Sequential assessment in contests among common freshwater goby, Rhinogobius brunneus (Pisces, Gobiidae)

The sequential assessment model describes a fight between two conspecific as an ongoing statistical sampling process, which makes it possible to predict fight length or repetition number of a behavioral element depending on relative RHP (resource holding potential; e.g. weight or fighting ability). We staged contests between males of common freshwater gobies to test some predictions of this model. Fights proceeded in a consistent sequence of phases. Most contests began with two contestants adopting lateral display, and then escalated to intense physical contacts. The length of contests was negatively correlated with weight difference between the contestants. The duration of complete phases was, however, independent of weight, and the prior information gained during complete phases did not appear to affect subsequent phases of the fight. Our results show that the contests of common freshwater gobies are well predicted by the sequential assessment model.

Key words:

• Fighting behavior
• Sequential assessment
• model
• Resource holding potential
• Rhinogobius brunneus
• Gobiidae

Notes

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