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1.
Parental investment, potential reproductive rates, and mating system in the strawberry dart-poison frog, Dendrobates pumilio 总被引:1,自引:0,他引:1
We studied the effect of relative parental investment on potential reproductive rates (PRRs) to explain sex differences in
selectivity and competition in the dart-poison frog Dendrobates pumilio. We recorded the reproductive behavior of this species in a Costa Rican lowland rainforest for almost 6 months. Females spent
more time on parental care than males, and `time out' estimates suggest that PRRs of males are much higher than than those
of females, rendering females the limiting sex in the mating process. Males defended territories that provide suitable calling
sites, space for courtship and oviposition, and prevent interference by competitors. Male mating success was highly variable,
from 0 to 12 matings, and was significantly correlated with calling activity and average perch height, but was independent
of body size and weight. Estimates of opportunity for sexual selection and variation in male mating success are given. The
mating system is polygamous: males and females mated several times with different mates. Females were more selective than
males and may sample males between matings. The discrepancy in PRRs between the sexes due to differences in parental investment
and the prolonged breeding season is sufficient to explain the observed mating pattern i.e., selective females, high variance
in male mating success, and the considerable opportunity for sexual selection.
Received: 9 June 1998 / Received in revised form: 27 March 1999 / Accepted: 3 April 1999 相似文献
2.
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
3.
Parker's seminal work brought attention to the possibility of postmating sexual selection by non-random fertilization success.
Mechanisms for these processes are still only partly understood and there is clearly a need for more studies of intraspecific
variation in sperm precedence. Here, we report results from an experimental study of the variation in fertilization success
between males of the water strider Gerris lacustris. Genital morphology, male body size, and copulation duration were examined as possible correlates of paternity. The significance
of guarding duration was also analysed. Only male genital morphology was correlated to fertilization success. This is one
of the first studies showing a relationship between male genital traits and fertilization success, supporting the view that
sexual selection may be responsible for the rapid and divergent evolution of genital structures in animals with internal fertilization.
The fertilization success of last males varied considerably after double matings with a short mating interval (10 min). Last-male
priority ranged from 0 to 100% and usually one of the males involved fertilized almost all the eggs. After double matings
with a short mating interval, the proportion of eggs fertilized by the last male averaged 0.68 and was greater than 0.5. In
contrast, the average fertilization success was biased towards the first male when the matings were more spread out over time
(24 h). These results do not support earlier suggestions of a widespread last-male sperm priority in water striders.
Received: 28 July 1998 / Received in revised form: 15 March 1999 / Accepted: 28 March 1999 相似文献
4.
Female distribution affects mate searching and sexual selection in male northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon) 总被引:2,自引:0,他引:2
Mating systems and sexual selection are assumed to be affected by the distribution of critical resources. We use observations
of 312 mating aggregations to compare mate-searching success of male northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon) in two marshes in which differences in mating substrate availability resulted in more than fourfold differences in female
dispersion. Reproductive males had significantly larger home ranges where females were dispersed than where females were clumped.
The number of females encountered by males increased significantly with male home range size where females were dispersed,
and decreased significantly where females were clumped. Where females were clumped, males were more likely to encounter other
males when they located females. We found no evidence in either population that mate searching was energetically expensive
or that males with relatively more energy had larger home ranges. However, males with greater fat reserves at the start of
the season participated in more mating aggregations when females were dispersed, suggesting that fat reserves could affect
a male’s willingness to attempt mating or to persist in aggregations. When females were dispersed there was weak stabilizing
selection acting to maintain male body size (β=–0.14), but strong directional selection favoring larger (β=0.50) and fatter
(β=0.37) males. Over 7 years, the intensity of selection favoring larger males varied substantially (β=0.14–1.15), but that
variation was not related to variation in the operational sex ratio. We found no evidence of directional selection on either
body size (β=0.05) or fat reserves (β=0.10) of males when females were spatially clumped. Overall, the distribution of females
had a pronounced effect on male behavior, on the factors that affected male success in locating females, and probably on the
extent of sperm competition once females had been located.
Received: 23 November 1998 / Received in revised form: 9 August 1999 / Accepted: 18 August 1999 相似文献
5.
