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Mate choice on leks
1Large Animal Research Group, Dept of Zoology, 34a Storeys Way, Cambridge CB3 ODT, UK.
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|January 15, 2011
Summary
Female animals choose mates at leks, arenas where males display. Most males get few matings, but some are highly successful. The benefits of female mate choice in these systems remain unclear.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Lek-breeding systems involve males defending small territories in display arenas.
- Females visit leks to mate, typically resulting in a skewed distribution of copulations, with a few males achieving most matings.
- Previous research indicates female choice drives this mating skew, but the adaptive benefits for females are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential benefits of mate choice for females in lekking species.
- To explore the criteria females use when selecting mates on leks.
- To understand the evolutionary significance of female mate selection in systems lacking direct male provisioning.
Main Methods:
- Observational studies of lekking animal behavior.
- Analysis of mating patterns and success rates of individual males.
- Assessment of female visitation rates and copulation choices.
Main Results:
- A small proportion of males on the lek achieve a disproportionately high number of copulations.
- Evidence suggests females actively select specific males, rather than random mating occurring.
- The precise advantages conferred to females through this selective mating remain to be fully elucidated.
Conclusions:
- Female mate choice is a significant factor influencing mating success in lekking species.
- Understanding the benefits of mate choice is crucial for explaining the evolution of lek mating systems.
- Further research is needed to identify the specific advantages females gain from selecting particular males.
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