Loser effects in copperhead snakes Winner and loser effects
agkistrodon contortrix, known copperhead snake
copperhead snakes rely on aggressive behaviours fight perspective mate. since aggressive behaviours in species selected reproduction, winner , loser effects have effect on these aggressive behaviours , therefore animals reproductive success. male copperhead snakes, have not had aggressive interaction in months, when put in situation fight female win encounter on basis body size larger of other fighter.
when copperhead snakes tested see if winner effects affect ability win encounter found there no winner effect. attributed winners accept challenges other males (even if larger), , found more excitable because of this. indicated previous experience in winners not increase ability reproduce lose fight if snake of larger size challenges them.
copperhead snakes tested see if loser effects present. done first placing 2 neutral snakes of same size in arena, , placing 1 time loser snake against neutral snake results compared. found loser effects present snakes had lost previous encounters more lose again. losing effect in copperhead snake strong in encounters loser snake 10% larger, lose if had more 1 previous loss.
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