The aim of this study was to investigate reproductive strategies and their consequences in gray mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus), small solitary nocturnal primates endemic to Madagascar. Previous reports of sexual dimorphism in favor of males and females,
respectively, a high potential for sperm competition and pheromonal suppression of mating activity among captive males, led
us to investigate mechanisms of intrasexual competition in a wild population. Based on 3 years of mark-recapture data, we
demonstrate that sexual dimorphism in this species fluctuated annually as a result of independent changes in male and female
body mass. Male body mass increased significantly prior to the short annual mating season. Because their testes increased
by 100% in the same period and because their canines are not larger than those of females, we suggest that large male size
may be advantageous in searching for estrous females and in enabling them to sustain periods of short-term torpor. In contrast
to reports from captive colonies, we found no evidence for two morphologically distinct classes of males. Finally, we also
show that most adult males are active throughout the cool dry season that precedes the mating season, whereas most adult females
hibernate for several months. This is in contrast to other solitary hibernating mammals, where males typically emerge 1–2
weeks before females. Thus, this first extended field study of M.␣murinus clarified previous conflicting reports on sexual dimorphism and male reproductive strategies in this primitive primate by
showing that their apparent deviation from predictions of sexual selection theory is brought about by specific environmental
conditions which result in sex-specific life history tactics not previously described for mammals. A general conclusion is
that sexual selection can operate more strongly on males without resulting in sexual dimorphism because of independent selection
on the same traits in females.
Received: 6 July 1997 / Accepted after revision: 28 March 1998 相似文献
6.
Sexual signalling and viability in a wolf spider (Hygrolycosa rubrofasciata): measurements under laboratory and field conditions 总被引:4,自引:0,他引:4
Janne S. Kotiaho Rauno V. Alatalo Johanna Mappes Silja Parri 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1999,46(2):123-128
This study examined the crucial prediction of the conditional-handicap theory, the relationship between male sexual trait
size and male viability, in the wolf spider Hygrolycosa rubrofasciata. In this species, males court females by drumming dry leaves with their abdomen, and males with the highest drumming rate
enjoy highest mating success. We determined male drumming rate, body mass, and mobility, which reflects mate-searching activity,
in relation to male survival. Because it is often difficult to know how results obtained from laboratory studies reflect the
natural world, particularly when the measured variable is survival, we repeated our study in both laboratory and field conditions.
Males drumming at the highest rate survived better than males drumming at a lower rate in both laboratory and field conditions.
These results are in accordance with the predictions of conditional-handicap models of sexual selection. Survival was independent
of male body mass and there was no significant correlation between male drumming activity and body mass. However, large males
moved further than smaller males, and males moving longer distances lost less mass than those moving shorter distances. These
results suggest that, moving, and consequently mate-searching activity, may be a condition-dependent trait and that there
may be a advantage for large males in mate searching.
Received: 22 October 1998 / Received in revised form: 28 January 1999 / Accepted: 14 February 1999 相似文献
7.
Exaggerated male eye span influences contest outcome in stalk-eyed flies (Diopsidae) 总被引:3,自引:0,他引:3
Evolution of male weapons or status signals has been hypothesized to precede evolution of female mating preferences for those
traits. We used staged male fights among three species of Malaysian stalk-eyed flies (Diptera: Diopsidae) to determine if
elongated eye span, which is preferred by females in two sexually dimorphic species, influences contest outcome. Extreme sexual
dimorphism, with large males possessing longer eye span than females, is shared by Cyrtodiopsis whitei and C. dalmanni. In contrast, C. quinqueguttata exhibits a more ancestral condition – short, sexually monomorphic eye stalks. Videotape analysis of 20-min paired contests
revealed that males with larger eye span and body size won more fights in the dimorphic, but not monomorphic, species. To
determine if males from the dimorphic species use eye span directly to resolve contests, we competed male C. dalmanni from lines that had undergone artificial selection for 30 generations to increase or decrease eye span. We found that eye
span, independently of body size, determines contest outcome in selected-line males. Furthermore, in both dimorphic species,
the average encounter duration declined as the eye span difference between contestants increased, as expected if males use
eye span to assess opponent size. The number of encounters also increased with age in dimorphic, but not monomorphic, species.
