Chapter 31, Problem 33A

Summary Introduction

To write:

Hypothesis for the reason for agonistic behavior.

Introduction:

Any social behavior which is related to fighting is known as agonistic behavior. Agonistic behavior has a wider meaning than aggressive behavior because it includes displays, placation, retreats, threats and conciliation. Agonistic behavior is seen in animals which are competing for the same resources for example food or mates.

Explanation of Solution

Agonistic behavior occurs in animals which are competing for the same resource for example food or mates. Here from the graph it is clear the dominance male will perform more number of matings because they attract the females more by showing off to the females or by threatening the weaker ones. For example in Paracerceis sculpta is an isopod that lives in sponges have three types of male alpha, beta and gamma. Out of these alpha is of largest size and due to this they have dominance over other two and thus, alpha male performs more mating.

Conclusion

Reason for this behavior is to attract females for mating.