralization, and males sometimes quickly corrected their directional responses. We discuss our findings with respect to similar results from humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. Reichert
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, 501 Life Sciences West, Stillwater, OK, 74078 USA
- Institut für Biologie, Abteilung Verhaltensphysiologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstraße 13, Haus 18, 10099 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ronacher
- Institut für Biologie, Abteilung Verhaltensphysiologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstraße 13, Haus 18, 10099 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Lane SM, Briffa M. How does the environment affect fighting? The interaction between extrinsic fighting ability and resource value during contests. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.187740. [PMID: 30115671 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.187740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
An individual's performance during a fight is influenced by a combination of their capacity and willingness to compete. While willingness to fight is known to be determined by both intrinsic and extrinsic drivers, an individual's capacity to fight is generally thought of as solely intrinsic, being driven by a host of physiological factors. However, evidence indicates that variation in fighting ability can also be generated through exposure to different environmental conditions. Environmental contributions to fighting ability may be particularly important for animals living in spatially and temporally heterogeneous habitats, in which fights can occur between rivals recently exposed to different environmental conditions. The rapidly changing environment experienced within intertidal zones, for example, means that seawater parameters, including dissolved oxygen content and temperature, can vary across small spatial and temporal scales. Here, we investigated the relative importance of these extrinsic contributions to fighting ability and resource value on contest dynamics in the beadlet sea anemone Actinia equina We manipulated the extrinsic fighting ability of both opponents (through dissolved oxygen concentration prior to fights) and resource value (through seawater flow rate during the fight). Our results indicate that the extrinsic fighting ability of both opponents can interact with resource value to drive escalation patterns and that extrinsic drivers can be more important in determining contest dynamics than the intrinsic traits commonly studied. Our study highlights the need to combine data on intrinsic state and extrinsic conditions in order to gain a more holistic view of the factors driving contest behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Lane
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Mark Briffa
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Briffa M, Lane SM. The role of skill in animal contests: a neglected component of fighting ability. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2017.1596. [PMID: 28954913 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
What attributes make some individuals more likely to win a fight than others? A range of morphological and physiological traits have been studied intensely but far less focus has been placed on the actual agonistic behaviours used. Current studies of agonistic behaviour focus on contest duration and the vigour of fighting. It also seems obvious that individuals that fight more skilfully should have a greater chance of winning a fight. Here, we discuss the meaning of skill in animal fights. As the activities of each opponent can be disrupted by the behaviour of their rival, we differentiate among ability, technique and skill itself. In addition to efficient, accurate and sometimes precise movement, skilful fighting also requires rapid decision-making, so that appropriate tactics and strategies are selected. We consider how these different components of skill could be acquired, through genes, experiences of play-fighting and of real fights. Skilful fighting can enhance resource holding potential (RHP) by allowing for sustained vigour, by inflicting greater costs on opponents and by minimizing the chance of damage. Therefore, we argue that skill is a neglected but important component of RHP that could be readily studied to provide new insights into the evolution of agonistic behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Briffa
- School of Biological and Marine Science, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL3 8AA, UK
| | - Sarah M Lane
- School of Biological and Marine Science, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL3 8AA, UK
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Xu XM, Chi QS, Cao J, Zhao ZJ. The effect of aggression I: The increases of metabolic cost and mobilization of fat reserves in male striped hamsters. Horm Behav 2018; 98:55-62. [PMID: 29288636 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/24/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Aggression can benefit individuals by enhancing their dominance and thereby their ability to acquire and retain resources that increase survival or fitness. Engaging in aggressive behavior costs energy and how animals manage their energy budget to accommodate aggression remains unclear. We conducted three experiments to examine changes in physiological, behavioral and hormonal markers indicative of energy budget in male striped hamsters subject to resident-intruder aggression tests. Body temperature, metabolic rate and serum corticosterone levels significantly increased in resident hamsters immediately after the introduction of intruders. Energy intake did not change, but the metabolic rate of residents increased by 16.1% after 42-days of repeated encounters with intruders. Residents had significantly decreased body fat content and serum thyroxine (T4) levels, and a considerably elevated tri-iodothyronine (T3)/T4 ratio compared to a control group that had no intruders. Attack latency considerably shortened, and the number of attack bouts and total duration of attacks, significantly increased in residents on day 42 compared to day 1 of experiments. These findings may suggest that the conversion of T4 to T3 is involved in defensive aggression behavior. The mobilization of fat reserves resulting in lean body mass is probably common response to the increased metabolic cost of aggression in small mammals. Aggressive behavior, which is important for the successful acquisition and defense of resources, may be of significance for adaptation and evolution of metabolic rate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ming Xu