Selected-line males did not differ from outbred males in either fight duration or number of encounters. We conclude that exaggerated
male eye stalks evolved to influence both competitive interactions and female mating preferences in these spectacular flies.
Received: 20 July 1998 / Received in revised form: 2 February 1999 / Accepted: 12 March 1999 相似文献
8.
Ben C. Sheldon Pete Davidson Gabriella Lindgren 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1999,46(3):141-148
There is increasing evidence that sexual selection may be intense even in socially monogamous birds, resulting from both
mate choice and sperm competition. We studied these two modes of sexual selection experimentally by removing paired male collared
flycatchers, Ficedula albicollis, from their mates for 2 days and investigating the factors that influenced the likelihood of a replacement male appearing
and how the removals influenced paternity. Replacement males (usually neighbouring males) appeared at 81% (n = 37) of nests where males were removed. The likelihood of this appearance was unaffected by the probable reproductive value
of the female's clutch to the replacing male. A replacement was, however, less likely when the original male had a large forehead
patch, a trait previously shown to be subject to sexual selection in this population. Experimental removal of males increased
the level of sperm competition: 74% of experimental broods were multiply sired, compared to 29% of unmanipulated broods in
a previous study. Only two factors predicted how paternity was shared between males: removed males fathered more young if
removed closer to laying, and if they had larger forehead patches. The former result is consistent with last-male sperm precedence
determining paternity, whereas the latter adds to other evidence that forehead patch size is the target of female preference
in this species. Our results suggest that females exert some control over male replacement, and also that they may influence
the fertilisation success of males by behavioural means.
Received: 15 July 1998 / Received in revised form: 16 March 1999 / Accepted: 28 March 1999 相似文献
9.
The genetic mating system of a sex-role-reversed pipefish (Syngnathus typhle): a molecular inquiry 总被引:4,自引:0,他引:4
Adam G. Jones Gunilla Rosenqvist Anders Berglund John C. Avise 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1999,46(5):357-365
In the pipefish Syngnathus typhle as in other species of Syngnathidae, developing embryos are reared on the male's ventral surface. Although much laboratory
research has been directed toward understanding sexual selection in this sex-role-reversed species, few studies have addressed
the mating behavior of S. typhle in the wild, and none has capitalized upon the power of molecular genetic assays. Here we present the first direct assessment
of the genetic mating system of S. typhle in nature. Novel microsatellite loci were cloned and characterized from this species, and employed to assay entire broods
from 30 pregnant, field-captured males. Genetic analysis of 1340 embryos revealed that 1–6 females (mean = 3.1) contributed
to each brooded clutch, the highest rate of multiple maternity yet documented in any pipefish. Evidence of multiple mating
by females was also detected. Thus, this population of S. typhle displays a polygynandrous mating system, a finding consistent with previous field and laboratory observations. Our results,
considered together with similar studies of other syngnathid species, provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that
the genetic mating system is related to the evolution of sexual dimorphism in the fish family Syngnathidae.
Received: 19 January 1999 / Received in revised form: 15 April 1999 / Accepted: 9 May 1999 相似文献
10.
M. Pyron 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》2000,48(2):132-136
Most comparative analyses of relative testes mass find that testes are larger in species in which more sperm competition is
predicted (multiple males mate with individual females). I tested for differences in adjusted testes mass (for body mass)
by spawning mode and by sexual size dimorphism in a comparative analysis of 37 minnow species. No significant differences
were found for testes mass by spawning mode or sexual size dimorphism. These results imply a lack of response to selection
on testes size from sperm competition in minnow species. Possible explanations for the lack of the expected relationship between
testes mass and mating systems in minnows are presented.
Received: 8 November 1999 / Received in revised form: 27 January 2000 / Accepted: 13 February 2000 相似文献
11.
In many salmonid species, males exhibit morphological dimorphism associated with alternative mating behaviors. ”Precocious
males” have a small body size with little or no development of sexual characters and adopt sneaking to gain access to females,
while ”migratory males” of large body size and well-developed secondary sexual characters fight. We quantified selection on
precocious male parr of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) under simulated natural conditions to examine the contribution of morphology to sneaking success. In contrast to the prediction
that sneaking behavior favors small body size, we detected selection favoring relatively large body size for sneaking success.
