Dolphins attack on harbour porpoise in Moray Firth

Eight dolphins attacked a harbour porpoise

May 2013. An extraordinary attack on a harbour porpoise by a group of around eight bottlenose dolphins acting in 'tight formation' has been witnessed by a marine wildlife expert off Covesea Skerries near Lossiemouth on the south coast of the Moray Firth.

While attacks on porpoise by bottlenose dolphins are not unusual, North Grampian Regional Co-ordinator for the marine research charity Sea Watch Foundation, Alan Airey, says he has never before seen such an organised attack by a 'tight pack' of dolphins.

The attack happened while he was watching around eight bottlenose dolphins, and a mother and calf, leaping, feeding and surfing on the west side of the skerries on Friday 24 May, just as the Bank Holiday began. While the mother and calf remained feeding, slowly the behaviour of the other dolphins changed.

Tossed in the air

He says:" I also saw a porpoise quite close in heading east. Slowly the dolphins moved further west. Then at about 4.15pm, the eight dolphins started charging about shoulder to shoulder, and I realised they were attacking at least one porpoise. I saw a porpoise had been tossed in the air, with the pack all diving in after it. 

"Then I saw a porpoise swimming for its life right in front of the dolphin 'pack', the dolphins would surge forward as one as if trying to drown it by forcibly pushing it under, and then I saw another chase which resulted in a porpoise being tossed in the air again.

Continued

Disagreeable People Prefer Aggressive Dogs, Study Suggests

ScienceDaily (May 22, 2012) — Aggressive dog ownership is not always a sign of attempted dominance or actual delinquency. A study carried out at the University of Leicester's School of Psychology has found that younger people who are disagreeable are more likely to prefer aggressive dogs, confirming the conventional wisdom that dogs match the personality of their owners.

Researchers found that low Agreeableness was the best predictor of a preference for those dogs seen as more aggressive, such as bull terriers or boxers. Individuals low in Agreeableness are typically less concerned with others' well-being and may be suspicious, unfriendly and competitive.

However, the study found no link between liking an aggressive dog and delinquent behaviour, or the possibility that liking an aggressive dog is an act of 'status display' to show off or attract romantic partners.

Dr Vincent Egan, lead researcher on the study, said: "This type of study is important, as it shows assumptions are not the whole picture. It is assumed owners of aggressive dogs (or dogs perceived as aggressive) are antisocial show-offs. But we did not find persons who expressed a preference for aggressive dogs had committed more delinquent acts, or reported showing off more.

Read more:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522084326.htm

Hawks Attack Parishioners At Indiana Church

Many people try to get by on a wing and a prayer, but the parishioners at an Indiana church could do without the wings, thank you.

Recently, a pair of hawks swooped down to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mishawaka, Ind., and moved in upstairs.

At first, they were good neighbors who respected the sanctity of the church, but things have turned hellish recently, according to church pastor Father Terry Fisher.

"Up until a couple weeks ago they really weren't bothering anybody and we weren't bothering them," Father Fisher told WSPT-TV.

However, they have just started getting a little too protective about their nest and have begun swooping down and attacking people.

"They got one lady on the top of her head and she had to have stitches, and another woman on the side of her face," Father Fisher said.

They've been acting so satanic, in fact, that the church asked a higher power to intervene: the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Read on and watch video at:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/11/hawks-attack-parishioners-church-indiana_n_1510410.html?ref=weird-news

Tonya the elephant packs her trunk – and says goodbye to the zoo

The three-year-old Asian elephant has been banished, along with her mother Douanita, to keep the peace. 

Pregnant Douanita had been filmed on CCTV bashing herd members – including her adopted mother, Irma – with her trunk.

Keepers said the clashes at Rotterdam zoo were only the elephant equivalent of handbags – but decided to pack the pair off to Prague. ‘It was all still pushing and pulling. But we do not want a real fight, so we had a choice,’ one zookeeper said.
Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/898656-tonya-the-elephant-packs-her-trunk-and-says-goodbye-to-the-zoo#ixzz1ulvkXedO

Petrified postmen ordered to stay away from Snowball the cat

Frightened postal workers have been banned from delivering letters to one notoriously hazardous address after being repeatedly 'attacked' by a three-year-old cat called Snowball. 

