Assessment of symmetry

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Assessment of symmetry

• WFSC 422 Ethology
• Presentation 5.3

Dr. Jane M. Packard, WFSC TAMU j-packard_at_tamu.edu
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Assessment- home turf advantage over intruder
(FP)
Frogwres.mpg
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PC Concept Assessment Display

• If Symmetry- both of equal strength BOB
  WILL
• neither de-escalates, or both de-escalate
• shapes learned behavior at territorial boundary
• If Asymmetry- one stronger than other BOB
  WILL
• Stronger one escalates (FP bully response)
• Weaker one de-escalates (FP whimp response)

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Symmetric assessment gazelles
Gazelle.mpg
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Asymmetry center edge of territory
Cichlid.mpg
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PC Hypotheses- assessment mechanisms

• H1 strength (age, size, temperament FP
  hulk)
• H2 territory (FP home turf)
• H3 bigger group (FP gang wars)

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Asymmetry strongerweaker
VIDEO
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Asymmetry chimp group-size advantage
Chimpwar.mpg
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UF Hypotheses Assessment display

• Computer models of asymmetric contests
• H Fixed Hawk genotype always escalated
• D Fixed Dove genotype always de-escalated
• A Flexible Assessor genotype displayed first,
  then chose escalate or de-escalate response
• Symmetrical Contest Model
• H1 if HH predict H genotype decreased (all
  killers)
• H2 if DD predict D genotype increased (no
  killers)
• Asymmetrical Contest Model H D
• H3 Fixed H increased, D was edited out
• H4 Flexible A increased, H D declined in

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SUMMARY

• PC Assessment mechanisms (H1 strength, H2
  territory, H3 group size)
• UF tested by computer models of genotypes
• Which genotype increased depended on which other
  genotypes were present
• Assessor genotypes were more likely to increase
  in models with asymmetric contests (FP turn the
  cheek)

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Action Items

• Do answers for Q5.5, Q5.6
• Search Google Scholar asymmetric contest
• Post on WebCT Discussion for Unit 5