Weak evidence that asset protection underlies temporal or contextual consistency in boldness of a terrestrial crustacean

Abstract In recent years, many studies have investigated the potential state dependence of individual differences in behaviour, with aim to understand proximate and ultimate causes consequences animal personality. Among variables that could affect behavioural expression is size mass, but few found associations at among-individual levels. Insufficient sampling incorrect analysis data are cited as impediments detecting correlations, if they exist. Here, we conducted a study using 100 pillbugs ( Armadillidium vulgare ) assayed their defensive behaviour 24 times each over time across familiarity contexts, test asset protection hypothesis predicts negative correlation between boldness increases mass time. Multivariate mixed models revealed despite mostly consistent (modest slope variance) contexts (near-parallel reaction norms), 18-fold range starting there was no mean boldness. However, individuals gained more may been ‘shy’ compared those gaining less weak observed variation gain small. There also level trend increasing shyness coincident Together, our provides evidence for hypothesis, whereby accumulate resources thought protect them through risk averse behaviour. Significance statement Individual ‘state’, such or energy reserves, be predictor reveal links, several suggest insufficient explain null results most studies. We studied animals sampled controlled setting stable contexts; however, unrelated large weakly related became shy growing faster were somewhat shy. Our provide little hypothesis.