State-dependent male mating tactics in the grey seal: the importance of body size |
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Authors: | Lidgard, Damian C. Boness, Daryl J. Bowen, W. Don McMillan, Jim I. |
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Affiliation: | a Conservation and Research Center, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008-2598, USA, b Laboratoire de Biologie et Environnement Marins, Université de La Rochelle, La Rochelle 17000, France, c Marine Fish Division, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4A2, Canada |
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Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to examine the importance of bodysize and body composition as determinants of conditional matingtactics exhibited in male grey seals. We combined behavioralobservations with measures of energy expenditure and successon 42 known-age individuals during the breeding seasons of 19972001at Sable Island, Canada. Males with a large body mass arrivedat the breeding grounds with more body fat and body energy andcatabolized less body protein than smaller males. Males consumed1.9 ± 0.2 MJ day1, and those with a smaller percentageof body fat had higher rates of food energy intake. The amountof body energy on arrival was positively correlated with theduration of the breeding period. Males that exhibited the primarymating tactic of consortship were heavier, had absolutely morebody fat and body energy, and sustained breeding longer thanthose males that did not exhibit the primary tactic. Amongstall males, body mass showed a quadratic relationship with thenumber of female consorts mated and the estimated number ofpups sired. Thus, intermediate-sized males mated with the mostconsorts and achieved the highest success. Intermediate bodysize may be optimal during breeding due to greater agility inmale combat. Body size was an important determinant of matingtactics used by male grey seals. A large body size providedan energetic advantage of greater endurance while an intermediatebody size may provide greater competitive ability in acquiringconsortships. |
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Keywords: | body size conditional mating tactics endurance rivalry energetics Halichoerus grypus pinnipeds reproductive behavior. |
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