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Qing-Sheng Chi
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management for Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Jing Cao
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Zhao
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Mowles SL, Jennions MD, Backwell PRY. Robotic crabs reveal that female fiddler crabs are sensitive to changes in male display rate. Biol Lett 2018; 14:20170695. [PMID: 29343563 PMCID: PMC5803598 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2017.0695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Males often produce dynamic, repetitive courtship displays that can be demanding to perform and might advertise male quality to females. A key feature of demanding displays is that they can change in intensity: escalating as a male increases his signalling effort, but de-escalating as a signaller becomes fatigued. Here, we investigated whether female fiddler crabs, Uca mjoebergi, are sensitive to changes in male courtship wave rate. We performed playback experiments using robotic male crabs that had the same mean wave rate, but either escalated, de-escalated or remained constant. Females demonstrated a strong preference for escalating robots, but showed mixed responses to robots that de-escalated ('fast' to 'slow') compared to those that waved at a constant 'medium' rate. These findings demonstrate that females can discern changes in male display rate, and prefer males that escalate, but that females are also sensitive to past display rates indicative of prior vigour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie L Mowles
- Department of Biology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK
- Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Michael D Jennions
- Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Patricia R Y Backwell
- Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Palaoro AV, Velasque M, Santos S, Briffa M. How does environment influence fighting? The effects of tidal flow on resource value and fighting costs in sea anemones. Biol Lett 2017; 13:rsbl.2017.0011. [PMID: 28539458 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2017.0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An animal's decision to enter into a fight depends on the interaction between perceived resource value (V) and fighting costs (C). Both could be altered by predictable environmental fluctuations. For intertidal marine animals, such as the sea anemone Actinia equina, exposure to high flow during the tidal cycle may increase V by bringing more food. It may also increase C via energy expenditure needed to attach to the substrate. We asked whether simulated tidal cycles would alter decisions in fighting A. equina We exposed some individuals to still water and others to simulated tidal cycles. To gain insights into V, we measured their startle responses before and after exposure to the treatments, before staging dyadic fights. Individuals exposed to flow present shorter startle responses, suggesting that flowing water indicates high V compared with still water. A higher probability of winning against no-flow individuals and longer contests between flow individuals suggests that increased V increases persistence. However, encounters between flow individuals were less likely to escalate, suggesting that C is not directly related to V. Therefore, predictable environmental cycles alter V and C, but in complex ways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre V Palaoro
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK .,Núcleo de Estudos em Biodiversidade Aquática, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Mariana Velasque
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Sandro Santos
- Núcleo de Estudos em Biodiversidade Aquática, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Mark Briffa
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
The influence of experience on contest assessment strategies. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14492. [PMID: 29101343 PMCID: PMC5670170 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15144-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal contest behaviour has been widely studied, yet major knowledge gaps remain concerning the information-gathering and decision-making processes used during encounters. The mutual assessment strategy, where the individual assesses its own fighting ability (Resource Holding Potential, RHP) and compares it to that of its opponent, is least understood. We hypothesise that individuals need experience of agonistic encounters to become proficient at mutual assessment. Pigs (Sus scrofa, n = 316) were contested twice. In between contests, animals did or did not (control) receive intense fighting experience. A substantial proportion of the contests reached an outcome with a clear winner without fighting. Non-escalation was highest in RHP asymmetric dyads of the second contest, irrespective of experience. In contest 1 (no experience) and in contest 2 for the experienced animals, costs increased with loser RHP and where unaffected by winner RHP, suggesting a self-assessment strategy. In contest 2 control dyads, which only had experience of one prior contest, a negative relation between winner RHP and costs suggested mutual assessment during the pre-escalation phase but not during escalated aggression. This reveals that a brief and relatively mild experience can be beneficial in the development of mutual assessment whereas profound experience may result in adoption of a self-assessment strategy.
Collapse
|
33
|
Reichert MS, Quinn JL. Cognition in Contests: Mechanisms, Ecology, and Evolution. Trends Ecol Evol 2017; 32:773-785. [PMID: 28823589 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Animal contests govern access to key resources and are a fundamental determinant of fitness within populations. Little is known about the mechanisms generating individual variation in strategic contest behavior or what this variation means for population level processes. Cognition governs the expression of behaviors during contests, most notably by linking experience gained with decision making, but its role in driving the evolutionary ecological dynamics of contests is only beginning to emerge. We review the kinds of cognitive mechanisms that underlie contest behavior, emphasize the importance of feedback loops and socio-ecological context, and suggest that contest behavior provides an ideal focus for integrative studies of phenotypic variation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Reichert
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University College Cork, North Mall, Cork, T23 N73K, Ireland.
