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Published on: August 22, 2013
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Comparing pre- and post-copulatory mate competition using social network analysis in wild crickets.
David N Fisher1, Rolando Rodríguez-Muñoz1, Tom Tregenza1
1Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Penryn Campus, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR109FE , UK.
Summary
Male field crickets show limited success in avoiding post-copulatory competition through pre-copulatory efforts. Promiscuous mating among similar individuals reduces reproductive success variance, highlighting trade-offs in sexual selection.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Sexual selection arises from variations in mating success across pre- and post-copulatory stages.
- Understanding the interplay between pre- and post-copulatory competition is crucial for evolutionary insights.
- Quantifying these competitive dynamics in natural settings remains challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of pre-copulatory competition in mitigating post-copulatory competition in wild field crickets.
- To explore the potential for divergent mating strategies among males.
- To assess if increased post-copulatory competition impacts the reproductive benefits of male promiscuity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized video cameras for direct observation of male field cricket competition and mating behaviors in the wild.
- Modeled pre- and post-copulatory competition as distinct social networks.
- Applied social network analysis to quantify competitive interactions and mating success.
Main Results:
- Pre-copulatory competition offered limited effectiveness in preventing subsequent post-copulatory competition.
- Male field crickets did not exclusively specialize in either pre- or post-copulatory competitive strategies.
- Promiscuous males preferentially mated with other promiscuous individuals, reducing reproductive success variance and indicating a mate-guarding trade-off.
Conclusions:
- Sexual competition in wild field crickets involves complex, non-exclusive strategies with limited pre-copulatory advantage.
- The tendency for promiscuous individuals to associate highlights a trade-off in mate guarding and influences population-level reproductive success.
- Social network analysis proves a valuable tool for studying competitive interactions, even in species without complex social structures.
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