Multiple Paternity and Similar Variance in Reproductive Success of Male and Female Wood Mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) Housed in an Enclosure

Abstract

The mating system and variance in individual reproductive success in wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) were analysed genetically and using observational studies within a large cage system in an outdoor enclosure. Four experimental groups contained four males and four females, each individually marked with a transponder (small computer chips injected under the skin) allowing individual detection of animals underground or within nest boxes without disturbance. The probability of paternity was analysed by comparing frequencies of cohabitation of males and females. In addition, DNA microsatellite analysis revealed reproductive success of each individual. Multiple paternity was found in 85% of all litters, which were sired by up to all four males. Males with a greater body mass, possibly indicative of a higher rank, sired more offspring than those with lower body mass. Interestingly, variance in the reproductive success of males and females did not differ. There was no indication that paternity could be assessed by the time males resided with a female shortly before she became pregnant. Our results indicate wood mice probably have a promiscuous mating system.

Interspecific social interactions and behavioral responses of Apodemus agrarius and Apodemus flavicollis to conspecific and heterospecific odors

“…It is considered that in promiscuous species, male traits such as body weight or dominance are Č −3.4 ± 0.8 −1.0 ± 0.9 −1.6 ± 0.9 1.2 ± 0.9 −1.6 ± 0.9 1.4 ± 0.9 −3.2 ± 0.9 not crucial in mate choice decisions because promiscuity leads to relatively equal individual reproductive success (Musolf 2002). On this base, the indifference of females to conspecific odors from the opposite sex could be explained against the background of the promiscuous mating of the wood mice (Bartmann and Gerlach 2001;Musolf 2002) and the striped field-mouse (Baker et al 1999). On the other hand, there are data that responses of adult male and female mammals to the odors of animals of the opposite sex can be modified by kinship and familiarity (Barnard and Fitzsimons 1988).…”

“…For instance, in captivity ihákova and Frynta (1996) observed a high aggressiveness between unrelated A. flavicollis individuals, leading to serious wounding or even killing of the subordinate male in the group. By molecular techniques it was demonstrated both in the wild and in an enclosure experiment that female A. agrarius as well as female A. sylvaticus mate and have offspring with more than one male at a time (Baker et al 1999;Bartmann and Gerlach 2001;Musolf 2002). However, the female A. sylvaticus showed a preference for unfamiliar and unrelated male odors compared to odors of familiar and even unfamiliar brothers (Musolf 2002).…”

How multiple mating by females affects sexual selection

“…¼ 5 + 2.23); note that as p 0 increases, the fraction of the total variance in offspring numbers, V total , that lies among the classes of mating and non-mating males, V among /V total (solid line), steadily increases. [18 -21]; (iv) evidence of differential insemination success or ejaculate retention induced within particular females by particular males [22]; and (v) evidence of mixed paternity within the clutches of individual females [23][24][25]. Until recently, relatively few studies have attempted to measure (vi) the variance in relative fitness arising from post-mating competition among males, or among hermaphroditic individuals emphasizing male function (i.e.…”

“…) rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org Phil Trans R Soc B 368: 20120046 Table 3. tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) [76] x Aves passerines (42 species) [82] stripe-backed wren [84] Mammalia Australian marsupials (Antechinus stuartii) [88] (þ) wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) [24] x…”

Polyandry Promotes Enhanced Offspring Survival in Decorated Crickets

“…2 males sire offspring within the same litter (Hanken and Sherman 1981;Foltz and Schwagmeyer 1989;Neff and Pitcher 2002;Van Horn et al 2008). Many studies have compared ARS of females that produce singly-sired litters with ARS of females that produce multiply-sired litters for animals living under either natural conditions or a combination of natural and laboratory conditions (e.g., Kawata 1988;Birkhead and Møller 1992;Bartmann and Gerlach 2001;Arnqvist and Rowe 2005;Wright et al 2013). A smaller number of studies, most of them under laboratory conditions, have compared female ARS versus the female's number of sexual partners (Evans and Magurran 2000;Hohoff et al 2003;Gowaty et al 2010;Firman and Simmons 2012).…”