The role of prior agonistic experience in dominance relationships in male crickets Gryllus bimaculatus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae).

Experiments were carried out to study the effect of social conditioning (prior experience of dominance and submission) in dominance relationships between adult male Gryllus bimaculatus. The dominance status of a male cricket appears to be directly linked to its immediate prior agonistic experience. An experience of dominance increases the probability of victory and one of submission decreases it.

Stability of dyadic dominance status and recognition of the opponent in male crickets Gryllus bimaculatus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae).

In dyads of adult male Gryllus bimaculatus, a dominance relationship is established at the first agonistic interaction between the two insects. The comparison of the aggressive behaviour displayed by adult males shows that field crickets act in an identical manner when confronted with an unfamiliar opponent or with one already encountered in a different environment. In contrast, analysis of five successive conflicts in a given environment shows that the dynamics of the interactions varies according to whether the opponents are always the same or one is changed at each encounter.

Philopatry in mouflon rams during the rutting season: Psycho-ethological determinism and functional consequences.

Our study of mouflon (Ovis musimon) rams in the Caroux-Espinouse massif (southern France) shows that several forms of philopatry occur. Some of the rams were sedentary, as were the ewes, up to the age of four years. Most of the rams, however, started to enlarge their home range from the age of two years.