Influence of operational sex ratio and male age on mating competition intensity in reindeer (<i>Rangifer tarandus</i>)

Driscoll, Jeffrey G.; Alo, Franco M.; Paoli, Amélie; Weladji, Robert B.; Holand, Øystein; Kumpula, Jouko; Soveri, Timo

doi:10.1080/03949370.2021.1975997

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…In the case of short-term fluctuations, OSR theory assumes that individuals plastically adjust their behaviour to the perceived social environment. Empirical work generally supports plastic response of sexual display to OSR (reviewed in de Jong et al 2012, see also : Chuard et al 2016, Weladji et al 2017, Villarreal et al 2018, Munõz-Arroyo et al 2019, Driscoll et al 2022, Chuard et al 2022. However, as pointed out first by de Jong et al (2012), these studies lack a consistent and explicit framework, which makes it difficult to draw comparisons and generalise.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual display behaviour follows consistent sex-specific reaction norms across latitude in response to operational sex-ratio

Martinossi-Allibert,

Wacker,

Aparicio Estalella

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Predicting the strength and direction of sexual selection is a challenging task for evolutionary theory, as the effects of ecological factors, social environment, and behavioural plasticity, all need to be taken into account. The Operational Sex Ratio (OSR) is a key variable, which has been shown to (i) affect the strength and direction of mating competition, as a social environment cue, and (ii) be affected itself by ecological conditions through sex-specific environmental effects. Yet, gaining a global view of (i) and (ii) in wild populations represents an arduous but necessary step to further our understanding of sexual selection dynamics in the wild. Here, we address this challenge by using reaction norms. We conducted an extensive field study on the two-spotted goby Pomatoschistus flavescens, monitoring six populations along a latitudinal gradient during an entire breeding season. Doing so, we compared across populations the temporal trajectories in social environment and sexual displays, which is unprecedented. We develop a reaction norm framework based on OSR theory to analyse the data. We show that what appears to be tremendous variation in sexual displays across populations and sampling times, follows consistent rules: sexual display behaviour follows behavioural reaction norms in response to the social environment that are consistent across populations, but social environment fluctuations are specific to each population. Recording behaviour not only over time, but also along a latitudinal gradient where ecological conditions change and in turn affect OSR, was necessary to gain insight into the relationship between social environment and sexual displays, which in turn contributes to sexual selection dynamics.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual display behaviour follows consistent sex-specific reaction norms across latitude in response to operational sex-ratio

Martinossi-Allibert,

Wacker,

Aparicio Estalella

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…Empirical work on some mammals has provided evidence for a relationship between the operational sex ratio and competition over mates. For instance, in reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus ), female-female competition for males was higher in a group with a female-skewed operational sex ratio than in a group where the sex ratio was balanced (Driscoll et al, 2022). Similarly, in vervet monkeys ( Chlorocebus pygerythrus ), male-male fights were more frequent in groups with male-skewed operational sex ratios (Hemelrijk et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When the operational sex ratio is skewed, theory predicts there will be higher competition amongst the more abundant sex over access to the less abundant sex (Kvarnemo and Ahnesjo, 1996; Clutton-Brock and Parker, 1992; Emlen and Oring, 1977). For instance, in reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus ), female-female competition for males was higher in a group with a female-skewed operational sex ratio than in a group where the sex ratio was balanced (Driscoll et al, 2022). Similarly, in vervet monkeys ( Chlorocebus pygerythrus ), male-male fights were more frequent in groups with male-skewed operational sex ratios (Hemelrijk et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socioecological drivers of injuries in female and male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Pavez-Fox,

Siracusa,

Ellis

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Competition over access to resources, such as food and mates, is believed to be one of the major costs associated with group living. Two socioecological factors suggested to predict the intensity of competition are group size and the relative abundance of sexually active individuals. However, empirical evidence linking these factors to costs of competition, such as injury risk, is scarce. Here, we leveraged 10 years of data from free-ranging rhesus macaques where injuries are associated with a high mortality risk. We tested if intra-specific variation in group size and adult sex ratio predicted injury risk and physical aggression. We found that males were less likely to be injured when living in larger groups potentially due to advantages in intergroup encounters. Females, instead, had higher injury risk when living in larger groups but this was not explained by within-group competition among females. Further, male-biased sex ratios were positively related to male-female aggression, indicating that male coercion during mating competition may be a cause of injuries in females. Overall, our results provide insights into sex differences in the fitness-related costs of competition and empirical evidence for long-standing predictions on the evolution of group living.

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Adult sex ratio influences courtship behaviour, contest behaviour and breeding success in Onthophagus taurus

Zhang,

Sliep,

Versteegh

et al. 2024

Animal Behaviour

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Influence of operational sex ratio and male age on mating competition intensity in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

Cited by 3 publications

References 72 publications

Sexual display behaviour follows consistent sex-specific reaction norms across latitude in response to operational sex-ratio

Sexual display behaviour follows consistent sex-specific reaction norms across latitude in response to operational sex-ratio

Socioecological drivers of injuries in female and male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Adult sex ratio influences courtship behaviour, contest behaviour and breeding success in Onthophagus taurus

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