Dear Enemy Recognition and the Costs of Aggression between Salamanders

摘要: Adult male and female red-backed salamanders, Plethodon cinereus, employ "dear enemy" recognition, such that individuals are less aggressive (threat displays biting) more submissive toward familiar territorial neighbors than strangers. Pheromones used to distinguish from unfamiliar conspecifics. This behavior reduces the likelihood of escalated contests between neighbors. When combat does occur, bites usually directed at two most vulnerable parts an opponent's body. An attack tail might lead autotomy organ, with resultant loss fat reserves. Injury nasolabial grooves on snout leads impairment their chemosensory function, resulting in reduced capture rate during foraging perhaps ability locate mates competitors. Dear enemy recognition probably is evolutionary response high cost low payoff aggression among