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1.
Oliver Schülke Peter M. Kappeler Hans Zischler 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》2004,55(3):293-301
Sperm competition will be the inevitable consequence of polyandrous mating behavior if two or more males inseminate a single female. It has been demonstrated for a wide variety of animals that males adapt to this situation behaviorally, physiologically and morphologically, e.g. by evolving relatively large testes size to produce more sperm. All pair-living primates investigated so far were found to have relatively small testes, suggesting a monandrous mating system. We investigated the relationship between extra-pair paternity (EPP) rate as a measure of sperm competition intensity and relative testes size in a pair-living primate, the fork-marked lemur (Phaner furcifer). Paternity exclusion analyses for seven offspring using six polymorphic DNA-microsatellite markers suggested a high EPP rate. Female nocturnal travel distances were longer during the mating season, suggesting that females take an active role in achieving extra-pair copulations (EPCs). Surprisingly, fork-marked lemur testes size was relatively small compared to 23 other lemuroid primates, a result that is in contrast to predictions of sperm competition theory. Neither possible behavioral and morphological adaptations to an alternative paternity guard (i.e. mate guarding), nor sampling biases, phylogenetic constraints, and population density effects explain the absence of large testes in a species with high EPP, a phenomenon also known from birds with moderate to low EPP rates. We conclude that more data are needed on the frequency of EPCs, the timing of in-pair and extra-pair copulations, as well as the role of female choice, to explain why males of some species apparently do not adapt to sperm competition.Communicated by S. Alberts 相似文献
2.
Relatedness, polyandry and extra-group paternity in the cooperatively-breeding white-browed scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis ) 总被引:3,自引:0,他引:3
Linda A. Whittingham Peter O. Dunn Robert D. Magrath 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1997,40(4):261-270
We used DNA fingerprinting to examine the genetic parentage and mating system of the cooperatively breeding white-browed
scrubwren, Sericornis frontalis, in Canberra, Australia. Our analyses revealed a remarkable variety of mating tactics and social organization. Scrubwrens
bred in pairs or multi-male groups that consisted of a female and two or more males. Females were always unrelated to the
pair male or alpha (dominant) male. Among multi-male groups we found three different mating tactics. Firstly, when alpha and
beta (subordinate) males were unrelated, they usually shared paternity in the brood. This resulted in both males gaining reproductive
benefits directly. Secondly, when beta males were not related to the female but were related to the alpha males, beta males
sired offspring in some broods. In this situation, beta males gained reproductive benefits both directly and potentially indirectly
(through the related alpha male). Thirdly, when beta males were related to the female or both the female and alpha male, they
remained on their natal territory and did not sire any offspring. Thus beta males gained only indirect reproductive benefits.
Overall, when group members were related closely, the dominant male monopolized reproductive success, whereas when the members
were not related closely the two males shared paternity equally. This positive association between monopolization of reproduction
and relatedness is predicted by models of reproductive skew, but has not been reported previously within a single population
of birds. Other cooperatively breeding birds with both closely related and unrelated helpers may show a similar variety of
mating tactics. Finally, we found that extra-group paternity was more common in pairs (24% of young) than in multi-male groups
(6%), and we discuss three possible reasons for this difference.
Received: 21 May 1996 / Accepted after revision: 14 December 1996 相似文献
3.
Parentage analysis of multi-male social groups of tasmanian native hens (Tribonyx mortierii): genetic evidence for monogamy and polyandry 总被引:4,自引:0,他引:4
H. Lisle Gibbs Anne W. Goldizen Cindy Bullough Alan R. Goldizen 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1994,35(5):363-371
Accurate estimates of male reproductive success are essential to understanding the evolution of polyandrous mating systems. Here, we use multilocus DNA fingerpinting to assess parentage in an island population of Tasmanian native hens (Tribonyx mortierii), which often live in multi-male and/or multi-female social groups. This isolated population presented special challenges to this technique because it was artificially founded from a small number of individuals in the recent past. DNA profiles from four multilocus minisatellite probes were analyzed for adults and offspring from six social groups using two methods: (1) significance of band-sharing coefficients and (2) distribution among a group's offspring of fragments unique to certain adults. Traditional band-sharing analyses did not provide sufficient resolution to establish parentage in this population due to the high level of band-sharing between adults within groups. In contrast, the distribution of unique fragments suggests that in most cases, all offspring within a group have the same male and female genetic parents, so that monogamy may be the predominant genetic mating system of this species. This forces a rexamination of the evolutionary basis of polyandry in these birds. It also demonstrates some of the difficulties in using these highly polymorphic genetic markers for parentage analyses when putative parents are closely related. 相似文献
4.
