Male-caused failure of female reproduction and its adaptive value in alpine marmots (Marmota marmota)

We studied reproductive performance of free-living alpine marmots (Marmotamarmota) for 14 years in the National Park of Berchtesgaden, Germany.Female reproduction was influenced by body condition and social factors.Reproduction depleted fat reserves, and only females emergingfrom hibernation with sufficient body mass were able to reproducesuccessfully. Marmots lived in social groups in territoriesdefended by a dominant male and female. Subordinate femalesnever reproduced, regardless of body mass. Territory takeoversby males impaired reproduction of dominant females, but onlyif the takeover occurred after the mating period. Reproductivefailures occurred despite clear signs of pregnancy such enlargednipples or late molt. Decreasing progesterone levels after themating period and the lack of evidence for direct infanticideby new territorial males suggest a block of pregnancy as a likelyexplanation for reproductive failures in groups with male takeoversduring gestation. Rendering female reproduction impossible increasedfuture reproductive success of new territory owners. Nonparous femalessaved the energetic cost of maternal investment and thus emergedwith higher body mass in the following spring. In line withthis, females failing to wean young had higher reproductivesuccess in the subsequent year.