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149IIC in pair-bonding8that SNS linkage is related to a greater degree of demand-withdraw behavior during conflict (Reed, Randall, Post, & Butler, 2013). These findingssuggest that synchrony in negative contexts is detrimental to relationshipmaintenance. However, this assumption might be premature. Research hasdemonstrated that a ‘regulatory linkage’ strategy, whereby when one partneris negatively aroused the other down-regulates their physiological response,might be more beneficial in de-escalating and resolving conflicts than a positive co-activation of the SNS (Liu, Rovine, Cousino Klein, & Almeida, 2013;Reed et al., 2013; Wilson et al., 2018). These findings reflect the complexityof investigating physiological synchrony and relationship maintenance.Non-human animalsBehavioral levelThere are many examples of IIC that highlight its link with the formation or maintenance of pair-bonds, such as courtship displays in birds.Specifically, recent evidence demonstrates that familiar dyads of zebrafinches (Taeniopygia guttata) that had been briefly separated showedstronger IIC after being reunited than novel dyads (Prior, Smith, Dooling,& Ball, 2020). There are similar examples illustrating the importance ofmutual courtship displays for initiation or maintenance of the pair-bond(Dahlin & Benedict, 2014; Ota, Gahr, & Soma, 2015; Soma & Iwama,2017). Crucially, successful coordination has been linked to pair-bondingand fitness (Griffith, 2019). For example, well-coordinated pairs mightbe more successful in territorial defense and reduce offspring predationrisk by synchronizing nest visits. A clear example of the importance ofbehavioral compatibility is provided by Ihle and colleagues (2015), whofound that zebra finch couples that showed a mutual mate preference hada 37% higher reproductive success than experimentally “forced” pairs.Crucially, individuals of mutually chosen pairs were staying closer togetherand showed more synchronous behavior. Importantly, this design allowedthe authors to isolate the effect of parental care while controlling for geneticquality of offspring and parents, thereby convincingly demonstrating theimportance of IIC in bi-parental care. Corroborating evidence comes fromgraylag geese (Anser anser), where reproductively unsuccessful pairs lackedcoordination (Nedelec & Beaver, 2014). Also, blue-footed boobies (Sulanebouxii) that have been together for a longer time produce more fledglings,even when controlling for experience (Sánchez-Macouzet, Rodríguez,& Drummond, 2014). Importantly, the authors suggest that increasedwithin-pair coordination over time could be the mechanism underlying thisdifference in reproductive success. Altogether, these examples illustratethat IIC can enhance reproductive output in birds.Iliana Samara 17x24.indd 149 08-04-2024 16:36