page_title: Dominance signal
section_title: Modalities
hierarchical_section_title: Dominance signal / Modalities
caption_attribution_description: English: Head of a Gila Monster Heloderma suspectum.
context_page_description: A dominance signal is used in a dominance hierarchy or pecking order to indicate an animal's dominance. Dominance signals are a type of internal environment signal that demonstrate the signalers attributes. Dominance signals are necessary for several species for mating, maintaining social hierarchies and defending territories Dominance signals also provide information about an animals fitness. Animals have developed conflict management strategies to reduce frequency of aggressive incidents in competitive matters. This evolution is the basis of dominance signals.
  Dominance signals can be operationally defined by acts or displays produced by signalers, which conveys meaning messages to recipients such that the signal is met with a response and the response results in dominance being displayed. For example, hermit claws raise their claws performing a threat signal, which expresses intent to attack to challenger and the challenger makes a decision to retreat which reinforces signaller's dominance.
context_section_description: Animals use several modalities of communication to express dominance. Aggressive encounters between competing individuals can result in significant costs for animals. To minimize fighting costs and increase fitness, many species have evolved specialized signalling systems to assert dominance by electing specific cues or signals. These signals allow individuals to gauge the status of conspecifics and not engage in combat with individuals of higher rank or strength. Such signals are found in several species and can present themselves in many different ways.
caption: Gila Monster display orange spots
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