Dominance

What is dominance?

The ability of an individual to assert itself over others to gain access to limited resources.

How does a submissive animal behave toward a dominant one?

It yields and avoids escalating conflict.

Why don’t group members fight every time they meet?

Stable dominance relationships reduce repeated conflict.

What traits influence dominance rank?

Size, strength, experience, and associations with high-ranking individuals.

What happened when two junco flocks merged?

All members of one flock became dominant over all members of the other flock.

What are the benefits of dominance?

Greater access to food, mates, nesting sites, and other resources, and sometimes the ability to suppress subordinate reproduction.

What are benefits of being subordinate?

Lower metabolic rates, lower mortality than dispersal, occasional resource access, potential for rank increase, and possible alternative reproductive tactics.