Historically, most mammals have been classified as polygynous; although recent molecular evidence suggests that many mammals
may be polygynandrous, particularly the ground-dwelling sciurids. We genotyped 351 round-tailed ground squirrels (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus) using seven microsatellite loci to determine paternity in 31 litters from 2004 to 2007. Polygyny was evident in all years
except in 2007, when the population size was reduced. Multiple paternity occurred in the majority of litters (55%) with 2.5 ± 0.26
sires/litter (n = 31). Forty-nine percent of resident males (n = 114) sired offspring, and of males that sired offspring (n = 56) 27% sired young in multiple litters in a single breeding season. Litter size was positively correlated with the number
of sires. Through an indirect analysis of paternity, we found 21 litters (68%) with an average relatedness of 0.5 or less.
Males had a greater opportunity for sexual selection (I
s = 1.60) than females (I
s = 0.40); Bateman’s gradient was also greater in males (1.07 ± 0.04, n = 56) than females (0.82 ± 0.08, n = 31). The mating system in round-tailed ground squirrels defined through genetic analyses and Bateman’s gradients is polygynandrous
compared to the previously suggested polygynous mating system as established by behavioral observations and fits within the
predictions of the ground squirrel sociality models. Upon evaluating the predictions of the sociality models among sciurid
species, we found a negative relationship between the level of sociality with litter size and the average percentage of multiple
paternity within a litter. Thus, recent genetic information and reclassification of mating systems support the predictions
of the ground-dwelling squirrel sociality models. 相似文献
5.
Extra-pair paternity (EPP) is a common feature of the mating systems of many birds. The rate of EPP may vary between species, races and populations. A comparison of extra-group paternity (EGP) rates was made between two races of a group-living passerine, the Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), to determine if similar mating systems were being employed. The two populations had similar social structure, but differed in group size and dispersal. It was predicted that dispersal differences would have a profound effect on the rate of EGP between the populations, as the population with the lower rate of dispersal and higher chance of breeding with a close relative would engage in EGPs more frequently. Eight microsatellite loci were used to determine parentage in the white-backed Australian magpie (G. t. tyrannica). The rate of EGP was found to be 44%. Dispersal rates were estimated from observational data. Over half of the juvenile magpie cohort from the previous breeding season left the territorial group. These results contrast sharply with the results found by other researchers in a population of western Australian magpies (G. t. dorsalis). In this population, 82% EGP is recorded and dispersal of juveniles is close to nil. The results indicate that dispersal rate is a potentially important predictor of rates of extra-group fertilisations between populations of this species, and suggest that females maximise their reproductive output by avoiding breeding with close kin.Communicated by M. Soler 相似文献
6.
Lauryn Benedict 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》2008,62(6):983-988
Previous studies suggest that extrapair young are very rare or absent in socially monogamous avian species that produce vocal
duets. These results are generally consistent with functional hypotheses suggesting that duets may signal commitment between
partners, or aid males as a paternity guard to ensure genetic as well as social monogamy. Additionally, species that exhibit
social monogamy with the same partner across multiple breeding seasons tend to exhibit low levels of extrapair paternity,
so duetting species that mate for life may be particularly likely to exhibit genetic monogamy. This study examined the social
and genetic mating systems of California towhees (Pipilo crissalis), a duetting species thought to have life-long pair bonds. Observation of a color-banded population confirmed that California
towhees exhibit long-term social monogamy. Known social families were genotyped at four microsatellite loci with high allelic
diversity. Unexpectedly, paternity exclusion indicated that at least 13 of 31 (42%) nests contained extrapair young. All chicks
exhibited maternal alleles, but 21 of 81 (26%) young were not the offspring of social fathers. Thus, in contrast to previous
work, this study documents high frequencies of extrapair young among socially monogamous duetting birds with long-term pair
bonds. 相似文献
7.
Nga Nguyen Russell C. Van Horn Susan C. Alberts Jeanne Altmann 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》2009,63(9):1331-1344
Close associations between adult males and lactating females and their dependent infants are not commonly described in non-monogamous
mammals. However, such associations [sometimes called “friendships” (Smuts 1985)] are regularly observed in several primate species in which females mate with multiple males during the fertile period.
