Lek mating systems: a case study in the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax

Area of Science:

• Ethology
• Behavioral Ecology
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Leks are defined as male aggregations for mating, with females seeking mates and male genes.
• Identifying lekking species requires verifying criteria like no male parental investment and female mate choice.
• The endangered little bustard (Tetrax tetrax) is proposed to have an exploded lek mating system, but this requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mating system of the endangered little bustard (Tetrax tetrax).
• To assess if the little bustard population conforms to the extended definition of leks.
• To analyze male aggregation and resource availability within male territories.

Main Methods:

• Monitored a population of little bustards over two years in western France.
• Analyzed the spatial distribution and territory size of displaying males.
• Examined land use and potential resources within male territories.

Main Results:

• Displaying males aggregated in specific areas over the two-year survey period.
• Male territories were large and highly variable in size.
• Land use within territories primarily consisted of crops, suggesting resources met male needs rather than female reproductive needs.

Conclusions:

• The little bustard's mating system aligns with the general definition of leks, particularly in certain populations.
• The study highlights the difficulty in applying strict lek definitions to species with unclear boundaries between lekking and resource defense polygyny.
• The little bustard serves as a case study for the complexities of mating system classification in empirical situations.