Following a thorough investigation the Royal Mail has stopped its workers from delivering mail to the address after labelling the black and white moggy a 'health and safety risk'.

Despite being described as 'absolutely harmless' by owner Ian Wilkinson, the UK's postal service said Snowball posed an 'unacceptably high level of risk'.

Royal Mail said three employees suffered 'quite deep cuts' after all being attacked by the 10inch tall feline.

Snowball has scared off three petrified postal workers (Picture: Ben Davis / Newsteam).

Mr Wilkinson, 46, said he was shocked when he received a letter from Royal Mail saying its workers would no longer be delivering mail to his home in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. 

The letter said the postal ban will continue until he has found a way of stopping Snowball from attacking its workers.

The computer analyst said: 'It’s utterly ridiculous.

'I have never seen her attack a person. Sometimes she sniffs people’s feet when they come over for dinner - that’s as vicious as she gets.'

He also said he could not see how it was possible for his pet to have attacked the three posties: 'Although I acknowledge that my cat is a very intelligent animal, she is not able to lift up a spring loaded flap, keep it open, push her paw through a double brush guard and maul an unsuspecting delivery person in the time it take to delivery of the letter.'

'I respect postmen come out in all sorts of weather conditions, but they are in serious danger of making the Post Office a laughing stock.'

A neighbour added: 'Snowball is a lovely cat and friendly. I can’t imagine her ever attacking anybody.'

However Royal Mail has insisted Mr Wilkinson will not receive any mail until an 'alternative safe delivery point' has been put in place.

A spokesman added: 'There are around 4,000 animal attacks a year on Royal Mail people.

'These attacks cause great distress and in too many cases serious injuries.'

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/895202-petrified-postmen-ordered-to-stay-away-from-snowball-the-cat 

Komodo dragons 'hunt' Steve Backshall and Deadly 60 crew

Deadly 60 presenter Steve Backshall says he was taken by surprise when he witnessed a quick change in behaviour from a group of Komodo dragons.

He told BBC Breakfast it was the fourth time he has filmed with Komodo dragons but this experience was "genuinely frightening".

His new series examines extremes in the animal world.

Deadly 60 will be shown on CBBC from Monday 26 March at 07:30 and 16:30 GMT.

Watch video:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17472859

Aggressive Turkey, Named 'Godzilla,' Stalks Detroit-Area Woman Daily (VIDEO)

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An Oakland County woman says she's become a prisoner on her own property, stalked and harassed by a 25-pound turkey.

Edna Geisler calls the foul bird "Godzilla." The 69-year-old told the Detroit Free Press ( ) that the turkey wanders near her Commerce Township property each day from nearby woods. She recently couldn't get to her front door after a trip to the grocery store.

"I have to go to the post office at 6 o'clock in the morning to avoid him," said Geisler, who has been bumped and clawed.

She has tried changing her schedule but this turkey is no dummy. A friend, Rick Reid, said the turkey went after him, too, when he opened the door on his minivan.

"He tried to come right in the door," Reid said. "He bit me on the elbow."

Indeed, a video posted online by the Free Press shows Godzilla roaming the grounds like they're his own. State wildlife expert Tim Payne said adult turkeys are known to aggressively defend their territory, although most fear people.

"This bird has probably attacked, and the person retreats," said Payne of the Department of Natural Resources. "What it tells the bird is, `What I'm doing is good.' It reinforces the aggressive behavior."

Payne suggested Geisler open a large umbrella to drive the turkey back to the woods.

"Make some runs at the bird and become the aggressor," he said. "The bird needs to learn who's the boss."

Geisler wants the turkey gone by summer so she can work in her garden. The hunting season opens in April.

"Every time I eat turkey I smile," she said. "I'd like to do that to him."