The absence of mating exclusivity among “friends” suggests that males should invest little in infant care, raising questions
about the adaptive significance of friendship bonds. Using data from genetic paternity analyses, patterns of behavior, and
long-term demographic and reproductive records, we evaluated the extent to which friendships in four multi-male, multi-female
yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus) groups in Amboseli, Kenya represent joint parental care of offspring or male mating effort. We found evidence that mothers
and infants benefited directly from friendships; friendships provided mother–infant dyads protection from harassment from
other adult and immature females. In addition, nearly half of all male friends were the genetic fathers of offspring and had
been observed mating with mothers during the days of most likely conception for those offspring. In contrast, nearly all friends
who were not fathers were also not observed to consort with the mother during the days of most likely conception, suggesting
that friendships between mothers and non-fathers did not result from paternity confusion. Finally, we found no evidence that
prior friendship increased a male’s chances of mating with a female in future reproductive cycles. Our results suggest that,
for many male–female pairs at Amboseli, friendships represented a form of biparental care of offspring. Males in the remaining
friendship dyads may be trading protection of infants in exchange for some resources or services not yet identified. Our study
is the first to find evidence that female primates gain social benefits from their early associations with adult males.
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. 相似文献
8.
Corey R. Freeman-Gallant 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1997,40(6):395-400
Empirical relationships between parentage and male parental care are commonly interpreted in the context of life-history
models that consider increased offspring survivorship as the only benefit of paternal effort. However, indirect benefits associated
with male care can also influence a male's response to cuckoldry: if females allocate paternity according to their prior experience
with male parental care, it may pay for males to provision extra-pair young in early broods. Here, I assess the relationship
between first-brood parentage and paternal care in a population of Savannah sparrows (Passerculussandwichensis) where a male's fertilization success in the second brood appears to be influenced by his prior parental performance. Based
on the multi-locus DNA fingerprinting of 17 first broods, male feeding effort was influenced by parentage (percent of brood
resulting from within-pair fertilizations) but not by brood size, male mating status (monogamous versus polygynous), timing
of breeding (hatching date), structural size (wing length) or condition (mass). Males provided more care to broods that contained
few within-pair young. This result supports the idea that males provision young to increase their future mating success, but
alternative hypotheses involving male quality and timing of breeding cannot be excluded.
Received: 13 August 1996 / Accepted after revision: 22 February 1997 相似文献
9.
Extra-pair paternity and intraspecific brood parasitism in wild zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata,revealed by DNA fingerprinting 总被引:3,自引:0,他引:3
T. R. Birkhead T. Burke R. Zann F. M. Hunter A. P. Krupa 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1990,27(5):315-324
Summary The frequency of extra-pair parentage in a wild population of zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata was examined by DNA fingerprinting. A total of 25 families, comprising 16 pairs of parents and 92 offspring (in broods of 1 to 6) were examined. Ten cases of extra-pair parentage, presumed to constitute intraspecific brood parasitism, were detected (10.9% of offspring or 36% of broods), including one possible instance of quasi-parasitism (parasitism by a female fertilized by the male nest owner). The average number of parasitic eggs per clutch detected by fingerprinting was 1.10±0.32 SD, very similar to the one egg difference in average clutch size between parasitised (6.0±0.82) and unparasitised nests (5.0±0.95). Two cases of extra-pair paternity (EPP) were detected among 82 offspring whose maternity was confirmed: 2.4% of offspring, or 8% of broods. In both cases EPP accounted for only a single offspring within a brood. Behavioural observations show that EPP occurs through extra-pair copulation rather than rapid mate switching. The results are discussed in the light of what is known about the fertile period and sperm precedence patterns in this species.
Offprint requests to: T.R. Birkhead 相似文献
10.
