Mending fences: Relationship quality, not reproductive cycle, predicts reconciliation in Amiata jennies

Abstract

Research on reconciliation has mainly focused on primates, leaving domestic ungulates largely unexplored. To address this gap, we investigated female–female agonistic and post-conflict dynamics in a stable group of jennies (Equus asinus), integrating behavioral observations with a physiologically validated reproductive parameter. During estrus, females showed increased proximity, suggesting that reproductive cycle promotes tolerance and spatial cohesion. Closer spacing did not lead to more overt aggression, but was associated with a rise in subtle threats, likely functioning as a low-cost strategy to regulate tension while avoiding escalation. Here, we also reported reconciliation in our group of jennies, consistent with findings in horses, a species phylogenetically close to donkeys. Most conciliatory contacts occurred within seconds after aggression and were more frequent between closely bonded partners, supporting the Valuable Relationship Hypothesis. Victims were more likely to initiate post-conflict contacts with close affiliates and aggressors of similar rank, indicating a balance between preserving valuable ties and minimizing risk. Reconciliation was also more likely after high-intensity aggression, suggesting its key role in rapidly repairing relationships when social costs are highest. Contrary to our predictions, the reproductive cycle did not influence post-conflict behavior. The absence of a resident male in the group likely reduced reproductive competition among females, which may explain this result. By integrating physiological and behavioral approaches, this study not only provides the first systematic evidence of reconciliation in donkeys but also demonstrates that subtle social dynamics in female-only groups can be rigorously quantified. Extending conflict management research beyond primates to domestic ungulates reveals mechanisms that are both evolutionarily informative and directly relevant to husbandry, offering novel insights into how social cohesion and welfare can be maintained in managed populations.