Assessment strategies and fighting patterns in animal contests： a role for serotonin？

作     者：Andrew N. BUBAK Alison R. GERKEN Michael J. WATT Jamie D, COSTABILE Kenneth J. RENNER John G. SWALLOW 

作者机构：Integrative Biology University of Colorado-Denver Denver CO 80217-3364 USA Molecular Genetics and Microbiology University of Florida Gainesville FL 32611 USA Center for Brain and Behavior Research Basic Biomedical Sciences University of South Dakota Vermillion SD 57069 USA Biology Department University of South Dakota Vermillion SD 57069 USA 

出 版 物：《Current Zoology》 (动物学报（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2016年第62卷第3期

页      面：257-263页

核心收录：

学科分类：12[管理学] 1201[管理学-管理科学与工程(可授管理学、工学学位)] 08[工学] 080203[工学-机械设计及理论] 0802[工学-机械工程] 

基　　金：funded by NSF 

主　　题：aggression assessment fighting strategies serotonin monoamines resource-holding potential. 

摘      要：Accurate assessment of the probability of success in an aggressive confrontation with a conspecific is critical to the survival and fitness of the individuals. Various game theory models have examined these assessment strategies under the assumption that contests should favor the animal with the greater resource-holding potential （RHP）, body size typically being the proxy. Mutual assessment asserts that an individual can assess their own RHP relative to their opponent, allowing the inferior animal the chance to flee before incurring unnecessary costs. The model of self-determined persistence, however, assumes that an individual will fight to a set personal threshold, independ- ent of their opponent＇s RHP. Both models have been repeatedly tested using size as a proxy for RHP, with neither receiving unambiguous support. Here we present both morphological and neuro- physiological data from size-matched and mismatched stalk-eyed fly fights. We discovered differ- ing fighting strategies between winners and losers. Winners readily escalated encounters to higher intensity and physical contact and engaged in less low-intensity, posturing behaviors compared with losers. Although these fighting strategies were largely independent of size, they were associ- ated with elevated levels of 5-HT. Understanding the neurophysiological factors responsible for mediating the motivational state of opponents could help resolve the inconsistencies seen in cur- rent game theory models. Therefore, we contend that current studies using only size as a proxy for RHP may be inadequate in determining the intricacies of fighting ability and that future studies investigating assessment strategies and contest outcome should include neurophysiological data.