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Abstract

We review the evidence for a link between consistent among-individual variation in behaviour (animal personality) and the ability to win contests over limited resources. Explorative and bold behaviours often covary with contest behaviour and outcome, although there is evidence that the structure of these 'behavioural syndromes' can change across situations. Aggression itself is typically repeatable, but also subject to high within-individual variation as a consequence of plastic responses to previous fight outcomes and opponent traits. Common proximate mechanisms (gene expression, endocrine control and metabolic rates) may underpin variation in both contest behaviour and general personality traits. Given the theoretical links between the evolution of fighting and of personality, we suggest that longitudinal studies of contest behaviour, combining behavioural and physiological data, would be a useful context for the study of animal personalities.

DOI

10.1098/rsbl.2014.1007

Publication Date

2015-03-01

Publication Title

Biol Lett

Volume

11

Issue

3

Embargo Period

2016-03-01

Organisational Unit

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Keywords

aggression, contest, fight, personality, repeatability, Aggression, Animals, Basal Metabolism, Behavior, Animal, Biological Evolution, Competitive Behavior, Endocrine System, Gene Expression, Personality

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