Bystander fallow deer engage in third-party behaviour based on similarities in contestant resource-holding potential

Jennings, Dómhnall J.; Gammell, Martin P.

doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.06.005

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 87 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…These latter two ideas have been formally expressed by models of contest behaviour that stress information gathering as a strategic requirement [2,3], and several studies have shown that this is the case. For example, difference in antler size predicts whether roe deer will escalate to fighting [10], while third-party males use discrepancy in antler size between fighting opponents to decide whether to intervene in contests [70]. A key feature of the signal value of these structures involves the cost of production with individuals experiencing physiological exhaustion during the growth phase [28,32].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fluctuating Asymmetry of Fallow Deer Antlers Is Associated with Weapon Damage but Not Tactical Behaviour during Fights

Jennings

Gammell

2023

Symmetry

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The horns and antlers borne by the males of many species of ungulate are considered to be both badges of quality, and armaments for use during intraspecific combat. Underpinning arguments concerning their dual utility is the idea that these structures should be costly to produce in order that the signal value of the structure is maintained. In agreement with such theorising is the belief that fluctuating asymmetry (FA), small deviations from symmetry around a mean of zero, measures individual quality as it represents the ability of the individual to withstand stress. We investigated whether the antlers of fallow deer indicated something of the quality of the bearer by assessing whether the degree of antler FA was associated with breakage (i.e., badge of quality) or with tactical investment in fighting (i.e., armament). We show the anticipated relationship between FA and antler damage, however, there was no relationship between FA and contest tactics. The present study, therefore, shows partial support for the idea that the magnitude of fluctuating asymmetry expressed by weaponry is related to individual quality.

show abstract