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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.
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Chen ZY, Lin CP, Hsu Y. Stag beetle Cyclommatus mniszechi employs both mutual- and self-assessment strategies in male-male combat. Behav Processes 2022; 202:104750. [PMID: 36067873 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Animals may base contest decisions on their fighting ability alone (self-assessment) or also their opponents' (mutual assessment). Many male stag beetles develop disproportionately enlarged mandibles and use them as weapons. Information on their assessment strategy is limited. To investigate their assessment strategy and whether they adopt the same strategy at different stages of contests, we used food to encourage male Cyclommatus mniszechi of different (random pairings) or similar (ML-matched pairings) mandible length (ML) to interact. For the random pairings, losers had shorter mandibles than winners and were faster to feed. Overall contest duration and the tendency to escalate to tussles associated positively with winners' ML and average ML in the random and the ML-matched pairings, respectively, consistent with self-assessment. Non-tussle phase duration associated positively with average ML in the ML-matched pairings, consistent with self-assessment. Tussle phase duration, however, positively associated with losers' ML in the random pairings and had no association with average ML in the ML-matched pairings, consistent with mutual assessment. These results show that (1) the males employ both assessment strategies, (2) winners have more control over contest intensity than losers, and (3) males with shorter mandibles are quicker to feed and also more likely to lose fights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Yi Chen
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Section 4, Tingzhou Rd., Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Ping Lin
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Section 4, Tingzhou Rd., Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Yuying Hsu
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Section 4, Tingzhou Rd., Taipei 11677, Taiwan.
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Palaoro AV, Peixoto PEC. The hidden links between animal weapons, fighting style, and their effect on contest success: a meta‐analysis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1948-1966. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre V. Palaoro
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia e Evolução Universidade Federal de São Paulo Rua Prof. Artur Riedel 66 Diadema São Paulo State 99722‐270 Brazil
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia Universidade de São Paulo Rua do Matão Trav. 14 São Paulo São Paulo State 05508‐090 Brazil
- Department of Material Sciences and Engineering Clemson University 490 Sirrine Hall, 515 Calhoun Dr Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Paulo Enrique Cardoso Peixoto
- LASEXIA, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Av. Antônio Carlos 6627 Belo Horizonte Minas Gerais State 31270‐901 Brazil
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Nogueira CS, Pantaleão JAF, Costa RC. Weapon shape variation of male morphotypes in two freshwater prawn species genus Macrobrachium (Decapoda: Palaemonidae). ANIM BIOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1163/15707563-bja10082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Many animal groups can develop weapons that originate from specialized modifications in different body regions. Decapods are a classic example of organisms that develop these weapons. In this group, we can find specific appendages modified to claws that are used during agonistic conflicts, as is the case between dominant and submissive male morphotypes in freshwater prawns. Our study aimed to analyze the shape, size, and morphological integration of claw components (propodus and dactyl) in male morphotypes of two freshwater prawn congeners (Macrobrachium amazonicum and M. brasiliense). Claws of the prawns were photographed and marked with landmarks and semilandmarks for the acquisition of shape variables. The shape of the propodus and dactyl was statistically different between almost all morphotypes of the two species. The size of structures differed statistically between all morphotypes. The claws of almost all morphotypes showed a high degree of morphological integration; however, statistical differences were observed only between the morphotypes of M. brasiliense. The variation in the shape and degree of morphological integration of the claws between the morphotypes of M. amazonicum was less evident when compared to the morphotypes of M. brasiliense, which may be related to distinct patterns in the development of chelipeds of each species, that is, homochely and heterochely, respectively. Thus, the exaggerated development of a cheliped (heterochely) can cause greater variation in the shape of this structure, also influencing the degree of morphological integration between its components, as evidenced in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio Santos Nogueira
- Laboratory of Biology of Marine and Freshwater Shrimps (LABCAM), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Engenheiro Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube 14-01, 17033-360, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Alberto Farinelli Pantaleão
- Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics (LBSC), Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rogerio Caetano Costa
- Laboratory of Biology of Marine and Freshwater Shrimps (LABCAM), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Engenheiro Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube 14-01, 17033-360, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
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Sell A, Sznycer D, Meyers M. The implicit rules of combat reflect the evolved function of combat: An evolutionary-psychological analysis of fairness and honor in human aggression. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.04.003] [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]
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Phased contests allow rapid hierarchy formation in paired bumble bee workers. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Almeida JGL, Peixoto PEC. In search of the perfect web? Males of the golden silk orb‐web spider
trichonephila clavipes
do not aggregate in webs of high‐quality females. Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- João Gabriel Lacerda Almeida
- Laboratório de Seleção Sexual e Interações Agonísticas (Lasexia) Departamento de Genética, Evolução Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Paulo Enrique Cardoso Peixoto
- Laboratório de Seleção Sexual e Interações Agonísticas (Lasexia) Departamento de Genética, Evolução Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
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Winner effects and switching assessment strategies facilitate fast and frugal decisions in territorial contests. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Lane SM, Briffa M. Perceived and actual fighting ability: determinants of success by decision, knockout or submission in human combat sports. Biol Lett 2020; 16:20200443. [PMID: 33108983 PMCID: PMC7655483 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal contest theory assumes individuals to possess accurate information about their own fighting ability or resource-holding potential (RHP) and, under some models, that of their opponent. However, owing to the difficulty of disentangling perceived and actual RHP in animals, how accurately individuals are able to assess RHP remains relatively unknown. Furthermore, it is not just individuals within a fight that evaluate RHP. Third-party observers evaluate the fight performance of conspecifics in order to make behavioural decisions. In human combat sports, when fights remain unresolved at the end of the allotted time, bystanders take a more active role, with judges assigning victory based on their assessment of each fighter's performance. Here, we use fight data from mixed martial arts in order to investigate whether perceived fighting performance (judges' decisions) and actual fighting success (fights ending in knockout or submission) are based on the same performance traits, specifically striking skill and vigour. Our results indicate that both performance traits are important for victory, but that vigour is more important for fights resolved via decision, even though the effect of vigour is enhanced by skill. These results suggest that while similar traits are important for fighting success across the board, vigour is overvalued in judges' perceptions of RHP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Lane
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, Animal Behaviour Research Group, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Mark Briffa
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, Animal Behaviour Research Group, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK
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Clark DL, Macedonia JM, Rowe JW, Austin MR, Centurione IM, Valle CA. Galápagos lava lizards (Microlophus bivittatus) respond dynamically to displays from interactive conspecific robots. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-019-2732-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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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.
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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
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What do we need to know to recognize a contest? Naturwissenschaften 2019; 106:32. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-019-1632-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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