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Lateral display as a combat tactic in richardson's ground squirrelSpermophilus richardsonii

1996; Wiley; Volume: 22; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/(sici)1098-2337(1996)22

1098-2337

Sergio M. Pellis, Neala L. MacDonald, Gail R. Michener,

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Aggressive BehaviorVolume 22, Issue 2 p. 119-134 Lateral display as a combat tactic in richardson's ground squirrel Spermophilus richardsonii Sergio M. Pellis, Corresponding Author Sergio M. Pellis Departments of Psychology and Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, CanadaDepartment of Psychology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada T1K 3M4Search for more papers by this authorNeala L. MacDonald, Neala L. MacDonald Departments of Psychology and Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorGail R. Michener, Gail R. Michener Departments of Psychology and Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, CanadaSearch for more papers by this author Sergio M. Pellis, Corresponding Author Sergio M. Pellis Departments of Psychology and Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, CanadaDepartment of Psychology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada T1K 3M4Search for more papers by this authorNeala L. MacDonald, Neala L. MacDonald Departments of Psychology and Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorGail R. Michener, Gail R. Michener Departments of Psychology and Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, CanadaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 1996 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2337(1996)22:2 3.0.CO;2-JCitations: 10AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract During fighting, adult ground squirrels frequently face each other laterally, arch the back, and piloerect the tail. In a diurnal species, such distinctive visual cues seem consistent with the suggestion that the lateral display serves a communicatory function. However, a detailed analysis of videotaped sequences of free-living Richardson's ground squirrels from two consecutive mating seasons suggested that the lateral maneuver has a functional role in combat. Because most agonistic encounters involve chasing, the rump is the principal body area bitten. When stationary, however, the opponent's rump is bypassed, and bites are targeted at the shoulders. Defensively, a hip thrust is used to block such attacks to the shoulder by pushing the opponent's head away. Offensively, the lateral maneuver is used to push against the opponent, providing a vantage point from which to lunge at the opponent's shoulders. In addition, the defender can launch counterattacks at the side of the head. The lateral orientation provides the attacker with a means of evading such attacks, by swerving laterally away. 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