Mating tactics of male feral goats (Capra hircus): risks and benefits |
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Authors: | Fiona C Saunders Alan G McElligott Kamran Safi Thomas J Hayden |
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Institution: | 1. Mammal Research Group, Department of Zoology, National University of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland 2. Zoologisches Institut, Universit?t Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland 3. Verhaltensbiologie, Zoologisches Institut, Universit?t Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
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Abstract: | Intense competition between males for reproduction has led to the evolution of alternative mating tactics (AMTs). Feral goat
males usually use a tactic called tending, in which they defend oestrous females from other males. Males may also use a second
mating tactic called coursing, in which they gain access to oestrous females by disturbing a tending pair. Herein, we examine
estimated mating success (EMS) and risks of using these tactics. Tending was only used by mature (≥4 years old), higher-ranking
males and accounted for 75% of EMS. Coursing was used by males of all ages and dominance ranks, and accounted for 25% of EMS.
Using coursing, male kids achieved 8% of EMS. Mature males achieved 92% of EMS. Both age and dominance rank were related to
EMS, but age was not important after its relationship with dominance was controlled. Tending bouts were, on average, ca. 30 min
long, while coursing bouts only averaged ca. 2 min. Males were more likely to suffer a butt while coursing than while tending,
and formerly tending males were responsible for most butts. Kids that coursed had the highest risk of being butted. In most
AMTs, there are reductions in the risks in relation to low fitness benefits. However, we found that the risks of butts during
coursing were high, while our evidence suggests that the EMS was probably low. Nevertheless, the existence of an effective
AMT in male feral goats may have an important influence on the intensity of sexual selection and the effective population
size. |
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Keywords: | Coursing Dominance Mating strategy Mating success Tending |
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