Mating system of the cooperatively breeding noisy miner Manorina melanocephala,as revealed by DNA profiling 总被引:1,自引:0,他引:1
In this study we examined parentage within broods of the cooperatively breeding noisy miner using multi-locus DNA profiling. Previous studies of noisy miners described them as highly promiscuous, leading to the suggestion that promiscuous mating behaviour was a tactic used by females to recruit males as provisioners to their nests (Dow 1978). At our study site in south-east Queensland, Australia, we found that both multiple and extra-group paternity (i.e. a female mating with a male outside the group of male provisioners at her nest) were rare. In nests where multiple paternity was possible (i.e. clutch size > 1) 97% of 31 broods were sired by only a single male. Overall, 96.5% of all nestlings (n = 85) were the result of monogamous matings. Also, at the vast majority of nests, the male that sired the nestlings was also the main provisioner among all male nest attendants. Our results show that the mating system of the noisy miner can no longer be considered cooperative polyandry (Brown 1987) but is clearly genetic monogamy. We discuss the implications of this finding for understanding the complex social system of this species. 相似文献
11.
Patricia Brekke Phillip Cassey Cristina Ariani John G. Ewen 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》2013,67(6):963-972
Sexual conflict can result in the evolution of extreme mating strategies, including forced copulation. Forced extrapair copulation (FEPC) is generally rare among birds, but is common in re-introduced populations of the hihi (Notiomystis cincta), a socially monogamous, New Zealand endemic, endangered passerine. The aim of this study was to understand the patterns of extrapair paternity in a population where the majority of EPC is forced and to examine the factors, in particular female-specific, influencing the proportion of offspring fathered by extrapair males (EPP—extrapair paternity) and the number of males siring extrapair offspring within a brood (EPM) in this species. Using 8 years of comprehensive paternity, life-history and demographic information for 485 breeding attempts, we show that the frequency of EPP is dependent on (1) social male and female age, (2) the month the female fledged, (3) breeding density and (4) whether it was their first or second reproductive event of the season. In addition, we show that both EPP and EPM are negatively associated with breeding synchrony and clutch size is the most important predictor of EPM. Understanding the drivers of EPP and EPM in species with FECP is important because these are strong determinants of variance in reproductive success and the maintenance of extreme mating behaviour. 相似文献
12.
Factors that affect extra-pair mating in birds are likely to vary across the breeding season. Changing densities of active
nests may alter the opportunities for extra-pair mating, and parental duties may alter a male’s opportunity to guard his mate
from extra-pair mating. The latter affects species with multiple broods, where males care for fledglings from first nests
while females initiate second nests. We studied a population of multi-brooded American robins (Turdus migratorius) to assess how seasonal changes in nesting density and changes in mate-guarding opportunity influenced paternity patterns
over successive breeding attempts. Extra-pair paternity (EPP) occurred in 71.9% of broods and accounted for 48.1% of young.
High nesting densities in the study population may explain the high overall rate of EPP, but seasonal variation in breeding
density did not explain patterns of EPP among nests. Contrary to the predictions of the mate-guarding hypothesis, EPP did
not increase in the second nests that followed successful first nests, and the percentage of extra-pair young in second nests
did not decline as the overlap between successive nests increased. The fact that EPP was actually lower when the interval
between clutches was shorter suggests that the sooner the males can assume sole care of first broods and allow their mates
to renest (indicative of superior paternal quality), the more paternity they realize in the next nest. These results suggest
that mate-guarding opportunity does not influence paternity in this population of American robins and that female robins may
allocate paternity based on their assessment of male parental performance at first nests. 相似文献
13.
The monogamous mating system of Peromyscus californicus as revealed by DNA fingerprinting 总被引:5,自引:0,他引:5
David O. Ribble 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1991,29(3):161-166
Summary I used DNA fingerprinting to assess mating exclusivity in Peromyscus californicus, a species presumed to be monogamous. Putative genealogical relationships were determined in the field from transfer of fluorescent pigments. The putative father was confirmed to be the genetic father for 82 offspring from 22 complete families. An additional 17 offspring from 5 families were tested in which samples from either the mother or father were not available. The offspring within each family were most likely full siblings and hence sired by only one father. An incestuous mating between brother and sister was also confirmed with DNA fingerprinting. Thus, all offspring from 28 families resulted from exclusive matings between single male and female pairs over a 2-year period. There were no instances of multiple paternity detected, and mate switches occurred only after one member of a pair disappeared. This is the first convincing demonstration of exclusive monogamy in a mammal.Offprint requests to: D.O. Ribble at his California address 相似文献
14.
Assuming that a male’s genetic characteristics affect those of his offspring, extra-pair copulation has been hypothesized
to increase heterozygosity of the progeny—the “genetic compatibility” hypothesis—and the genetic diversity within litters—the
“genetic diversity” hypothesis. We tested these two hypotheses in the alpine marmot (Marmota marmota), a socially monogamous mammal showing a high rate of extra-pair paternity (EPP). In a first step, we tested the assumption
that a male’s genetic characteristics (heterozygosity and genetic similarity to the female) affect those of his offspring.
