Sex–biased predation by polecats influences the mating system of frogs

In agile frogs, Rana dalmatina, an increase in male-biased operational sex ratio and in male abundance results in the emergence of alternative male mating behaviour in the form of searching. As a consequence, females are coerced into mating with multiple males, which in turn increases the level of c...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Biological sciences, 2004-12, Vol.271 (Suppl 6), p.S399-S401
Main Authors: Lodé, Thierry, Marie-Jeanne Holveck, David Lesbarrères, Pagano, Alain
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Breeding
Conflict (Psychology)
Electrophoresis, Starch Gel
Evolutionary genetics
Female
Female animals
Ferrets - genetics
Ferrets - physiology
France
Frogs
Isoenzymes
Male
Male animals
Mating behavior
Mating systems
Mustela putorius
Polecat
Polyandry
Ponds
Predation
Predatory Behavior - physiology
Rana dalmatina
Ranidae - physiology
Sex Ratio
Sexual Behavior, Animal - physiology
Sexual Conflict
Telemetry
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In agile frogs, Rana dalmatina, an increase in male-biased operational sex ratio and in male abundance results in the emergence of alternative male mating behaviour in the form of searching. As a consequence, females are coerced into mating with multiple males, which in turn increases the level of conflict between the sexes. Selective predation on males by the European polecat, Mustela putorius, decreases the occurrence of polyandry. In ponds visited by polecats, the sex ratio is less male biased than in ponds where polecats are absent. As a result most males call to attract females and fewer males actively search for females. Females are able to choose between calling males and mate with a single male. Thus, predation by polecats is found to influence sex ratio, male abundance and sexual conflict in a frog mating system, restricting the opportunity for multiple mating.
ISSN:0962-8452
1471-2954
DOI:10.1098/rsbl.2004.0195