Experience shapes accuracy in territorial decision-making in a poison frog

Sonnleitner, Ria; Ringler, Max; Loretto, Matthias‐Claudio; Ringler, Eva

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2020.0094

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…For each model, we included the SPL, but also the trial number, and the individual size as fixed effects, to account for habituation and effect of body size on aggressive responses. Previous studies have shown that age influences the accuracy of aggressive responses in A. femoralis, and that body size is positively correlated to age (Ursprung et al, 2011b;Sonnleitner et al, 2020). In all models ID was included as random effect to account for repeated measurements.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Repeatable Territorial Aggression in a Neotropical Poison Frog

et al. 2022

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Intra-specific aggressive interactions play a prominent role in the life of many animals. While studies have found evidence for repeatability in boldness, activity, and exploration in amphibians, we know relatively little about consistent among-individual variation in aggressiveness, despite its importance for male-male competition and territoriality. Amphibians, and Neotropical poison frogs (Dendrobatidae) in particular, are highly suitable for investigating among-individual variation in aggressiveness, as most species exhibit strong territoriality in at least one of the sexes. In the present study, we aimed to fill this gap in knowledge, by investigating within- and between-individual variation in territorial aggression in a semi-natural population of the Neotropical poison frog Allobates femoralis (Dendrobatidae) in French Guiana. We conducted repeated, standardized behavioral tests to assess if the level of territorial aggression is consistent within and different between individuals. Further, we tested a possible link between body size and level of territorial aggression. We found moderate repeatability in territorial aggressiveness, but no link to age and/or body size. In conclusion, our study represents the first documentation of repeatable aggressive behavior in a territorial context in amphibians.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Repeatable Territorial Aggression in a Neotropical Poison Frog

et al. 2022

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“…femoralis males, playbacks alone may be enough to provoke a phonotactic reaction followed by an androgen response, but the intensity of phonotactic approach may depend on the combination of acoustic and visual signals (see also Sonnleitner et al 2020). Further experiments on the hormonal and behavioural response to territorial intrusions in territorial frogs may profit from the combination of playbacks and robotic frog models in order to create more realistic situations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although A. femoralis males are strongly territorial and usually males jump towards the sound source in playback experiments (Hödl, 1983), they require to be confronted by bimodal signals (acoustic and visual) in order to display physical attacks (Narins et al, 2003). Thus, in A. femoralis males, playbacks alone may be enough to provoke a phonotactic reaction followed by an androgen response, but the intensity of phonotactic approach may depend on the combination of acoustic and visual signals (see also Sonnleitner et al 2020). Further experiments on the hormonal and behavioural response to territorial intrusions in territorial frogs may profit from the combination of playbacks and robotic frog models in order to create more realistic situations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Androgen responsiveness to simulated territorial intrusions inAllobates femoralismales: evidence supporting the challenge hypothesis in a territorial frog

Rodríguez

Fusani

Raboisson

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Territorial behaviour has been widely described across many animal taxa, where the acquisition and defence of a territory are critical for the fitness of an individual. Extensive evidence suggests that androgens (e.g. testosterone) are involved in the modulation of territorial behaviour in male vertebrates. Short-term increase of androgen following a territorial encounter appears to favour the outcome of a challenge. The “Challenge Hypothesis” proposed by Wingfield and colleagues outlines the existence of a positive feedback relationship between androgen and social challenges (e.g. territorial intrusions) in male vertebrates. Here we tested the challenge hypothesis in the highly territorial poison frog, Allobates femoralis, in its natural habitat by exposing males to simulated territorial intrusions in form of acoustic playbacks. We quantified repeatedly androgen concentrations of individual males via a non-invasive water-borne sampling approach. Our results show that A. femoralis males exhibited a positive behavioural and androgenic response after being confronted to simulated territorial intrusions, providing support for the Challenge Hypothesis in a territorial frog.

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“…Territory holders typically respond to calling intruders by orientating their head/body and jumping towards the intruder. If an intruder does not retreat and continues calling, the territory holder might escalate the conflict and start wrestling with the intruder 26 , 42 , 44 – 46 . We used a loudspeaker with an integrated music player (MUVO 2c, Creative, Singapore) for playbacks.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regardless of personality, males show similar levels of plasticity in territory defense in a Neotropical poison frog

Peignier

Bégué

Ringler

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Animal personality traits are sometimes linked to an individual’s degree of plasticity, with certain personality types being more plastic than others. In territorial species, consistently high levels of aggression might increase the risk of harmful fights, while consistently low aggression might lead to the loss of a territory. Consequently, reacting plastically with an appropriate territorial response should be beneficial to avoid these risks. An integrative investigation of both personality traits and plasticity can help us better understand the dynamics of aggressive interactions during male-male competition. Here, we used a free-ranging Neotropical poison frog population to investigate the role of plasticity in male territorial aggression towards intruders. We conducted repeated standardized territorial intrusion experiments mimicking frogs of different body sizes via playback calls with different peak frequencies. We found individual repeatability for the latency to reach and approach a simulated intruder and observed that both aggressive and less aggressive males decreased their level of aggression towards big intruders. However, our results do not support a correlation between personality and plasticity in the context of male territory defense during the breeding season. We discuss how such a correlation between personality and plasticity might be conditional on the costs and benefits across contexts.

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Experience shapes accuracy in territorial decision-making in a poison frog

Cited by 9 publications

References 41 publications

Repeatable Territorial Aggression in a Neotropical Poison Frog

Repeatable Territorial Aggression in a Neotropical Poison Frog

Androgen responsiveness to simulated territorial intrusions inAllobates femoralismales: evidence supporting the challenge hypothesis in a territorial frog

Regardless of personality, males show similar levels of plasticity in territory defense in a Neotropical poison frog

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