Genetic similarity between parents influenced offspring heterozygosity, offspring genetic similarity to their mother, and
litter genetic diversity. The father’s heterozygosity also influenced litter genetic diversity but did not affect offspring
heterozygosity. Hence, heterozygosity seems not to be heritable in the alpine marmot. In a second step, we compared genetic
characteristics of extra-pair young (EPY) and within-pair young (WPY). EPY were less genetically similar to their mother but
not more heterozygous than WPY. EPY siblings were also less genetically similar than their WPY half siblings. Finally, the
presence of EPY promoted genetic diversity within the litter. Thus, our data support both the “genetic compatibility” and
the “genetic diversity” hypotheses. We discuss further investigations needed to determine the primary causes of EPP in this
species. 相似文献
15.
In socially monogamous species, extra-pair paternity may increase the reproductive success of highly ornamented males, mediating the evolution of sexual ornaments. However, ornaments may also attract social mates, and a tradeoff between extra-pair paternity (EPP) and within-pair paternity (WPP) may complicate mating strategies. Further, in many socially monogamous species, females are also ornamented, and the relationship between female ornamentation and patterns of EPP has been neglected. We investigated the patterns of genetic paternity with respect to carotenoid- and melanin-based pigmentation in yellow warblers (Setophaga petechia) of both sexes. We asked whether males face tradeoffs between EPP and WPP, how paternity patterns relate to carotenoid- versus melanin-based pigmentation, and whether less EPP occurs in broods when males and females are assortatively paired. Males faced a tradeoff between EPP and WPP. Moreover, non-additive relationships existed between paternity patterns and the two pigment types in both sexes. Males with high melanin coverage but dull carotenoid pigmentation achieved EPP but lost WPP, whereas males with high levels of both pigment types had high WPP but gained little EPP. A parallel pattern occurred in females. Warblers paired assortatively by pigmentation and EPP was less common in broods when the sexes were assortatively paired by carotenoid pigmentation. Results suggest that the most colorful birds obtain high quality social mates and advance reproductive success through WPP, show that correlations can arise between female ornamentation and patterns of EPP, and also uniquely suggest that social pairing patterns may influence extra-pair mating strategies. 相似文献
16.
Theresa R. Pope 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1990,27(6):439-446
Summary Variance in male reproductive success in single and multi-male red howler (Alouatta seniculus) troops was examined through paternity exclusion using genetic markers. Coalitions of relatives were compared to coalitions of non-relatives with regard to duration, stability, and number of offspring expected for each participant based on paternity exclusion results. No evidence of paternity by males living outside of the troop was found. In multi-male troops, only the dominant male was found to father offspring conceived during his tenure. This was the only male observed to mount females. In both troops examined genetically wherein a status change had occurred, paternity changed with status. Coalitions of relatives and potential relatives lasted significantly longer than coalitions of non-relatives, and experienced fewer status changes between males. A direct advantage of forming a coalition for both dominant and subordinate red howler males resulted from the superior competitive ability of coalitions over single males in establishing and maintaining tenure in the limited number of female troops in the population. Although the mating success of a subordinate male in a coalition appears to be extremely low, his chances of achieving membership in a bisexual troop as a single male may be even lower. Since the majority of troops in the population during any given year were multi-male or age-graded male (85%–96%), the number of troops that a single male would be able to invade unaided was very small. A subordinate male may be able to assume dominance, particularly if he is a subadult. In coalitions in which males are related, the subordinate male will further benefit from inclusive fitness. A dominant male that forms a coalition with a relative can expect to have longer reproductive tenure than in a troop with a non-relative, thereby producing more offspring and directly enhancing his fitness. Anecdotal evidence suggests that males choose relatives over non-relatives as coalition partners when possible. 相似文献
17.
