| Abstract: | The effect of dominance on the mating behaviour of both females and males was investigated for the communally breeding pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus). Pukeko are polygynandrous with most groups consisting of three to 7 breeding males and one or two breeding females that lay eggs in a single nest. Linear dominance hierarchies are well established within breeding groups. Alpha females were involved in more copulations than beta females, but this difference did not appear to be a result of dominance status. There was also no evidence of egg tossing or egg destruction by breeding females. There was no positive correspondence between dominance rank of males and their frequency of sexual activity or copulations during the prelaying or laying periods. Dominants did interrupt matings by subordinates, but both qualitative and quantitative analyses of behaviour found no evidence of mate guarding. Furthermore dominants were no more likely to interrupt a copulation involving a subordinate male than they were to passively observe it or not react at all. This led us to suggest that males tended to behave indifferently toward mating competitors. As a result, multiple paternity is predicted to be high in pukeko groups. We also question the standard interpretation that males are behaving cooperatively in communal groups rather than coactively. |