Watch video here:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/aggressive-turkey-stalks-woman_n_1321669.html

What would you do if a bear charged you?

What would you do if a quarter-tonne bear came charging towards you? Run away as fast as you can, or stay where you are and cross your fingers?

If you chose immobility, congratulations! You have what it takes to survive the wilds of Alaska. Just ask the tourists whose video of an unpleasantly close encounter with a grizzly in Katmai National Park in 2010 has gone viral this week. Larry Griffith and his friends were supposed to be watching bears from a safe distance when suddenly one of the beasts came racing over to see what they were up to. "I could hear and smell his breath and see bits of fish on his teeth," said Griffith. The bear circled the group several times, near enough to sniff their clothes, before returning to its salmon-fishing.

Throughout, the tourists stayed in their camping chairs. Were they paralysed by fear? Not entirely, though Griffith admits he has had nightmares since. In fact, they were following their guide's advice to ignore a "bluff charge" that was unlikely to end in violence. If they had run away, this would have encouraged the bear to see them as prey. And, unlike even the most highly motivated human, a hungry grizzly can reach a speed of 30 miles an hour. Anyway, what do you think the bear might be saying?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/shortcuts/2012/feb/29/bear-charged-you

British tourist killed in bee attack

A British man was stung to death by a swarm of bees while he was on holiday with his wife in Africa, it has emerged.

Mick Bryan, 61, and Jacqueline, 43, were exploring Tanzania when the killer bees launched an attack on the Cambridgeshirecouple at a remote campsite.

The father-of-three attempted to drive off after the attack but collapsed and later died in hospital. His wife was also stung but survived.

Speaking to The Sun, a family member said: “They were out in the middle of nowhere getting ready to have some lunch when they heard a buzzing noise. Mick shouted to Jacqueline to run. 

“He was covered in bees. He tried to drive off but it all happened too quickly. Jacqueline couldn't get any phone reception so she had to run to the main road for help.”
His sister Louise Adam, 64, is also quoted as saying: “He was a wonderful man. He'd do anything for anyone.”

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are aware of the death of a British National in Tanzania and are in contact with the family, providing consular assistance.”


http://uk.news.yahoo.com/british-tourist-killed-in-bee-attack.html

Shark rips at boat

RECREATIONAL fisherman Adrian Hinds says he would still go swimming off Tasmania's coast despite encountering a 4.5m great white shark at the weekend.

Mr Hinds and his mates were fishing off Port Sorell on Saturday when a massive great white started nosing around their boat.

"It was probably between four and five metres, it was 500kg I reckon," Mr Hinds, 32, of Launceston said last night.

He said the shark spent a couple of hours circling the boat, but neither he nor his fellow fishermen felt any fear.

"It was awesome. It was just checking out what was going on, pretty much," he said. "We were pretty awestruck. We never felt any danger."

Aerial shark patrols started off the East Coast on Friday because the hot weather has seen an increase in bait fish and sharks. Surveillance is concentrating between The Gardens and Scamander.

"The blokes I went out with, they've been fishing for years and never seen one before," Mr Hinds said.

He said the shark nudged the motor when the propeller was out of the water and ripped a protective mat hung over the side of the boat.

"When it had a go at the protective mat it got stuck into it a bit, had a little bit of a thrash," he said.

They were 50km off Port Sorell at the time.

Despite hearing rumours of other shark sightings, Mr Hinds said he would still swim at the beach.

"Yeah I still would, I think they're a fair way out," he said.

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/01/09/290971_most-popular-stories.html

Drunk zoo visitor attacked by monkeys

Joao Leite Dos Santos, a mechanic from Sao Paulo, decided it would be fun to join a colony of spider monkeys in their enclosure to see if they wanted to play.

After climbing the fence he waded across the dividing pool where a group of the primates gathered on the bank.

Thinking that they were inviting him to join them, Mr Dos Santos reached out to touch them. But the fiercely territorial monkeys bit his wrist, while another bit and clawed his elbow and shoulder.

