Abstract
Abstract Aggression is costly, and animals have evolved tactics to mitigate these costs. Submission signals are an underappreciated example of such adaptations. Here we review submissive behaviour, with an emphasis on non-primates. We highlight the design of submission signals and how such signals can reduce costs. Animal societies necessitate frequent social interactions, which can increase the probability of conflict. Where maintaining group proximity is essential, animals cannot avoid aggression by fleeing. Mutual interest between group members may also select for efficient conflict avoidance and resolution mechanisms. As a result, submission signals may be especially well developed among group living species, helping social animals to overcome potential costs of recurring conflict that could otherwise counter the benefits of group living. Therefore, submission signalling can be a crucial aspect of social living and is deserving of specific attention within the broader context of social evolution and communication.
Highlights
IntroductionConflict between conspecifics is unavoidable, because they compete for access to limited resources necessary to survive
There is a rich tradition of studying agonism in ethology and behavioural ecology (Baerends & Baerends-Van Roon, 1950; Lorenz, 1966; Maynard Smith, 1974; Huntingford et al, 1987; Archer, 1988; Wilson, 2000; Hardy & Briffa, 2013)
Most of this research effort has been directed towards understanding aggressive behaviour, while submissive behaviour has received far less consideration
Summary
Conflict between conspecifics is unavoidable, because they compete for access to limited resources necessary to survive. Most of this research effort has been directed towards understanding aggressive behaviour, while submissive behaviour has received far less consideration. In both classic and recent books on animal conflict, little specific consideration is given to submissive behaviour (Huntingford et al, 1987; Hardy & Briffa, 2013). The study of submissive behaviour provides fertile ground to answer questions about conflict resolution, the evolution of communication, signal design, and social information use. We hope to encourage experimental approaches, as well as observational studies, to investigate submission in a diversity of animals, to help further understand the evolution of agonism across social species
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