Cannibalism as an interacting phenotype: precannibalistic aggression is influenced by social partners in the endangered Socorro Isopod (Thermosphaeroma thermophilum).

摘要: Models for the evolution of cannibalism highlight importance asymmetries between individuals in initiating cannibalistic attacks. Studies may include measures body size but typically group into size/age classes or compare populations. Such broad comparisons obscure details interactions that ultimately determine how socially contingent characteristics evolve. We propose understanding is facilitated by using an interacting phenotypes perspective includes influences phenotype a social partner on behaviour focal individual and focuses variation pairwise interactions. investigated relative size, composite trait its partner, sex partners influenced precannibalistic aggression endangered Socorro isopod, Thermosphaeroma thermophilum. also whether differences mating interest among males females mixed pairs. studied these questions three populations differ markedly range opportunities individuals. found probability latency to attack. observed likelihood attack based both individual's no evidence sexual conflict. The instigation isopods therefore property partner. Our results suggest models would be improved incorporating new conditional ψ, which describes strength partner's influence behaviour.