Agonism is a broad term which encompasses many behaviours that result from, or are triggered by biological conflict between competing organisms.[1][2] It is defined as "survivalist animal behaviour that includes aggression, defense, and avoidance[3]". Approximately 23 shark species are capable of producing such displays when threatened by intraspecific or interspecific competitors, as an evolutionary strategy to avoid unnecessary combat.[1][4][2] The behavioural, postural, social and kinetic elements which comprise this complex, ritualized display can be easily distinguished from normal, or non-display behaviour, considered typical of that species' life history.[1] The display itself confers pertinent information to the foe regarding the displayer's physical fitness, body size, inborn biological weaponry, confidence and determination to fight.[1][2] This behaviour is advantageous because it is much less biologically taxing for an individual to display its intention to fight than the injuries it would sustain during conflict.[5][2][1] Agonistic displays are essential to the social dynamics of many biological taxa, extending far beyond sharks.
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:1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Agonism | Social Interaction, Conflict Resolution & Communication | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
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