title: On the optimal duration of memory of losing a conflict--a mathematical model approach.
abstract: In male broad-horned flour beetles, Gnatocerus cornutus, losers of conflicts avoid fighting at subsequent encounters. The loser effect lasts for 4 days. It is considered that the memory of losing remains for 4 days. The duration of the memory is expected to affect the fitness, and the duration, 4 days, is expected to be optimal. We consider the fitness of a mutant in an homogeneous population to obtain the optimal duration. Here we carry out simulations using an individual-based model. The results suggest that the trade-off of getting mating chances and avoiding damage can cause the optimal duration of the memory, and that the decay in time of the female population is an important factor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Okayama University, Tsushima-Naka 3-1-1, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan. sasaki@ems.okayama-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Kensuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kajiwara
authors.forename: Takahisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyatake
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D013997:Time Factors