On the function of the multiple-intromission, multiple-ejaculation copulatory patterns of rodents

Dewsbury, Donald A.

doi:10.3758/bf03333609

Cited by 41 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…That males should have reduced mount and intromission latencies and increased numbers of intromissions before ejaculating when mating with mated, rather than unmated, females also has been found previously (e.g., Dewsbury, 1979b;Dewsbury & Baumgardner, 1981). This is consistent with the proposed role of multiple intromissions in dislodging copulatory plugs (Dewsbury, 1981). Such effects were especially strong in the present study (see Table 7).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Studies of the effects of variation at the transferrin locus on reproductive processes in deer mice

Dewsbury¹

1985

Acta Theriol.

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., 1985: Studies of the effects of variation at} the transferrin locus on reproductive processes in deer mice. Acta theriol., 30, 13: 227-240 [With 7 Tables & 1 Fig.] The pattern of inheritance and function of variation at the transferrin locus of deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus (Hoy et Kennicott, 1857), were assessed in several studies. Despite substantial evidence of such function in other species, consequences of variation at this locus in deer mice were minimal. There was an underrepresentation of animals homozygous for the fast-migrating allele in both homozygote-heterozygote and double heterozygote crosses. There were no significant differences attributable to genotype in breeding performance. With respect to copulatory behavior, there was some evidence of a simall difference attributable to male genotype and several differences related to female genotype. There was no effect on representation in litters resulting from tests in a situation of sperm competition. However, effects of a variety of experimental treatments were consistent with previous results. The transferrin locus of deer mice appears to be useful as a marker gene in studies relating to reproduction and reproductive competition.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Studies of the effects of variation at the transferrin locus on reproductive processes in deer mice

Dewsbury¹

1985

Acta Theriol.

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“…Four hypotheses have been suggested for the adaptive value of such behavior (Dewsbury 1981): (1) excess stimulation is required for ejaculation; (2) a series of short copulatory bouts, leading to ejaculation, minimize predation risks; (3) intromission and thrusting remove copulatory plugs and sperm; (4) stimulation is required for, or accelerates, pregnancy initiation. The pattern of inter-copulatory mounts in zebra allows us to examine the validity of several of these hypotheses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm competition and variation in zebra mating behavior

Ginsberg

Rubenstein

1990

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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Data are presented on the breeding behavior of two zebra species to test whether intra-and interspecific variation in male reproductive behavior and physiology are correlated with differences in female promiscuity. In one species, plains zebra (Equus burchel-I/) females live in closed membership single male groups and mate monandrously. In the other species, the Grevy's zebra (E. grevyi) females live in groups whose membership is much more temporary. Typically, associations with individual males are brief and mating is polyandrous. However, some females -those having just given birth -reside with one male for long periods, mating monandrously. These differences in female mating behavior generate variability in the potential for sperm competition. We show that behavioral differences in male investment in reproductive activities correlate with the potential for sperm competition. When mating with promiscuous mares, Grevy's zebra stallions made a greater investment in reproductive behavior (calling, mounting, ejaculations) than did stallions of either species when mating with monandrous females. The evolution of large testes size in the Grevy's zebra, when compared to the congeneric plains zebra, horse, and moun: tain zebra, allows for this increased investment.

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“…The reason why male mammals ejaculate repeatedly with the same female is also uncertain, although several authors have suggested that multiple ejaculations may be adaptive under conditions of sperm competition (Lanier et al. , 1979; Dewsbury & Hartung, 1980; Dewsbury, 1981; Parker, 1984; Ginsberg & Rubenstein, 1990; Dixson, 1995; Rice, 1998). Theoretical analyses indicate that spreading delivery of multiple ejaculates across a female's oestrus period could be beneficial if the timing of ovulation is unpredictable, and a large proportion of the sperm in each ejaculate die or are lost during the oestrus period (Parker, 1984).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm competition and diversity in rodent copulatory behaviour

Stockley

Preston

2004

Journal of Evolutionary Biology

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The copulatory behaviour of male mammals is characterized by striking diversity in patterns of copulatory stimulation and ejaculation frequency. We conducted comparative analyses of rodents to investigate the potential influence of sperm competition in the evolution of copulatory behaviour. We found that increasing sperm competition is associated with faster rates of stimulation and earlier ejaculation among species in which males perform multiple intromissions prior to ejaculation, but with no overall change in the number of intromissions per ejaculation. Increasing sperm competition is also associated with a higher frequency of repeated ejaculations with the same female, and with shorter refractory periods between repeated copulations. Increasing sperm competition level thus appears to select for male ability to ejaculate more rapidly and more frequently with each female mated. As prolonged copulations are known to reduce female remating rates, these findings indicate that males may experience opposing selection pressures on copulatory behaviour with respect to offensive and defensive aspects of sperm competition. We conclude that sperm competition is likely to be an important selection pressure explaining diversity in mammalian copulatory behaviour.

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On the function of the multiple-intromission, multiple-ejaculation copulatory patterns of rodents

Cited by 41 publications

References 24 publications

Studies of the effects of variation at the transferrin locus on reproductive processes in deer mice

Studies of the effects of variation at the transferrin locus on reproductive processes in deer mice

Sperm competition and variation in zebra mating behavior

Sperm competition and diversity in rodent copulatory behaviour

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