A socially enforced signal of quality in a paper wasp

Abstract

Organisms use signals of quality to communicate information about aspects of their relative phenotypic and genetic constitution. Badges of status are a subset of signals of quality that reveal information about an individual's size and dominance. In general, signals of quality require high and differential costs to remain honest (that is, prevent low-quality cheaters from exploiting any fitness benefits associated with communicating high quality). The theoretically required costs for badges of status remain controversial because the development (or 'production') of such signals often seems to be relatively cost-free. One important hypothesis is that such signals impose social (or 'maintenance') costs incurred through repeated agonistic interactions with other individuals. However, convincing empirical evidence for social costs remains elusive. Here we report social costs in a previously undescribed badge of status: the highly variable black facial patterns of female paper wasps, Polistes dominulus. Facial patterns strongly predict body size and social dominance. Moreover, in staged contests between pairs of unfamiliar wasps, subordinate wasps with experimentally altered facial features ('cheaters') received considerably more aggression from the dominant than did sham controls, indicating that facial patterns are signals and that dishonest signalling imposes social costs.

Experimental confirmation that avian plumage traits function as multiple status signals in winter contests

“…Under this hypothesis, experimentally altering a badge creates a mismatch between the manipulated patch and behavior (Järvi et al 1987) of the experimental bird which leads to conflicting signals about their dominance status. As a result, the receiver may increase aggression towards the signaler to "test" its dominance status and enforce signal honesty by social means (Rohwer, 1975(Rohwer, , 1982Tibbetts and Dale, 2004). The results of our experimental manipulation are consistent with both of the above hypotheses.…”

Developmental and dominance‐associated differences in mushroom body structure in the paper wasp Mischocyttarus mastigophorus

“…Low-volatility pheromones, including cuticular hydrocarbons, are perceived by the antennae and are important in paper wasp social recognition (Panek et al, 2000;Dapporto et al, 2004). Tibbetts and Dale (2004) recently demonstrated that Polistes females can respond to visual cues of social rank as well. A general increase in cognitive capacity, distributed among brain regions, may be necessary for dominant females.…”

Actions speak louder than words: An elaborated theoretical model of the social functions of self-injury and other harmful behaviors

“…However, because the person has conveyed information that does not accurately reflect the true state of affairs (remembering that by definition a suicide gesture is intended to give the false impression that one intends to die as a result of their behavior), this behavior often is met with negative reactions from others (cf. Tibbetts & Dale, 2004). In addition, suicide gestures also may elicit a negative response because they represent a lack of cooperation with the larger group.…”