Animals Also Use Pre-emptive Strategies
Intergroup conflict has long been regarded as an important driver of evolution. Many social animals compete with neighboring groups for food, territory, mates, or living space. Such conflicts not only cause injuries and mortality, but also affect individual reproductive success and the persistence of entire groups, thereby exerting a strong influence on the evolution of animal behavior.
Previous studies have mainly focused on what happens during intergroup conflicts themselves, such as which individuals participate in fights, what factors determine the outcome of conflicts, and how interactions among group members, movement patterns, or resource use change after conflicts end. However, as research has progressed, scientists have begun to recognize that many animals adjust their behavior even before encountering rival groups, thereby increasing their chances of success or reducing the risk of conflict.
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