Zoo officals quickly dragged Mr Dos Santos out of the enclosure where he lay in a pool of blood in front of a horrified crowd.

He was taken to hospital where he was treated for severe bites to his body.

In a series of sheepish interviews to the local press Mr Dos Santos admitted drinking heavily prior to the incident.

It is not known whether he will face criminal charges.

Read more and see video here ...

Piranhas Attack Swimmers Off Brazil Beach

Thousands of flesh-eating piranhas have been attacking swimmers off a river beach in western Brazil - with at least 15 people suffering injuries.

The creatures have infested the waters of the Paraguay river off the city of Caceres' Daveron beach, in Mato Grosso state.

Officials say it is the first time they have had a problem with piranhas in the area, where the aggressive fish began schooling about two weeks ago.

Elson de Campos Pinto, 22, was among those attacked.

"I took a dip in the river and when I stood up, I felt pain in my foot," he told Globo TV's G1 website.
"I saw that I had lost the tip of my toe. I took off running out of the river, afraid that I would be further attacked because of the blood. I'm not going back in for a long time."

Firefighter Raul Castro de Oliveira told G1: "People have got to be very careful. If they're bitten, they've got to get out of the water rapidly and not allow the blood to spread."

Read more here ...

Pet Hippo Humphrey Mauls His Owner To Death

A hippopotamus called Humphrey who became an internet sensation after being raised as a pet has mauled his keeper to death.

The animal, which weighs over a ton, reportedly bit Marius Els, dragged him into the water and killed him on his 400-acre farm in South Africa.

The man's mutilated body was found submerged in the river where years earlier the creature had been rescued from a flood.
Humphrey had learned to swim with humans and found a home with Els when it became too big for the people who had initially adopted him.

The 40-year-old farmer, who said the animal was like a "son" to him, was confirmed dead by medics early on Sunday morning.

Netcare 911 spokesman Jeffrey Wicks reported paramedics attended Els' home on the banks of the Vaal River in Free State province.

He said: "Paramedics responded to the scene to find that the man had been bitten several times by the animal.

"It had also been immersed in the river for an unknown period."

Humphrey, who is six, was found as a calf and had been raised as a pet in Free State.

Els built a bond with him that enabled the former army major to ride on his back, feed him and even brush his teeth.

But neighbours said there were signs Humphrey was perhaps not quite as docile as Els suggested, as he was spotted wandering off the farm and onto a nearby golf course.

Els said he returned when he was called.

"We tried to warn him, but he wouldn't listen," an unnamed neighbour was quoted as saying by the Afrikaans daily Beeld.

The hippo is one of the most aggressive creatures in the world, especially when young calves are present.

And it is often regarded as among the most dangerous animals in Africa.

Hippos are very aggressive towards humans, whom they commonly attack whether in boats or on land with no apparent provocation.

Read more here ...

Aquarium Fishes Are More Aggressive in Reduced Environments, New Study Finds

ScienceDaily (Sep. 21, 2011) — An angry glare from the family goldfish might not be the result of a missed meal, but a too-humble abode. Fish in a cramped, barren space turn mean, a study from Case Western Reserve University has found. Ornamental fishes across the U.S. might be at risk, all 182.9 million of them.

"The welfare of aquarium fishes may not seem important, but with that many of them in captivity, they become a big deal," said Ronald Oldfield, an instructor of biology at Case Western Reserve. Why, then, has the welfare of pet fishes been overlooked among the scientific community?

Oldfield is the first to scientifically study how the environment of home aquariums affects the aggressive behavior of ornamental fishes. The results are published in the online Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, volume 14, issue 4.

Oldfield compared the behavior of Midas cichlids (Amphilophus citrinellus) in a variety of environments: within their native range in a crater lake in Nicaragua, in a large artificial stream in a zoo, and in small tanks of the sizes typically used to by pet owners.

The study focused on juvenile fish to remove aggressive behavior related to mating. Also, resources such as food and shelter were removed prior to observation to eliminate direct competition.

