Sperm allocation in an uncertain world |
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Authors: | Alison Galvani Rufus Johnstone |
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Institution: | (1) New College, Oxford University, Oxford, OX1 3BN, UK, GB;(2) Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Dowing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK e-mail: raj1003@hermes.cam.ac.uk, Tel.: +44-1223-336685, Fax: +44-1223-336676, GB |
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Abstract: | Models of optimal sperm allocation are constructed using stochastic dynamic programming techniques, yielding predictions
about sperm allocation when males mate sequentially, breeding time is finite, sperm stores are limited and females vary in
quality. The models suggest that uncertainty of future reproductive opportunities should favour withholding of sperm, so that
males tend to allocate less (for a given level of stored sperm) earlier in the breeding season. This effect is more pronounced
the greater the variance in female quality. We also show that while allocation will be influenced by mate value, it is not
necessarily optimal to allocate preferentially to high-quality females, since the benefits of a higher-quality mate may be
offset by increased risk of rejection of sperm or higher sperm competition. The relationship between mate quality and level
of allocation will depend strongly on the amount of remaining stored sperm, with males whose supplies are depleted being more
likely to favour lower-quality partners.
Received: 12 September 1997 / Accepted after revision: 28 June 1998 |
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Keywords: | Sperm competition Mate choice Sexual selection Dynamic programming |
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