The social context of a territorial dispute differentially influences the way individuals in breeding pairs coordinate their aggressive tactics

摘要: In diverse species, individuals coordinate behavior to accomplish shared goals or tasks. Such coordination, however, often occurs selectively, and the contextual information animals use determine when they do not is unclear. We investigate this issue in highly territorial downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) by exploring how within a social breeding pair differentially modulate coordinated aggressive responses during graded simulated intrusions (STIs). Analyses show that resident pairs mount more robust response STIs represent greater threat. Moreover, context, members produce contact vocalizations way predicts their partner’s behavior. also that, presented with low threat, first respond decrease output once partner attends stimulus; partner, turn, increases levels of This does occur high-threat STIs, where both partners maintain high aggression throughout entire encounter. Together, these results flexibly adjust tactics different competitive contexts, includes adjusting which certain aspects agonistic repertoire. speculate ability reflects an adaptive mechanism allows fine-tune reduce overall costs aggression. Although research has demonstrated common tasks, little known about factors such coordination it not. address for time testing level threat associated interaction influences defensive find facing intruders pose residents number produced partner. By contrast, relationship observed face relatively lower Our data therefore provide striking evidence depends on residents’ appraisal fiercer competition behavioral coordination.