Alternative reproductive tactics in the territorial damselflyCalopteryx maculata: sneaking by older males |
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Authors: | Adrian Forsyth Robert D Montgomerie |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, Queen's University, K7L 3N6 Kingston, Ontario, Canada |
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Abstract: | Summary We conducted daily censuses on a marked population of the damselflyCalopteryx maculata for two complete breeding seasons to document the reproductive tactics of individual males. Overall, 78% of the 600 males
studied defended territories and 14% of those territorial males were also observed engaged in sneaking behaviour on some days.
When sneaking, males did not defend territories but attempted to steal females from other males' territories. Sneakers were
usually previously successful territorial males who emerged early in the season and began sneaking relatively late in their
lives (Fig. 2). Thus the adoption of sneaking was conditional and related to both male age and population density. We suggest
that sneaking, in this species, is a “make the best of a bad situation” tactic adopted when intense male-male competition
forced older males to abandon territoriality. Thus, sneaking allowed males with declining resource holding potential to prolong
their reproductive careers after they were no longer able to hold a territory. |
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