The hidden links between animal weapons, fighting style, and their effect on contest success: a meta‐analysis

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 97(5), С. 1948 - 1966

Опубликована: Июль 4, 2022

ABSTRACT In many species that fight over resources, individuals use specialized structures to gain a mechanical advantage their rivals during contests (i.e. weapons). Although weapons are widespread across animals, how they affect the probability of winning is still debated. According theory, understanding weapon function essential to: ( i ) its importance in determining winner, and ii identifying what traits (e.g. length versus shape performance) most relevant for contest success. However, quantitative evaluations affects extent which influence success lacking. Here, we first develop an individual‐based model evaluate increasing winner translates differences between winners losers. Then, meta‐analysis identify: whether different measures outcome differently; animals fights – i.e. function; iii if correlates outcome. Our showed that, as increased chance mean difference losers also increased. Therefore, our used trait proxy The literature search identified 49 suitable studies, containing information 52 species, totalling 107 effect sizes. Four main patterns emerged. First, focuses on linear weapons, while performance concentrated Crustacea Squamata; other types were rare. Second, measurements greater than when all combined (and only subset). Third, bear almost always perform visual/tactile displays before engaging physical contact. And fourth, way display did not size outcomes, fighting style predicted would be higher. Species push or lift (even with functions) compared impact, pierce, pull squeeze. Overall, results show have incomplete animal built mostly few select taxa. Thus, should start focusing measuring according wider diversity species. One forward conduct studies integrate morphology ensure ecologically variables.

Язык: Английский

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The prevalence of weapon damage: a proportional meta-analysis

Animal Behaviour, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 222, С. 123117 - 123117

Опубликована: Март 17, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Effects of Intraspecific and Interspecific Indirect Competition on Foraging Activity in Subtropical Facultative and Obligatory Shredder Organisms

Austral Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 50(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

ABSTRACT While the recognised influence of resource competition on structure aquatic ecosystems is well‐established, its effects allochthonous matter dynamics in streams, particularly regarding interspecific and intraspecific indirect competition, remain understudied inadequately understood. In this investigation, we explored impacts leaf litter consumption by shredder organisms Phylloicus spp. Aegla The were evaluated through a microcosm experimental setup, comprised two controls three treatments: (i) control competition‐free; (ii) (iii) within ; (iv) (v) competition. competition‐free controls, single organism occupied 2 L microcosm, whereas competitive pressure treatments, introduced into 4 with 0.05‐mm mesh partition. Our findings revealed that had disproportionately higher impact , more pronounced effect . demonstrated superior shredding efficiency compared to possibly due 's broader feeding range distinctive utilisation strategies. presence potential competitors led reduced rates highlighting sensitivity Furthermore, predatory behaviour cannibalism likely intensified species. These results underscore pivotal role shaping banks, ultimately influencing plant fragmentation ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

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Function predicts the allometry of contest-related traits, but not sexual or male dimorphism in the amazonian tusked harvestman

Evolutionary Ecology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 36(4), С. 605 - 630

Опубликована: Фев. 15, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Evolution of horn length and lifting strength in the Japanese rhinoceros beetle Trypoxylus dichotomus

Current Biology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 33(20), С. 4285 - 4297.e5

Опубликована: Сен. 20, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Linking Neotropical riparian and stream food webs: nocturnal foraging behavior and facilitation among decapods in response to added palm fruit

Hydrobiologia, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 851(16), С. 3821 - 3839

Опубликована: Март 25, 2024

Язык: Английский

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From Telson to Attack in Mantis Shrimp: Bridging Biomechanics and Behavior in Crustacean Contests

Integrative and Comparative Biology, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 61(2), С. 643 - 654

