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Neighboring territorial animals are viewed primarily as intense rivals,
but there are also opportunities for cooperation among competitors. Many
animals respond less aggressively toward neighbors than to strangers. This
phenomenon, termed the "dear enemy" effect, should be stable only when the
reduced aggression is reciprocal.
Territory owners should use conditional strategies in territorial defense,
showing reduced aggression toward neighbors who cooperate by respecting
territorial boundaries but increasing aggression toward invading
neighbors.
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In this study I examined the response of territory owners to playbacks of
neighbors at shared boundaries before and after intrusions by that
neighbor or by strangers. Results showed that territory owners did not
increase their aggression toward defecting neighbors but did increase
their aggression toward neighbors after a simulated intrusion by a
stranger.
This surprising result might reflect the long-term relationship
between neighboring Carolina wrens and the threat posed by rare intruding
strangers.
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