Black Grouse leks on ice: Female mate sampling by incitation of male competition? |
| |
Authors: | Matti Hovi Rauno V Alatalo Pirkko Siikamäki |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, University of Jyväskylä, Box 35, FIN-40351 Jyväskylä, Finland |
| |
Abstract: | Male-male competition is assumed to limit female choice of mates, but it may also help females to choose the most vigorous males. We studied the mate sampling behaviour of female black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) at spatially unstable leks on ice-covered lakes. In the absence of territories and site-dependence in outcomes of fights, the male dominance hierarchy is very evident on ice. When being courted by dominant males, females frequently tried to approach other males. This was frequently prevented because (1) the courting male and the approached male were involved in physical fight, or (2) the dominant male followed the female and the approached male escaped and avoided contact with him. These behaviours express dominance relationships, and the female behaviour could be considered as incitive. Rank in dominance hierarchy was a significant predictor of male mating success. In this case competition between males and female choice worked in parallel favouring male traits correlated with dominance. |
| |
Keywords: | Tetrao tetrix Lek Mate choice Mate competition Dominance |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|