Game Theory in Animal Behavior
The interaction between animals and between species has recently been shown to be highly complex. Animals assess the behavior of those around them before deciding their own plan of action. This is demonstrated by male stickleback fish during mating season, where their underbellies turn bright red to attract females. These males attack anything red that they see, thinking it could be another male, threatening its search for mates or food.
In the Canadian wilderness, when a hawk approaches prey, chickadees spot this predator and broadcast its location and speed. Rodents on the ground have learned to mimic the chickadee’s call, until the whole ecosystem is aware, and can hide from the deadly attacks of the hawk.
Species like the green swordtails eavesdrop and gather intel on the strength of other swordtails by watching fights, where two swordtails “attack and retreat, nip and flash.. and body ram.” Based on this intel, the watching swordtails will avoid fighting the winners, or the losers as well if they fought ferociously.
These interactions show the complex workings of game theory in animal behavior. The animals gather as much information as they can to influence their choice that maximizes their welfare. They also may change their course of action based on others’ actions. These “games” get even more intricate when multiple species are involved, such as the bird-rodent alliance in the Canadian wilderness. Generations of game theory have led those who make the choices that correctly maximize their welfare, along with some luck, to survive and continue to adapt their strategies.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/social-animals-seek-power-in-surprisingly-complex-ways/
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