Brains over Brawn: Experience overcomes a size disadvantage in fish social hierarchies

• DOI: 10.1242/jeb.097527
• Publication Date: 2014-01-17T04:40:56Z
• Authors: Rosa Alcazar; Austin T. Hilliard; Lisa Becker; Michael Berenaba; Russell D. Fernald
• Keywords: Affect; Disadvantage; Social status; Social Stratification; Social hierarchy; Dominance hierarchy

Summary Life experiences can alter cognitive abilities and influence social rank. Here we asked whether differences in experience could affect status. In hierarchical animal societies, high ranking males that typically win aggressive encounters gain territories hence access to mates. To understand the relative contributions of physical environment on status, used a highly territorial African cichlid fish species, Astatotilapia burtoni, lives dynamic lek-like hierarchy. A. burtoni are either dominant or submissive switch status rapidly depending local environment. Although innately aggressive, wondered they modulated their aggression based experience. We hypothesized as mature might hone fighting tactics observation other fighting. compared different ages sizes distinctly environments subsequently tested skills. found size difference previously thought negligible (<10% body length) gave significant advantage larger opponent. contrast, no evidence increasing environmental complexity affected outcomes. Surprisingly, only few days older than opponents had during disputes, being compensate for disadvantage smaller. Moreover, slightly winners exploited consistent strategy, starting with lower levels first day significantly increased second day, pattern absent younger winners. These data suggest gives an ascending learning is more important attributes territory.