Опубликована: Май 9, 2021

In the spirit of this symposium on physical mechanisms behavior, we review mantis shrimp ritualized fighting, from telson to attack, as an inspiring example how integration biomechanics and behavioral research can yield a penetrating narrative for animals accomplish important activities, including agonistic actions. Resolving conflicts with conspecifics over valuable resources is essential task animals, takes unusual form in due their powerful raptorial appendages. Decades field laboratory have provided key insights into natural interactions diverse species, they use weapons against one another sparring matches cavities. These foundation functional morphologists, biomechanists, engineers work through different levels organization: kinematics appendages move elastic that power strike, down structure, composition, material properties transmit protect high-impact forces. Completing are studies defensive structure biomechanically matched weapon role it plays fighting. The biomechanical understanding defense has, turn, enabled better whether assess during contests encouraged questions evolutionary drivers both arsenal behavior. Altogether, body focused has presented perhaps most comprehensive weapons, defenses among crustaceans, morphology behavior evolution. While multi-level analysis fighting comprehensive, implore need include additional obtain truly holistic other crustacean interactions. Specifically, molting environmental conditions often missing narrative, yet greatly affect defenses, Applying approach more broadly would generate similarly profound crustaceans carry out variety tasks habitats.

Язык: Английский

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Fighting does not influence the morphological integration of crustacean claws (Decapoda: Aeglidae)

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 136(1), С. 173 - 186

Опубликована: Фев. 26, 2022

Abstract Animal weapons are generally complex systems composed of more than one structure. A crab’s claw, for instance, is a dactyl (a movable finger) and propodus (where the muscle resides). Any weapon feature that increases winning probability also an individual’s fitness, meaning all moving parts will be under same selective force—increasing their integration. By comparing to homologous structures not used fighting, we can test whether fighting morphological Here, tested hypothesis by right (non-fighting) left (fighting) claws males Aegla. First, if shape size differed between claws. Then, compared degree We showed in size, but both similarly high levels This pattern occur selection favours adequate squeeze on claws, even though squeezing performance might differ Nevertheless, important determining integration claw it has been greatly ignored crustacean studies its study increase our knowledge evolution.

Язык: Английский

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Male crayfish (Faxonius obscurus, Decapoda: Cambaridae) claws are longer and stronger yet comparable in shape during the reproductive season

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 139(1), С. 57 - 69

Опубликована: Март 31, 2023

Abstract Animal weapons are diverse and often exaggerated structures associated with sexual selection male–male combat. Despite their diversity, our knowledge of these comes primarily from studies that focus on the size neglect other components, such as shape or performance. Furthermore, can exhibit species-level plasticity based nutrition ecological variables, but few have documented seasonal variation in weapon plasticity. Here, we investigate how size, performance differ across adult male reproductive non-reproductive Allegheny crayfish, Faxonius obscurus. Given F. obscurus cambarid crayfishes cyclical moulting between states, they provide an ideal system which to questions. We found claws all three components investigated; males were longer, stronger different compared males. Wielding longer is likely confer greater competitive success during mating season, demonstrates unexplored pattern discuss results considering seasonality phenotypes propose several avenues future research using crayfish a model system.

Язык: Английский

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Harder, better, faster, stronger: Weapon size is more sexually dimorphic than weapon biomechanical components in two freshwater anomuran species

Journal of Morphology, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 281(9), С. 1098 - 1109

Опубликована: Июль 18, 2020

Abstract Sexual selection influences the evolution of morphological traits that increase likelihood monopolizing scarce resources. When such are used during contests, they termed weapons. Given resources typically linked to mating partners, theory expects only males bear In some species, however, females also weapons, although smaller than male Understanding why weapons can thus help us understand selective pressures behind weapon evolution. However, most our knowledge comes from studies on size, while biomechanics as size muscles, efficiency, and shape seldom studied. Our goal was test if theoretical expectations for sexual dimorphism occur using two aeglid crab species. Males both species had larger claws which were stronger female claws. Male more efficient females' (although we one in this analysis). For shape, though, differed mean claw shape. Regarding scaling differences, higher females, a scaling. did not have regarding strength efficiency females. Thus, apparently allocate but once allocated, muscle follow similar developmental pathway sexes. Taken together, results show involves differences size. Shape especially intriguing because cannot fully its causes. Yet, highlight subtle be detected by measuring analysing biomechanical components. Only then might better how forged.

Язык: Английский

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