Presentation Details
| Linking weapon quality and consistent individual differences in aggression in a weapon-bearing insect Christina M.Salerno1, Janice L.Yan1, Noraly M.M.E.van Meer1, Phil G.Hahn1, Christine W.Miller2. 1Entomology & Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.2Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, United Kingdom |
Abstract
Aggression is widespread in animals and often occurs among conspecifics competing for resources. Although aggression strongly influences fitness, it varies among individuals as consistent individual differences (CID). CID is shaped by many contexts, including social interactions (e.g., opponent behavior) and resource holding potential (RHP, e.g., energy or physical traits). These contexts influence fitness independently and jointly, though few studies integrate them to understand the costs of CID. Here we reared the leaf-footed cactus bug on different diets to vary RHP and track its influence on CID in aggression in dyadic contests. We examined two parts of aggression: initiation and intensity. Individuals differed consistently in initiating aggression, with 78% of variation explained by the individual. Males with bigger weapons were less likely to initiate. During a fight, opponent identity mattered more in predicting intensity. Weapon mass did not affect intensity, but low-quality diets reduced aggression by 25%. Overall, individuals show stable aggression strategies, while social context and condition shape their expression across contest stages.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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