This selection pressure was caused by the dominance hierarchy within parr and may have been facilitated by indifference of
dominant migratory males to parr. Unlike the secondary sexual characters exhibited by migratory male salmon, such as the hooked
snout and humped back, no morphological characters other than body size contributed to the reproductive success of masu salmon
parr. This non-contribution may have been responsible for the lack of development of sexual characters in precocious males.
Received: 15 November 1999 / Accepted: 20 May 2000 相似文献
12.
Sex ratios,mating behavior and sexual size dimorphism of the northern water snake,Nerodia sipedon 总被引:4,自引:0,他引:4
Patrick J. Weatherhead Frances E. Barry Gregory P. Brown Mark R. L. Forbes 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1995,36(5):301-311
Competition among males to mate is generally associated with male-biased size dimorphism. In this study we examine mating behavior in the northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon), a species in which males are much smaller than females despite substantial competition among males to mate. Competition among males was a consequence of a male-biased operational sex ratio due to slightly higher female mortality from a birth sex ratio of 1 : 1, and, in 1 year, more synchronous and longer mating activity by males. Approximately one-third of both males and females appeared not to mate in a given year. Larger males were generally more likely to attempt mating, but size did not explain the variance in the number of aggregations in which individual males participated. Within aggregations, males that were successful at achieving intromission were larger than unsuccessful males in 1 of 2 years. Variation in condition (mass relative to length) and relative tail length were not generally useful predictors of either mating effort or success in males. Because large size was often advantageous to males, sexual size dimorphism appeared not to be a consequence of sexual selection favoring smaller males. Because sexual dimorphism was evident at birth, and both males and females matured sexually at about 4 years, sexual dimorphism was not simply a consequence of one sex growing at the maximum rate for longer. Female fecundity increased with size, and sex differences in size-fecundity relations may underly the pattern of sexual size dimorphism. However, because multiple mating by females is common, sperm competition is likely to be important in determining male reproductive success. Therefore, allocation of energy to sperm rather than growth may also prove to be an important influence on male growth rates and sexual size dimorphism. 相似文献
13.
Sexual dimorphism has been linked to parasitoid mating structure by several authors. In turn mating structure has an important
influence on predicted sex ratio optima. Here we test the relationship between sexual dimorphism and sex ratio using data
from 19 species of bethylid wasps. Using phylogenetically based comparative methods we confirm the findings of a previous
cross-species analysis that sex ratio (proportion of males) is strongly and negatively correlated with clutch size. Using
cross-species comparisons we show an additional positive correlation of sex ratio and relative male size, as predicted. The
relationship however is not significant when using phylogenetically based methods. The cross-species result is largely due
to differences between two bethylid sub-families: the Epyrinae have relatively large males and relatively high sex ratios,
whereas the Bethylinae have relatively small males and lower sex ratios. Our study illustrates the benefits and drawbacks
of using cross-species versus phylogenetically based comparisons.
Received: 13 May 1997 / Accepted after revision: 12 January 1998 相似文献
14.
We studied sexual selection in the red bishop, Euplectes orix, a colonial, polygynous weaverbird widely distributed over sub-Saharan Africa. Male reproductive success measured in terms
of the number of nests accepted by females and the number of eggs and nestlings in all the nests on a male's territory varied
considerably. The standardized variance (variance/mean2) in male reproductive success ranged from 0.505 to 1.737 in different years, indicating a high potential for sexual selection
in this species. An analysis of genetic parentage for 432 nestlings by non-radioactive, multilocus DNA fingerprinting confirmed
that male reproductive success (number of young sired on the territory) in this species can be reliably estimated by the measures
introduced above. In all 4 study years there was a strong positive correlation between male mating success and the total number
of nests that males built in their territories. The number of nests built can be partitioned into the number of weeks a male
held a territory and his nest-building performance. Both factors exert a significant positive effect on male mating success
and in combination explained between 53.3 and 86.3% of the variation in male reproductive success. Male morphological characters
were found to be of no importance. Males that established a territory in the following season built more nests and held their
territories for longer than males that did not establish a territory in the following season, suggesting that these measures
might be indicators of male condition and quality. Male nest-building performance (number of nests built per week) seems to
be unrelated to male condition or quality.
