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Escalated conflict in a social hierarchy
M A Cant1, S English, H K Reeve
1Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK. mac21@cam.ac.uk
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|October 4, 2006
Summary
In paper wasps, subordinates are more likely to challenge dominant individuals when reproductively suppressed or in highly productive groups. This suggests reproductive sharing stabilizes social hierarchies by reducing conflict.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Social Insects
Background:
- Cooperative animal societies often feature hierarchies where dominant individuals gain more benefits.
- Social stability relies on subordinates accepting lower status to avoid escalated conflicts with dominants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test predictions on factors influencing escalated conflict in animal hierarchies.
- Specifically, to investigate the role of reproductive suppression, group productivity, relatedness, and relative strength in paper wasp dominance contests.
Main Methods:
- Field study on co-foundress associations of the paper wasp, Polistes dominulus.
- Experimental induction of contests to assess dominance rank and escalation probability.
- Measurement of subordinate ovarian development, group productivity, relatedness, and body size.
Main Results:
- Subordinates with lower ovarian development were more likely to escalate conflict.
- Subordinates in larger, more productive groups showed increased escalation rates.
- Genetic relatedness and relative body size did not significantly affect conflict escalation.
- The original dominant typically won escalated contests.
Conclusions:
- Reproductive suppression of subordinates is a key factor increasing the likelihood of escalated conflict.
- Reproductive sharing can enhance the stability of dominant-subordinate relationships in social groups.
- Findings provide the first empirical evidence linking reproductive suppression to conflict escalation in social hierarchies.
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