Mating frequency mediates personality expression in facultatively polyandrous mites

Animal personalities are characterized by within-individual consistency linked to among-individual variability. Personality expression is often dependent on major life history events such as mating and the onset of reproduction. Here, we hypothesized that in facultatively polyandrous animals, multiple mating increases the females' assets (i.e., residual reproductive value - RRV), due to direct and/or indirect benefits. Based on the predictions of the asset protection principle, higher RRV should promote behaviors that reduce the risk of fitness loss and hence mediate behavioral repeatability displayed in groups.

We tested our hypothesis in group-living predatory mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis. Predatory mite females were presented with one or two mates, and their postmating repeatability in activity and sociability was evaluated in groups composed of females of the same and mixed mating types.

Mating frequency had little effect on activity patterns but pronounced effects on sociability traits. Polyandrous females were on average more sociable as well as more repeatable in sociability than monandrous females. These behavioral shifts reflect strategies to mitigate inter-individual conflicts within groups to enhance asset protection.

Our study suggests that the mating frequency can critically influence female personality expression after mating and highlights the importance of considering mate-related variables in animal personality research.