Received: 8 January 1999 / Received in revised form: 7 June 1999 / Accepted: 13 June 1999 相似文献
15.
Two species of seed-eating true bugs, Neacoryphus bicrucis (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) and Margus obscurator (Heteroptera: Coreidae) co-occur on ragwort, Senecio tomentosus, in southern Georgia, USA. Males of both species sometimes engage in chases and protracted grappling with females that flee
initial mountings. Sometimes genital coupling occurs while the wriggling female is restrained in the male's grasp. Chases,
grappling, and mounting attempts are misdirected toward heterospecific females, heterospecific males, or conspecific males.
In a laboratory study, confinement of mated N. bicrucis females with either conspecific or heterospecific males reduced fecundity by approximately one-half relative to mated females
confined only with other females. Perhaps as a consequence of this, N. bicrucis females frequently leave areas of high host plant density, where they prefer to oviposit, when males are abundant. The abundance
of each species is positively correlated with host plant density but the two species rarely occur together on the same plants.
This may be an effect of heterospecific courtship which induces the flight of N. bicrucis more than the flight of M. obscurator. The laboratory results suggest that copulations following chases and grappling represent sexual harassment, not a mechanism
of active female choice for a vigorous mate. As sexual harassment imposes high fitness costs that favor abandonment of host
plants, it may, when misdirected, incidentally limit habitat use by ecologically similar species.
Received: 3 October 1998 / Received in revised form: 21 January 1999 / Accepted: 14 February 1999 相似文献
16.
Sperm competition and sexual selection: a meta-analysis of paternity studies of birds 总被引:8,自引:0,他引:8
Sperm competition (the competition among the sperm of different males for fertilization of the eggs of a female) has been
suggested to be an important component of sexual selection, but no general assessment has been made of this proposition. We
used a meta-analytic approach to assess the extensive literature on paternity (the proportion of offspring in a focal nest
sired by an attending male) in birds based on allozyme and molecular techniques. The relative variance in male mating success
was on average increased by a factor of 4.6 over the variance in apparent male success. Males with more extravagant secondary
sexual characters had higher paternity in their own nests than less adorned males. There was a weak effect of male age being
positively associated with paternity in own nests. Male body size measured as the length of wing and tarsus was weakly positively
associated with paternity in own nests. Male survival prospect was positively associated with paternity in own nests. Polygynous
males generally had decreased paternity of their broods compared to monogamous males. Paternity of the resident male decreased
with increasing population density and breeding asynchrony. The intensity of paternity guards such as within-pair copulation
rate and mate guarding were not significantly related to extra-pair paternity. Sperm competition was thus an important component
of sexual selection by increasing the variance in male mating success, and by being associated with the expression of secondary
sexual characters, in particular in dense and asynchronously breeding populations of birds.
Received: 12 February 1998 / Accepted after revision: 31 May 1998 相似文献
17.
The diversity of mammalian mating systems is primarily shaped by sex-specific reproductive strategies. In the present study, we explored determinants and consequences of a unique mating system exhibited by fossas (Cryptoprocta ferox), the largest Malagasy carnivore, where females mate polyandrously on traditional mating trees, and males exhibit intrasexual size dimorphism. Males face both contest and scramble competition, and inter-sexual size dimorphism can be pronounced, but its magnitude depends on the male morph. Using a continuous behavioral observation of six estrous females over 4 years, we investigated correlates of male contest competition and female choice based on 316 copulations. Furthermore, we assessed correlates of male scramble competition based on testes size and movement data obtained from GPS tracking. We found that females dominated males regardless of their smaller size and that females actively solicited copulations. Heavy males had highest mating success during the female’s peak mating activity, but were discriminated against afterwards. Female choice and male–male competition thus converged to generate a mating advantage for heavier males. Our results suggest that females actively seek polyandrous matings, presumably for indirect genetic benefits. Since body mass is the major determinant of male mating success and is at the same time dependent on the degree of sociality and associated hunting mode of the respective male morph, a male’s feeding ecology is likely to influence its reproductive tactic. A combination of benefits from female polyandry and the consequences of different subsistence strategies may thus ultimately explain this unusual mating system. 相似文献
18.
