Dissertation
Understanding the fine-scale dynamics of agonistic behaviour in male Australian eastern water dragons, Intellagama lesueurii
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00055
Abstract
Agonistic behaviour is an important tool that animals utilise in a variety of different conflict situations such as disputes over resource ownership, social status and territory establishment. Agonistic behaviours can range in expression from signalling (e.g. an arm wave) to chasing and physical attacks (e.g. bites) and can have substantial energetic and physical (e.g. injury) costs. Winners of agonistic interactions can yield both resources and reproductive gains, while losers risk potential social penalties (e.g. group exclusion) or death. Agonistic behaviour, therefore, is an important fitness determining trait. As such, scientists have historically held an intense fascination with agonistic behaviour which has produced a vast body of work. Yet many questions still remain around the repeatable and plastic aspects of agonistic behaviour. Here, I aim to explore the fine-scale variation we observe in the repeatability and plasticity of agonistic behaviour using an extant social lineage of reptiles, the Australian eastern water dragon, Intellagama lesueurii (hereafter referred to as water dragons).
In this thesis, I have contributed to and utilized an ongoing 10-year longitudinal dataset of water dragon behaviour observed at Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane, Australia. Water dragons are a long-lived agamid with a polyandrous mating system. During the breeding season, males compete fiercely for territories and potential mates. The competitive nature of male water dragons and their extended lifespans make them the ideal candidate to examine the short- and long-term variation of agonistic behaviour as it interacts with a dynamic social environment.
Details
- Title
- Understanding the fine-scale dynamics of agonistic behaviour in male Australian eastern water dragons, Intellagama lesueurii
- Authors
- Sarah Ball
- Contributors
- Celine Frere (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00055
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99522302402621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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