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Supine defense in the intraspecific fighting of male house mice mus domesticus
Author(s) -
Pellis Sergio M.,
Pellis Vivien C.,
Jo Manning C.,
Dewsbury Donald A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
aggressive behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.223
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1098-2337
pISSN - 0096-140X
DOI - 10.1002/1098-2337(1992)18:5<373::aid-ab2480180507>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - supine position , intraspecific competition , dorsum , agonistic behaviour , aggression , adult male , biology , anatomy , psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , zoology , social psychology , surgery , endocrinology
House mice have been reported rarely to perform the supine behavior pattern as a defensive tactic during intraspecific fighting. However, in this study of intraspecific fighting by male mice, it is shown that mice do indeed rotate to supine. This maneuver is used to evade or extricate themselves from bites to the lower dorsum by the attacking opponent. Once free from the bite the defender does not remain supine, but will immediately turn to prone and flee. Remaining motionless in the supine position may serve a submissive function in other species, but this does not seem to be the case for mice. The present findings illustrate that the supine tactic is a dynamic maneuver for defense of body areas targeted by the opponent. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.