Aggressiveness as a component of fighting ability in pigs using a game-theoretical framework

摘要: Understanding animal contests has benefited greatly from employing the concept of fighting ability, termed resource-holding potential (RHP), with body size/weight typically used as a proxy. However, victory does not always go to larger/heavier contestant and existing RHP approach thereby fails accurately predict contest outcome. Aggressiveness, studied personality trait, might explain part this discrepancy. We investigated whether aggressiveness forms component RHP, examining effects on outcome, duration phases, plus physiological measures costs (lactate glucose). Furthermore, using correct theoretical framework, we provide first study investigate individuals gather use information an assessment strategy. Pigs, Sus scrofa, were assessed for in resident–intruder tests whereby attack latency reflects aggressiveness. Contests then staged between size-matched animals diverging Individuals short test almost initiated bite fight subsequent contest. had no direct effect whereas initiation did lead winning without escalated fight. This indirect suggests that is but rather signal intent. Winner loser affect or its separate suggesting A greater asymmetry prolonged displaying, which direction contrary models based morphological traits. Blood lactate glucose increased peaked during fights, highlighting utility proxies cost. Integrating traits into behaviour, illustrated here, will enhance our understanding subtleties agonistic interactions.