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Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
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Sexual antagonism for testosterone maintains multiple mating behaviour.

Mikael Mokkonen1, Esa Koskela, Tapio Mappes

  • 1Centre of Excellence in Evolutionary Research, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, P.O. Box 35, 40014 University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland. mikael.mokkonen@jyu.fi

The Journal of Animal Ecology
|September 29, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Sexually antagonistic selection on testosterone influences mating behavior in bank voles. Divergent interests maintain multiple mating systems, impacting reproductive success for both sexes.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Multiple mating is fundamental in evolutionary biology, potentially enhancing female fitness.
  • Intra-locus sexual conflicts, driven by sexually antagonistic selection, can limit these benefits.
  • Testosterone, a sexually dimorphic hormone, influences mating behavior and fitness in mammals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if sexually antagonistic selection maintains variation in multiple mating behavior.
  • To test the role of testosterone in mediating these sexual conflicts in bank voles (Myodes glareolus).

Main Methods:

  • Artificial selection was used to manipulate testosterone levels in bank voles over generations.
  • Mating trials involved sequentially pairing females with males exhibiting different testosterone profiles.
  • Reproductive success and mating rates were analyzed in relation to testosterone levels.

Main Results:

  • Artificial selection for high testosterone increased male mating rates but decreased female partner numbers, and vice versa.
  • Multiple mating benefited reproductive success in both sexes, indicated by positive Bateman gradients.
  • Divergent evolutionary interests in testosterone between sexes were identified as a driver of polygynandry.

Conclusions:

  • Testosterone is under sexually antagonistic selection, influencing mating rates concordantly selected in both sexes.
  • This hormonal conflict helps maintain the observed variation in multiple mating strategies.
  • The endocrine system plays a crucial role in the evolution of mammalian mating strategies.