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Multiple paternity in reptiles: patterns and processes.

Tobias Uller1, Mats Olsson

  • 1Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK. tobias.uller@zoo.ox.ac.uk

Molecular Ecology
|May 3, 2008
PubMed
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Multiple paternity is common in reptiles, but direct female benefits are not evident. The study suggests mating conflicts and male benefits, not female advantages, drive this reproductive strategy.

Area of Science:

  • * Evolutionary biology
  • * Herpetology
  • * Reproductive strategies

Background:

  • * Female promiscuity and multiple mating present evolutionary puzzles, particularly regarding benefits to females.
  • * While common in birds, strong evidence for female benefits from multiple mating is scarce.
  • * Previous research has primarily focused on avian species, leaving gaps in understanding in other vertebrate groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To review and evaluate evidence for multiple paternity across major nonavian reptile groups.
  • * To assess the driving forces behind multiple paternity, including direct and indirect genetic benefits to females.
  • * To propose alternative explanations for observed patterns of multiple paternity in reptiles.

Main Methods:

  • * Comprehensive literature review of studies on multiple paternity in natural populations of nonavian reptiles.

Related Experiment Videos

  • * Analysis of documented levels of multiple paternity across diverse reptile species, including snakes, lizards, and marine turtles.
  • * Synthesis of existing data to evaluate theoretical explanations for multiple paternity.

    • Main Results:

    • * Multiple paternity is widespread in nonavian reptiles, found in all investigated species and exceeding 50% of clutches in many.
    • * Snakes and lizards exhibit particularly high levels of multiple paternity, while marine turtles and pair-bonding lizards show lower, yet still significant, rates.
    • * No evidence supports direct female benefits, and evidence for indirect genetic benefits driving multiple paternity is weak.

    Conclusions:

    • * The prevalence of multiple paternity in reptiles is best explained by high mate-encounter rates and mating conflicts favoring males, rather than significant female advantages.
    • * Current data suggest male benefits and relatively low female costs are the primary drivers, with weak selection from indirect genetic benefits.
    • * Future research should employ experimental approaches combining molecular techniques and behavioral observations to test theoretical predictions in natural settings.