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The role of size and aggression in intrasexual male competition in a social lizard species, Egernia whitii
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 14:57 authored by Joanne McEvoyJoanne McEvoy, Geoffrey WhileGeoffrey While, Sinn, DL, Erik WapstraErik WapstraCompetition between males is a key component of the agonistic intrasexual interactions that influence resource acquisition, social system dynamics, and ultimately reproductive success. Sexual selection theory predicts that traits that enhance success in intrasexual competition (particularly male–male competition) should be favored. In vertebrates, this often includes body size and aggression, with larger and/or more aggressive males outcompeting smaller or less aggressive conspecifics. The majority of studies consider aggression as a flexible trait which responds to local social or environmental conditions. However, aggression frequently shows considerable within-individual consistency (i.e., individuals have identifiable aggressive behavioral types). Little is known about how such consistency in aggression may influence competition outcomes. We integrated a detailed field study with a laboratory experiment to examine how a male’s aggressive phenotype and his size influence competitive interactions in Egernia whitii, a social lizard species which exhibits strong competition over resources (limited permanent shelter sites and basking sites). Individual aggression and size did not predict competition outcome in the laboratory nor did they predict home range size, overlap, or reproductive success in the field. However, winners of laboratory trial contests maintained consistent aggressive phenotypes while consistency in aggression was lost in losers. We suggest that aggression may be important in other functional contexts, such as parental care, and that alternative traits, such as fighting experience, may be important in determining competition outcome in this species.
Funding
Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment
History
Publication title
Behavioral Ecology and SociobiologyVolume
67Pagination
79-90ISSN
0340-5443Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
SpringerPlace of publication
Heidelberg, GermanyRights statement
Copyright 2012 Springer-VerlagRepository Status
- Restricted