Our view of avian mating systems has been revolutionised by the use of molecular tools that have provided evidence supporting theoretical predictions that extrapair paternity (EPP) and intra-specific brood parasitism (IBP) would be widely observed alternative mating strategies in socially monogamous species. Quasi-parasitism (QP) is a third type of alternative mating strategy, where a female lays an egg in another females nest and that egg is fertilised by the male partner at the parasitised nest. In contrast to both EPP and IBP, QP has been reported in only 12 species to date. We explore reasons for the apparent rarity of QP in birds and conclude that it is only likely to be adaptive in a fairly restrictive set of circumstances. We also review all of the evidence for the occurrence of QP in birds and find that it is far more limited than generally believed, as many apparent examples may be explained by rapid mate--switching or errors in molecular analysis of parentage. We suggest a number of criteria that need to be met for an unequivocal demonstration that QP has actually occurred.Communicated by: A. Cockburn 相似文献
18.
Male-biased size dimorphism is usually expected to evolve in taxa with intense male–male competition for mates, and it is
hence associated with high variances in male mating success. Most species of pycnogonid sea spiders exhibit female-biased
size dimorphism, and are notable among arthropods for having exclusive male parental care of embryos. Relatively little, however,
is known about their natural history, breeding ecology, and mating systems. Here we first show that Ammothella biunguiculata, a small intertidal sea spider, exhibits male-biased size dimorphism. Moreover, we combine genetic parentage analysis with
quantitative measures of sexual selection to show that male body size does not appear to be under directional selection. Simulations
of random mating revealed that mate acquisition in this species is largely driven by chance factors, although actual paternity
success is likely non-randomly distributed. Finally, the opportunity for sexual selection (I
s), an indirect metric for the potential strength of sexual selection, in A. biunguiculata males was less than half of that estimated in a sea spider with female-biased size dimorphism, suggesting the direction of
size dimorphism may not be a reliable predictor of the intensity of sexual selection in this group. We highlight the suitability
of pycnogonids as model systems for addressing questions relating parental investment and sexual selection, as well as the
current lack of basic information on their natural history and breeding ecology. 相似文献
19.
Genetic monogamy in the common loon (Gavia immer) 总被引:4,自引:0,他引:4
Walter H. Piper David C. Evers Michael W. Meyer Keren B. Tischler Joseph D. Kaplan Robert C. Fleischer 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1997,41(1):25-31
We conducted behavioral observations and genetic analysis on breeding pairs of common loons in the upper Great Lakes region
from 1993 through 1995 to look for behavioral evidence of extrapair copulations (EPCs) and to determine parentage of young.
Pairs remained close to each other (usually within 20 m) during the pre-laying period, leaving little opportunity for EPCs
to occur. Males and females both maintained physical proximity by approaching each other when they became separated. Copulations
were obvious but infrequent, occurring about once every other day during the pre-laying period. Multilocus DNA fingerprinting
was consistent with behavioral findings: 58 young from 47 different families were all genetic offspring of parents that raised
them. Perfect genetic monogamy (genetic parentage of young by parents that rear them) in loons might arise as a consequence
of the need for vigorous territorial defense to prevent territorial takeover.
Received: 8 August 1996 / Accepted after revision: 22 March 1997 相似文献
20.
Peter M. Kappeler 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1997,41(2):115-127
The primates of Madagascar (Lemuriformes) deviate from fundamental predictions of sexual selection theory in that polygynous
species lack sexual dimorphism, have even adult sex ratios and often live in female-dominated societies. It has been hypothesized
that intrasexual selection in these species is either reduced or primarily focused on traits related to scramble competition.
The goal of this study was to examine these hypotheses by studying the mating system of a solitary nocturnal species, Mirzacoquereli. During a 4-year field study in western Madagascar, I captured and followed 88 individually marked animals. I found that
adult males were significantly larger than females, providing the first evidence for sexual size dimorphism in lemurs. In
addition, the adult sex ratio was biased in favour of females in 3 out of 4 years. There was no significant sex difference
in canine size, however. Males showed pronounced seasonal variation in testis size with a 5-fold increase before and during
the short annual mating season. During the mating season, males had more injuries than females and more than quadrupled their
home ranges, overlapping with those of more than ten females, but also with about the same number of rivals. Only about one
social interaction per 10 h of observation was recorded, but none of them were matings. Together, these results indicate that
these solitary lemurs are clearly subject to intrasexual selection and that male-male competition is primarily, but not exclusively,
of the scramble type. In addition, they suggest that the above-mentioned idiosyncracies may be limited to group-living lemurs,
that social systems of solitary primates are more diverse than previously thought, and that the temporal distribution of receptive
females is responsible for this particular male mating strategy.
Received: 11 January 1997 / Accepted after revision: 18 April 1997 相似文献