Along with environment size, Oldfield tested the complexity of an environment and the effects of number of fish within tanks.

The addition of obstacles and hiding places using rocks, plants, or other similar objects can increase the complexity of the aquarium environment.

He found that an increase in tank size and complexity can reduce harmful aggressive behaviors, and make for healthier fish at home.

Oldfield quantified aggressive behavior as a series of displays and attacks separated by at least a second. Displays are body signals such as flaring fins. An attack could be a nip, chase, or charge at another fish.

In aquariums, these behaviors can lead to injury and in extreme cases to death.

Aggressive behavior was not correlated with small-scale changes in either group size or habitat size alone. However, a significant difference was observed in environments sufficiently large and complex: fish spent less time exhibiting aggressive behavior.

"This more natural environment elicits more natural behaviors, which are more interesting to observers," Oldfield said.

And, for the fish themselves, their lives can be vastly improved with these simple changes to their environments.

"If we are going to try to create a society as just as possible, we need to do everything we can to minimize negative effects," Oldfield said.

But why should anyone beyond fish enthusiasts care about fish behavior?

Minimizing negative effects extends beyond the treatment of ornamental fishes. Interactions between humans and other species could apply.

Humans have intimate relationships with a variety of fishes. They provide food and sport for many people. Some are used for decoration, and others are well-loved pets or may become addicting hobbies.

Additionally, conditions for animals in the rapidly growing field of aquaculture and on factory farms are issues of contention.

Oldfield is not trying to support any extreme agendas. "I'm not trying to ban human use of animals- I just think that if we are going to interact with them then we should be as informed as possible."

Relatively simple fish behavior can also serve as a basic model for more complex behaviors.

In the future, Oldfield said, "This study might help us to better understand how human behavior changes when people are placed in different social environments." Violence in prisons might be linked in part to the smaller space and reduced stimuli.

Until then, the 182.9 million ornamental fishes in the United States may benefit from this study. The family goldfish can swim in peace, enjoying the remodeled space.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110922102241.htm

Dolphin baby given 'ticking off'

Dolphin watchers in west Wales have spotted unusual behaviour as a female repeatedly tossed a newborn calf into the air.

They say it is the first time such 'violent' behaviour has been seen by a mother in Cardigan Bay although males dolphins have been known to kill their young.

Dr Peter Evans, from the Sea Watch Foundation, said it might have been a case of a severe telling off due to the two to three day old calf wandering too far away.

"She was nosing it away in a particular direction, then suddenly she threw the infant right up into the air, and then did this about three times," he explained.

"Normally when you see something like an animal thrown into the air it's an aggressive action by a male dolphin.

"In this instance it was the mother doing it (the attacking), and she was doing it very rigorously.

"It was moving away, several times, from the mother, and perhaps it was straying too far and she wanted to keep a close eye on it."

Dr Evans said this may have been because there were humans nearby or other adult dolphins.

"It was possible a got a strong scolding because of that, and the animal was unharmed at the end," he added.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14921415

Rare tigress kills mate in US zoo

Officials at a zoo in the US where a rare Malayan tiger was killed by his mate have said there were no warning signs of violence.

Steve Marshal, director of El Paso Zoo in Texas, said three-year-old Seri and six-year-old Wzui seemed to have bonded during their two-and-a-half months together and had even mated.

He said the animals were seen playing and being affectionate with one another just hours before Seri bit down on Wzui's neck and choked him to death.

Minnesota Zoo conservation director Tara Harris said tigers sometimes fight but very rarely kill one another. She said it is even rarer that a female would kill a male.

Mr Marshal said the zoo hopes to find another suitable mate for Seri soon.

http://news.uk.msn.com/environment/rare-tigress-kills-mate-in-us-zoo-10

Assassin bug sneaks up on spiders

Assassin bugs hunt spiders on their webs by stalking or luring their victims before stabbing them with their long, sharp snouts.

Researchers studying these aggressive arthropods have now found that they use noise to cover their tracks.

