Vocal rate as an assessment process during fallow deer contests

Two types of model propose that strategic decisions during contests are determined either by (i) a mutual-assessment process or (ii) a self-assessment process. Vocal signals are thought to convey information about the competitive abilities of individuals, the ultimate function of which is a reduction in costs associated with fighting consistent with the principle of mutual assessment. Nevertheless, the limited evidence that male ungulates engage in mutual assessment of vocal rates during dyadic contests has been questioned. Therefore, we examined the vocal rates of winners and losers during escalated dyadic contests between male fallow deer in order to further inform on this issue. Our results showed that winners and losers did not differ in vocal rate. The best model fit that accounted for individual vocal rates included a preponderance of factors related to the opponent indicating that contestants were attending to their opponent during fights. Vocal rate was, therefore, dependent on estimates of opponent quality without reference to self, supporting an ‘opponent-only’ rather than a mutual assessment process.

► Investigates the relationship between vocal rate and assessment during escalated contests.
► Examines the role of contest behaviour of both contestants on vocal rate.
► Shows that vocal rate does not conform to a mutual assessment process.
► Results show that fallow deer vocal rate follows an opponent-only process.
► Results do not conform to traditional assumptions concerning the function of vocal rates during ungulate contests.