Social Behaviour in Animals

Abstract

A very refreshing book. Breezes through classic ethological ideas from example to example. Very clear presentation of concepts. Species advantage arguments are sprinkled throughout (such as that fighting is costly to the individual but beneficial to the species b/c it spaces individuals out thereby forcing them to take full advantage of existing resources.) The following are just a few selected ideas that caught my attention: Functions of mating behavior apart from actual insemination: synchronization, persuasion, orientation, and reproductive isolation (from other species) p. 23. With respect to the last function, Tinbergen argues convincingly that interspp mating is highly unlikely in species with elaborate courtship. In sticklebacks, e.g., at each step in the courtship sequence the female's response triggers the male to enter the next phase. Synchronization and orientation require the members of the pair to respond appropriately to each other. If these responses are innate, then it would seem quite unlikely that an allospp pair would get very far. Tinbergen suggests there is a general reluctance among animals to engage in physical contact. He attributes this to antipredation selection. In any case, if such an inhibition exists, courtship must overcome it. In species in which males are aggressive against other males, females would do well to "appease" males in order to avoid being attacked themselves. Females would thus be expected to use gestures etc. opposite those of males (he cites some poss examples).