The bugs wait for the wind to rustle the web, then take the opportunity to sneak up on their prey.

The findings will be published in the journal Animal Behaviour.

The bugs they studied, Stenolemus bituberus, are found in eastern and northern Australia. They live and hunt in spider webs on tree trunks or in rocky crevices.

The team, led by Dr Anne Wignall from Macquarie University in Sydney, brought juvenile assassin bugs into their laboratory.

They had spiders, of several species known to be preyed on by the bugs, build their webs in special wooden frames in the laboratory. The frames allowed the scientists to vibrate the webs, creating background "noise" and observing how the bugs reacted.

Dr Wignall and her team used the webs to find out exactly how the bugs avoided being spotted as they stalked their prey.

"Web-building spiders have only rudimentary eyesight, so avoiding being seen is not an issue for web-invading arthropods," the team explained in the paper.

"The main sensory system of web-building spiders is based on interpreting vibrations in the web - web silk is exquisitely proficient at transmitting vibrations from potential prey and predators in the web."

'Smokescreen'
The researchers placed the bugs onto the spider webs and used a desk fan to simulate a breeze on the web.

When the fan was on, "the assassin bugs stepped more often and walked in a more continuous manner", the team explained. They described this tactic as "opportunistic smokescreen behaviour".

"Generally, noise is considered a big obstacle that needs to be overcome, such as when trying to communicate or when searching for predators," Dr Wignall told BBC Nature.

"The exciting thing in this study is that the assassin bugs can increase their chances of catching food by using wind noise as cover."

The breeze did not seem to trigger the assassin bug to move when it was in an unoccupied spider web. This, the team wrote, suggested that "noise-related timing of behaviour reflects decisions made as part of a predatory strategy", rather than just a response to the physical movement of the web.

By Victoria Gill Science reporter, BBC Nature
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/14836370

Wrasse and starfish gang up on sea urchins

SEA urchins beware: you are under attack from two sides. Wrasse and starfish are both partial to sea urchin, but struggle to catch it on their own. So they give each other a helping hand to tackle their common prey.

Ornate wrasse, Thalassoma pavo, like to eat the tube feet of sea urchins, but as the urchins keep their feet buried in the sea bed the wrasse can't get to them easily. Marthasterias glacialis, a starfish, also likes sea urchin but isn't always fast enough to catch them.

Nicola Galasso of Tuscia University in Viterbo, Italy, and colleagues have found that the two help each other out. When a sea urchin is attacked by a starfish, it uproots itself and moves away. That exposes its tube foot, so a lurking wrasse can sweep in for a meal. The wrasse's feast disables the sea urchin, allowing the starfish to catch it and finish the job.

The two predators don't seem to be truly cooperating as neither makes a sacrifice for the other. But their actions nevertheless benefit each other. It is further evidence that wrasse are intelligent and can adapt their foraging methods, says Galasso, who presented her research last week at the summer conference of the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour in St Andrews, UK. She has also found that ornate wrasse have learned to follow scuba divers, as they often break open sea urchins to attract fish.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21128284.300-wrasse-and-starfish-gang-up-on-sea-urchins.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news

Mortal combat is the rational choice for wasps

Males of an unusual group of wasps fight to the death over females, even if they've already mated or are competing with their own brothers, a new study shows. The behaviour was seen in parasitoid wasps, which lay their eggs inside living animals.


The only thing that affects these parasitoids' belligerent ways is how many combatants need to be fought. It seems that when it comes to violent conflict, they have a simple script and stick to it - fight whenever you can.


Most animals don't engage in this kind of mortal combat, because no matter how valuable the resource they're fighting over - usually food or the chance to mate - it's generally not worth risking their lives for.

But males of the parasitoid wasp Melittobia engage in exceptionally vicious battles that often end in dismemberment and decapitation. How can this be a sensible risk to take in the great struggle to survive long enough to mate? The answer seems to lie in the unusual situation they find themselves in when looking for mates.

