The Association Between Play Fighting and Information Gathering during Subsequent Contests.

ABSTRACT: Many hypotheses regarding the evolution of social play have been suggested, including the development of later-life assessment skills. However, the link between play fighting experience and information gathering during contests has yet to be examined. This paper explores the association between play fighting and contest assessment strategy in the domestic pig (Sus scrofa). Using an established framework, we provide evidence suggesting play fighting frequency may affect the extent to which individuals incorporate information regarding their own and their competitors' resource holding potential (RHP) in escalation decisions. Pigs were allocated as 'high play' or 'low play' based upon their relative play fighting frequency. To maximise variation in play, 12 litters underwent a socialisation t

SUBMITTER: Weller JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6981131 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature