"Failure to launch": is there a reproductive cost to males living at home?

    Authors

    M. B. Manjerovic;J. M. Waterman

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Mammal.

    Keywords

    alternative reproductive tactics; Cape ground squirrels; reproductive; success; sperm competition; Xerus inauris; CAPE GROUND-SQUIRRELS; MOUSE RHABDOMYS-PUMILIO; XERUS-INAURIS; SEXUAL; SELECTION; SPERM COMPETITION; SOCIAL-STATUS; MALE MAMMALS; TACTICS; EVOLUTION; PATERNITY; Zoology

    Abstract

    Differential reproductive success commonly reflects variations in reproductive physiology, behavior, and morphology. In some species, competition among males results in the evolution of alternative reproductive tactics that confer a fitness advantage relating to social status, density, or myriad other factors. In the Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris), a species that is highly competitive but lacks typical mammalian aspects of intrasexual competition (e.g., territoriality and aggression), 2 alternative reproductive tactics occur relating to dispersal. While physiological and behavioral differences have been demonstrated between dispersed males and males that delay dispersal, we used microsatellite markers to quantify variations in reproductive success between tactics. We found that dispersed males are in better body condition with larger home ranges likely allowing greater encounter frequencies with estrous females. However, we found no difference in copulation frequency between tactics, and the decision to delay dispersal does not preclude reproduction. Over 70% of males did not sire any offspring, yet the average number of offspring sired was equal between tactics. Thus, all males are equally likely of copulating, but paternity is strongly skewed toward a few males regardless of tactic. Natal philopatry may be a condition-dependent tactic that does not reduce reproductive success.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Mammalogy

    Volume

    96

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-2015

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    144

    Last Page

    150

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000353334300018

    ISSN

    0022-2372

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