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The "communication-failure" hypothesis states that individuals whose agonistic displays deviate from the population norm are selected against because of the greater likelihood of their becoming involved in escalated contests. A corollary of this hypothesis is that the level of aggression in dyadic (pairwise) contests over resources is predicted to be higher the greater the behavioural divergence between the two contestants. Display divergence between two contestants from different populations should exceed that in intrapopulation dyads, consequently this prediction can be tested by comparing levels of aggression in contests between interpopulation dyads with those in contests between intrapopulation dyads. We carried out such a test using brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from two isolated populations in eastern Newfoundland. In initial encounters, the nipping rate (a measure of aggressiveness) of individuals from one of these populations was significantly higher in interpopulation dyads than in intrapopulation dyads. These results are consistent with the communication-failure hypothesis, as well as with the view that behavioural assessment, using low-cost stereotypic displays, reduces the cost of interactions over resources for both contestants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the habitat selection and demography of woodland carbou population in Newfoundland. Effect of interaction among human-induced habitat selection; Impact of black bear predation; Pregnancy and recruitment rates; Potential causes of mortality.

Examines the patterns of home-range size and habitat selection of American marten in southeastern Labrador, a region of extensive and pristine forests. Availability of habitat types with their use; Variation in home-range size at two scales; Association between marten and dense-canopy coniferous forests.

Examines the use of multiple abundance estimators to infer population trends in Altantic Puffins in Gull Island, Newfoundland. Estimation of breeding population; Utilization of closed-population estimator with sighting heterogeneity; Projection of age-based matrix using literature values.