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Damage from intraspecific combat is costly

Author

Listed:
  • Zachary Emberts
  • Ummat Somjee
  • John J Wiens

Abstract

When individuals engage in fights with conspecifics over access to resources, injuries can occur. Most theoretical models suggest that the costs associated with these injuries should influence an individual’s decision to retreat from a fight. Thus, damage from intraspecific combat is frequently noted and quantified. However, the fitness-related costs associated with this damage are not. Quantifying the cost of fighting-related damage is important because most theoretical models assume that it is the cost associated with the damage (not the damage itself) that should influence an individual’s decision to retreat. Here, we quantified the cost of fighting-related injuries in the giant mesquite bug, Thasus neocalifornicus. We demonstrate that experimentally simulated fighting injuries result in metabolic costs and costs to flight performance. We also show that flight costs are more severe when the injuries are larger. Overall, our results provide empirical support for the fundamental assumption that damage acquired during intraspecific combat is costly.

Suggested Citation

  • Zachary Emberts & Ummat Somjee & John J Wiens, 2021. "Damage from intraspecific combat is costly," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 32(6), pages 1240-1245.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:beheco:v:32:y:2021:i:6:p:1240-1245.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/beheco/arab090
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tara Lynne Maginnis, 2006. "The costs of autotomy and regeneration in animals: a review and framework for future research," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 17(5), pages 857-872, September.
    2. Alexandre V. Palaoro & Mark Briffa, 2017. "Weaponry and defenses in fighting animals: how allometry can alter predictions from contest theory," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 28(1), pages 328-336.
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