The evolution of empty nuptial gifts in a dance fly, Empis snoddyi (Diptera: Empididae): bigger isn't always better 总被引:2,自引:0,他引:2
Jennifer A. Sadowski Allen J. Moore Edmund D. Brodie III 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1999,45(3-4):161-166
Adaptive female choice is thought to have led to the evolution of nutritionally valuable nuptial gifts in many insect species.
However, in several dance fly species, males offer and females accept “empty gifts” with no nutritional value. In the species
studied here, Empis snoddyi Steyskal, males produce empty balloons comprised of hundreds of silk bubbles and form mating swarms that females approach
to investigate males. Males within the swarm engage in agonistic interactions. The empty balloon has been hypothesized to
be an indicator of male condition such that males with larger balloons are predicted to have higher mating success and be
more successful in male-male interactions than males with smaller balloons. We examined the role of male body size and balloon
size in the context of intersexual and intrasexual selection. We found that neither male body size nor balloon size affected
the outcome of pairwise male-male interactions. Using multiple-regression techniques, we found significant linear selection
for increasing male body size and decreasing balloon size associated with mating success, a surprising result given a positive
relationship between male body size and balloon size. A visualization of selection showed the highest peak of male mating
success for larger males with intermediate-size balloons. These results can be explained by a trade-off between long-range
attraction of females using large balloons and close-range attraction of females via improved flying efficiency associated
with smaller balloons. Both male body size and balloon size are important components in determining male mating success; however,
the empty balloon does not appear to play a typical role as a sexually selected ornament.
Received: 29 December 1997 / Accepted after revision: 7 October 1998 相似文献
19.
Seasonal variation in the relationship between cellular immune response and badge size in male house sparrows (Passer domesticus) 总被引:7,自引:2,他引:5
Guillermo Gonzalez Gabriele Sorci Florentino de Lope 《Behavioral ecology and sociobiology》1999,46(2):117-122
The immunocompetence handicap hypothesis postulates that secondary sexual traits are honest signals of male quality because
steroid hormones (such as corticosteroids and sex steroids), which are supposed to favor the development of secondary sexual
traits, may also have immunosuppressive effects. Certain secondary sexual traits are not only used as mate choice signals
but also play a role as badges of status. In the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), males have a bib of black feathers which is used both as a signal of social status in male-male interactions and by females
when choosing a mate. We investigated the relationships between bib size and cellular immune response in male house sparrows
during and outside the reproductive season. Males with large badges were found to have lower levels of immunocompetence, as
assessed using a T-cell-mediated immunity assay, during the reproductive season, as predicted by the immunocompetence handicap
hypothesis. Conversely, in November, the correlation between badge size and cellular immune response was positive, possibly
reflecting the better access to trophic resources of large-badged dominant males in winter flocks.
Received: 24 September 1998 / Received in revised form: 2 February 1999 / Accepted: 14 February 1999 相似文献
20.
Sexual selection is often characterized by polygynous breeding systems, size dimorphism, and skewed operational sex ratios.
Koalas are sexually dimorphic in multiple domains, yet are absent from the literature on sexual selection and the structure
of their mating system is unclear. We provide the first documentation of the strength of sexual selection in koalas by using
microsatellite markers to identify sires. We combine the genetic data with morphological data in order to assess the role
of body size in regulating reproductive output. During our 4-year study, 37% of males were identified as possible sires. Males
were significantly larger than females, with sires heavier than non-sires. Male body mass correlated with annual reproductive
output, with Crow’s Index of Opportunity for Selection revealing that variation in male reproductive success was threefold
higher than that of females. Since it appears that male koalas rarely engage in physical confrontations over access to females,
size dimorphism could be based upon non-agonistic competition and/or female mate choice. We propose that size dimorphism in
koalas evolved as a consequence of endurance rivalry promoting vocal sexual advertisements that attract females. We suggest
that female choice is a key mediator of male reproductive output. 相似文献