Agonistic behaviour in male and female field crickets, Gryllus bimaculatus, and how behavioural context influences its expression

Author: Adamo, S.A.; Hoy, R.R.

Description: Previous interactions with conspecifics influenced the pattern, frequency and intensity of agonistic behaviour in the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. Tactile contact appeared to be the most important sensory cue responsible for the observed shifts in behaviour. Contact with other adult males promoted the production of aggressive song both during and after fights between males. However, individually housed males and males with restricted contact with conspecifics (once per day for 5 days) produced their aggressive song only at the end of an agonistic encounter. These two patterns of agonistic behaviour may reflect alternate fighting strategies. Prior experience influences whether sensory cues from a conspecific will initate agonistic behaviour. After males lost a fight, they displayed no further agonistic behaviour for 10 min but then gradually recovered their agonistic behaviour within an hour. This may be an important mechanism in preventing losing males from re-engaging a more powerful rival. Females were much less likely than males to attack conspecifics when food was plentiful. When food was scarce, females fought more often, and more successfully, than males for the contested resource.

Subject Headings: Agnostic behavior; Field crickets; Expression; Gryllus bimaculatus; Fighting

Publication year: 1995

Journal or book title: Animal Behaviour

Volume: 49

Issue: 6

Pages: 1491-1501

Find the full text : https://www.reed.edu/biology/professors/srenn/pages/teaching/2010_syllabus/2010_readings/Adamo_Hoy_1995.pdf

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Type: Journal Article

Serial number: 2250