Estimating paternity with spatial behaviour and DNA fingerprinting in the striped plateau lizard, Sceloporus virgatus (Phrynosomatidae) |
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Authors: | Allison J Abell |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, 940 E 57th St., Chicago, IL 60637, USA, US |
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Abstract: | The association between spatial proximity and paternity was studied in a population of the striped plateau lizard, Sceloporus virgatus. The relationship between estimated mating success and male phenotypic traits was examined for a sample of 55 males. DNA
samples were obtained from 13 female-offspring families. The males with the closest spatial proximity to each female were
tested as possible sires within each family. Fingerprinting with two multilocus hypervariable minisatellite probes revealed
a strong correspondence between male-female spatial proximity and actual paternity. Paternity could be assigned for 72 of
the 100 hatchlings. Most hatchlings with identifiable sires were attributed to a male with the highest category of spatial
proximity to the mother. However, there was a low to moderate level of multiple paternity within clutches, and for some clutches
probable sires could not be identified even though the most likely behavioural candidates were tested. Thus, nonterritorial
males or other males lacking strong social and spatial relationships with females may achieve some degree of reproductive
success. Analysis of mating success revealed that male success increased with body size, up to a point beyond which larger
size conferred no advantage.
Received: 7 January 1997 / Accepted after revision: 16 June 1997 |
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Keywords: | Paternity DNA fingerprinting Sceloporus Mating system Animal spacing |
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