| | - John L Quinn
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University College Cork, North Mall, Cork, T23 N73K, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Motor pattern during fights in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus : evidence for the role of skill in animal contests. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
35
|
Abstract
In this review, I discuss current knowledge and outstanding questions on the neuromodulators that influence aggressive behavior of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. I first present evidence that Drosophila exchange information during an agonistic interaction and choose appropriate actions based on this information. I then discuss the influence of several biogenic amines and neuropeptides on aggressive behavior. One striking characteristic of neuromodulation is that it can configure a neural circuit dynamically, enabling one circuit to generate multiple outcomes. I suggest a consensus effect of each neuromodulatory molecule on Drosophila aggression, as well as effects of receptor proteins where relevant data are available. Lastly, I consider neuromodulation in the context of strategic action choices during agonistic interactions. Genetic components of neuromodulatory systems are highly conserved across animals, suggesting that molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling Drosophila aggression can shed light on neural principles governing action choice during social interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Asahina
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California 92037;
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Mowles SL, Jennions M, Backwell PRY. Multimodal communication in courting fiddler crabs reveals male performance capacities. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:161093. [PMID: 28405396 PMCID: PMC5383853 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.161093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Courting males often perform different behavioural displays that demonstrate aspects of their quality. Male fiddler crabs, Uca sp., are well known for their repetitive claw-waving display during courtship. However, in some species, males produce an additional signal by rapidly stridulating their claw, creating a 'drumming' vibrational signal through the substrate as a female approaches, and even continue to drum once inside their burrow. Here, we show that the switch from waving to drumming might provide additional information to the female about the quality of a male, and the properties of his burrow (multiple message hypothesis). Across males there was, however, a strong positive relationship between aspects of their waving and drumming displays, suggesting that drumming adheres to some predictions of the redundant signal hypothesis for multimodal signalling. In field experiments, we show that recent courtship is associated with a significant reduction in male sprint speed, which is commensurate with an oxygen debt. Even so, males that wave and drum more vigorously than their counterparts have a higher sprint speed. Drumming appears to be an energetically costly multimodal display of quality that females should attend to when making their mate choice decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie L. Mowles
- Animal and Environment Research Group, Faculty of Science and Technology, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK
- Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Michael Jennions
- Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Patricia R. Y. Backwell
- Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Jennings DJ, Gammell MP. Lateralization during lateral display and its relationship with antler size and symmetry in fallow deer (Dama dama). Laterality 2017; 23:1-19. [PMID: 28276876 DOI: 10.1080/1357650x.2017.1293074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Individuals often display a preference for one side of their body during aggressive encounters. This may be a lateralized preference for using one structure of a bilateral trait during display or physical attack, or for keeping the opponent in one visual field. Alternatively, it may be the case that behavioural lateralization and the degree of symmetry expressed by bilateral structures are correlated forms of developmental instability. We examined whether there was an association between lateralization during a lateral display and different measurements of antler size and symmetry (beam length, beam circumference, brow tine length and coronet circumference). Three models addressed different structural measures: the right antler, the larger antler and antler symmetry. Results showed that beam length was negatively associated with behavioural lateralization irrespective of structural measure. A second analysis using a composite score of the four antler measurements, one for each structural measure, showed that only antler symmetry was negatively associated with lateralization during lateral display. Therefore, our second prediction was supported. We discuss these findings in relation to predator detection capability and stress reduction in prey species such as the fallow deer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dómhnall J Jennings
- a Institute of Neuroscience , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK
| | - Martin P Gammell
- b Department of Life and Physical Science , Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology , Galway , Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Edmonds E, Briffa M. Weak rappers rock more: hermit crabs assess their own agonistic behaviour. Biol Lett 2017; 12:20150884. [PMID: 26740563 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fighting animals use a variety of information sources to make strategic decisions. A neglected potential source of information is an individual's own performance during a fight. Surprisingly, this possibility has yet to be incorporated into the large body of theory concerning the evolution of aggressive behaviour. Here, by experimentally dampening the impact of their shell rapping behaviour, we test for the possibility that attacking hermit crabs monitor their own fight performance. Attackers with dampened raps did not show a reduction in the number of raps used. By contrast, they showed an increased frequency of a less intense agonistic behaviour, shell rocking. This change in behaviour, in attackers that are forced to rap weakly, indicates that they assess their own agonistic behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Edmonds
- School of Science and Sport, University of Western Scotland, High Street, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
| | - Mark Briffa
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL3 8AA, UK
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Palaoro AV, Briffa M. Weaponry and defenses in fighting animals: how allometry can alter predictions from contest theory. Behav Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arw163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
|
40
|
To breathe or fight? Siamese fighting fish differ when facing a real opponent or mirror image. Behav Processes 2016; 129:11-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2016.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
