chapter 17

a behavior that is intended to inflict noxious stimulation or destruction on another organism

aggression

steroid linked to the prenatal and postnatal development of the male gender and physique, which has been linked on average to more physical aggression in many species

testosterone

outlines the dynamic relationship between plasma testosterone levels and aggression in mating contexts in many species

Challenge Hypothesis

most abundant circulating androgen hormone and can be rapidly metabolized into potent androgens and estrogens

DHEA

generally regulate aggression during breeding season

gonadal steroids

may regulate aggression during non-breeding season

non-gonadal steroids

chronic reduction of corticosterone levels

abnormally aggressive behavior

affect development of aggression and establishment of social hierarchies

adrenal glands, fight-or-flight response

glucocorticoids

reduced levels of cortisol

lower fear or reduced stress, can be associated with more aggression

any social behavior related to fighting

intraspecific

agonistic behavior

most common form of agonistic behavior

ritualistic/display behaviors

any behavior that signifies hostility or intent to attack another animal

threat behavior

form of aggression that escalates from an indecisive threat display

agonistic fighting

an individual indicating by an act or posture that it will not challenge a dominant individual in a social group

submissive behavior

an area in which an animal carries out most of its normal activities

home range

central area where animal spends most of its time

cone area

any sociographical area that an animal of a particular species consistently defends against conspecifics

territory

territoriality will be favored when resources is moderately abundant

resource abundance

territoriality will be favored when the resource is moderately aggregated in its distribution

resource distribution

the number of other individuals willing to compete for a resource will help to determine if it is beneficial to hold a territory

intruder pressure