Rubyspot Territorial Damselflies Behave as “Nasty Neighbors”

摘要: Two mutually-excluding hypotheses explain the intensity of aggression between neighbors and their non-neighbors in territorial animals. On one hand, “dear enemy” hypothesis predicts that animals should be more tolerant towards than non-neighbors. Conversely, “nasty neighbor” increased These different situations depend on who is likely to a real competitor, either neighbor or non-neighbor, resource competition. Male damselfly Hetaerina vulnerata defend riverine, mating territories main way have access females. are not fixed so males continuously them especially against neighbors. Given this, we tested whether nasty principle operates this species. We monitored population during an entire season, recorded duration aggressive behaviors. As key prediction hypothesis, expected such behaviors last for longer when encountering conspecific non-neighbor. also predicted date-dependent as competition could increase middle season male density at its highest. Our results corroborated lasted non-neighbor but there was effect date. Thus, may pose greater risk strong selective force terms Since trying widen territory boundaries (a situation has been found other study systems), owner even need recognize his fight back.