Male parasitoid wasps fighting

A team of researchers decided to investigate what affects the likelihood of deadly violence in this particular parasitoid family. They put males in enclosed environments and tracked how much they fought after emerging as adults. They varied three factors that theory predicts might influence their violent tendencies - how related the potential combatants were, the absolute number of males available to fight, and the relative value of the mating opportunity being fought over.


Parasitoid wasps lay their eggs inside developing offspring of other insects like caterpillars. These luckless individuals then play host to the brood of larvae growing within them, which eventually emerge to start the cycle again.

Male Melittobia wasps develop into adults before females, and are relatively few in number - sometimes as little as five per cent of a brood. They have ferocious scythe-like mandibles and immediately set about each other, puncturing bodies, amputating limbs and even chopping off heads. Losers are killed and even winners often walk away badly wounded.

The males are blind and flightless, so they can't get away from the host they are born in, and this turns out to be crucial. 'Because of these wasps' unusual biology, what's at stake in these contests is a male's only chance to mate - its entire lifetime opportunity to reproduce,' says Dr Tabitha Innocent, who led the research while a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh. 'The males emerge first and begin fighting; the male (or males) that make it through this gladiatorial process get to mate with all the females in the local area. So what they are fighting over is incredibly valuable to them, and it makes sense to risk everything to get it.'


The scientists manipulated the value of the mating opportunity being fought over by letting some males mate before the fighting began, reasoning that for a male that has already mated many times, the chance to do so again will be relatively less valuable than it would be for a male that's never mated. The male that's already mated might therefore be less willing to fight for the chance to do so again.

But they found that only the number of opponents makes any difference; the more males in an area, the more lethal fighting goes on. The insects don't seem to be able to recognise their kin, and they still fight just as often and ferociously even with their brothers - opportunities to mate are so scarce that they're always worth risking everything for.

'These males don't seem to carry out any assessment of the costs of fighting,' Innocent says. 'It seems that they have such a small window of time in which to mate, and the number of potential females to mate with is so limited, that it's always worth fighting, even if they're unlikely to win.' She says this supports earlier work by the same group, which showed the wasps' eagerness to fight isn't affected by their opponent's size, even though this affects their chance of winning considerably.

The research helps illuminate the theory of fighting in animals more generally. 'There is massive variation in the extent of violence when males compete in different species of animal,' Innocent explains. 'If the resource being fought over is limited in space and time, you're more likely to get fatal fighting - this is exactly what we see in the parasitoid wasps.'

According to evolutionary theory, what matters is the resource's current value compared to its future value. In animals where costly conflict is limited such as deer, a chance to mate now is valuable, but not as valuable as the total of all future mating opportunities. Stags can always hope to find other females or to mate another year, so it's not worth risking their lives for any particular female. But for these wasps the future value of mating opportunities is very low - males have to mate quickly with as many females as possible, or they'll miss their only chance.

Innocent says the wasps are at the extreme end of the spectrum stretching from extreme violence to peaceful resolution, but understanding their behaviour will provide insights into more typical cases. 'Looking at extremes of conflict and cooperation really helps us understand how these behaviours evolve,' she observes. 'Fatal fighting is rare, but competition for mates is common across animal species. This research improves our understanding of why this competition varies and what influences how violent these fights become.'

The research is published in Behavioral Ecology.

http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/news/story.aspx?id=1036

Leopard wounds 11 people in village

A leopard that mauled 11 people in a fierce showdown with Indian villagers has died of knife wounds after being captured.

The adult male leopard leapt at locals and forest officials as they tried to drive it into a wildlife sanctuary in West Bengal state.

Forest official Dharma Dev Rai says villagers used knives, stones and batons to beat back the cat.

It injured six villagers, a policeman and four forest guards before being hit with a tranquilliser gun.

The people are recovering from their injuries, mostly swipes from the cat's claws.

Leopards are protected in India though more are straying into villages for food.

http://news.uk.msn.com/world/leopard-wounds-11-people-in-village?ocid=today