41
|
Costa JR, Dalosto MM, Palaoro AV, Santos S. Contest Duration and Dynamics are Affected by Body Size in a Potentially Subsocial Crayfish (Crustacea: Decapoda). Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana R. Costa
- Núcleo de Estudos em Biodiversidade Aquática; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas; Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; Santa Maria Brazil
| | - Marcelo M. Dalosto
- Núcleo de Estudos em Biodiversidade Aquática; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas; Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; Santa Maria Brazil
| | - Alexandre V. Palaoro
- Núcleo de Estudos em Biodiversidade Aquática; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas; Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; Santa Maria Brazil
| | - Sandro Santos
- Núcleo de Estudos em Biodiversidade Aquática; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas; Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; Santa Maria Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Variable Signals in a Complex World. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.asb.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
|
43
|
Bee M, Reichert M, Tumulty J. Assessment and Recognition of Rivals in Anuran Contests. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.asb.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
44
|
Mowles SL, Jepson NM. Physiological Costs of Repetitive Courtship Displays in Cockroaches Handicap Locomotor Performance. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143664. [PMID: 26606147 PMCID: PMC4659605 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Courtship displays are typically thought to have evolved via female choice, whereby females select mates based on the characteristics of a display that is expected to honestly reflect some aspect of the male's quality. Honesty is typically enforced by mechanistic costs and constraints that limit the level at which a display can be performed. It is becoming increasingly apparent that these costs may be energetic costs involved in the production of dynamic, often repetitive displays. A female attending to such a display may thus be assessing the physical fitness of a male as an index of his quality. Such assessment would provide information on his current physical quality as well as his ability to carry out other demanding activities, qualities with which a choosy female should want to provision her offspring. In the current study we use courtship interactions in the Cuban burrowing cockroach, Byrsotria fumigata to directly test whether courtship is associated with a signaler's performance capacity. Males that had produced courtship displays achieved significantly lower speeds and distances in locomotor trials than non-courting control males. We also found that females mated more readily with males that produced a more vigorous display. Thus, males of this species have developed a strategy where they produce a demanding courtship display, while females choose males based on their ability to produce this display. Courtship displays in many taxa often involve dynamic repetitive actions and as such, signals of stamina in courtship may be more widespread than previously thought.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie L. Mowles
- Department of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Natalie M. Jepson
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
|
46
|
Exaggerated displays do not improve mounting success in male seaweed flies Fucellia tergina (Diptera: Anthomyiidae). Behav Processes 2015; 120:73-9. [PMID: 26365923 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2015.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Signals of individual quality are assumed to be difficult to exaggerate, either because they are directly linked to underlying traits (indices) or because they are costly to perform (handicaps). In practise advertisement displays may consist of conventional and costly components, for instance where a morphological structure related to body size is used in visual displays. In this case, there is the potential for dishonest displays, due to the population level variance around the relationship between body size and display structures. We examine the use of wing flicking displays that we observed in situ in a strandline dwelling seaweed fly Fucellia tergina, using overall body size and the size of their eyes as underlying indicators of condition. Males displayed far more frequently than females, and were also observed to frequently mount other flies, a behaviour that was rare in females. The rate of display was greater for males that had positive residual values from relationships between wing length and body length. In other words those males with larger than expected wings for their underlying quality displayed more frequently, indicating that these displays are open to exaggeration. Males with larger than expected wings (for the size of their body or eyes), however, mounted less frequently. We suggest that small bodied males are less successful in terms of mounting, but that those small males with relatively large wings may attempt to compensate for this through increased display effort.
Collapse
|
47
|
|
48
|
Flink H, Svensson PA. Nest size preferences and aggression in sand gobies (Pomatoschistus minutus). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-015-1964-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
49
|
Yasuda CI, Matsuo K, Wada S. Previous mating experience increases fighting success during male-male contests in the hermit crab Pagurus nigrofascia. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-015-1941-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
50
|
Briffa M, Sneddon LU, Wilson AJ. Animal personality as a cause and consequence of contest behaviour. Biol Lett 2015; 11:rsbl.2014.1007. [PMID: 25808004 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2014.1007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We review the evidence for a link between consistent among-individual variation in behaviour (animal personality) and the ability to win contests over limited resources. Explorative and bold behaviours often covary with contest behaviour and outcome, although there is evidence that the structure of these 'behavioural syndromes' can change across situations. Aggression itself is typically repeatable, but also subject to high within-individual variation as a consequence of plastic responses to previous fight outcomes and opponent traits. Common proximate mechanisms (gene expression, endocrine control and metabolic rates) may underpin variation in both contest behaviour and general personality traits. Given the theoretical links between the evolution of fighting and of personality, we suggest that longitudinal studies of contest behaviour, combining behavioural and physiological data, would be a useful context for the study of animal personalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Briffa
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL3 8AA, UK
| | - Lynne U Sneddon
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, BioScience Building, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Alastair J Wilson
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| |
Collapse
|