Mate guarding and copulation behaviour in monogamous and polygynous blue tits: do males follow a best-of-a-bad-job strategy?

1995 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart Kempenaers ◽  
G. R. Verheyen ◽  
André A. Dhondt
Keyword(s):  
Mate Guarding ◽  
Copulation Behaviour ◽  
Blue Tits

The Frequency and Timing of Courtship and Copulation in Blackbirds, Turdus Merula, Reflect Sperm Competition and Sexual Conflict

Behaviour ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 141 (4) ◽  
pp. 501-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konrad Halupka ◽  
Dariusz Wysocki
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Competition ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Sexual Coercion ◽  
Mate Guarding ◽  
Joint Production ◽  
Copulation Rate ◽  
Time And Energy ◽  
Copulation Behaviour

AbstractIn a long-term field study we estimated the number of copulations per pair in blackbirds at 24.2 in a single reproductive cycle. Thus it seems unlikely that the only function of copulation behaviour is just to guarantee fertilization. We considered three other hypotheses which might explain frequent pair copulation: (1) as an effect of sperm competition, (2) cooperation between pair members aiming at increasing joint production of offspring; or, (3) sexual conflict resulting in female manipulation of allocation of time and energy of the male. We found no positive correlation between the copulation frequency and reproductive performance, a result that essentially falsifies the cooperation hypothesis. Only two extra-pair copulations were recorded. However, attempts at forced extra-pair copulation were very common and a high pair copulation rate might have evolved in response to sperm competition. Alternately, relatively high copulation rate in the pre-fertile stage of the reproductive cycle and female control over timing and frequency of copulation (via solicitation of copulation and/or rejection of courtship by the male) also supports the sexual conflict scenario. We suggest that our findings support the idea that the female prolongs the period of sexual activity to induce her partner to guard her (which reduces sexual coercion from other males) and to monopolise his parental effort (the male while mate guarding cannot pursue extra-pair activity or search for better mating options).

Seasonal changes in a ultraviolet structural colour signal in blue tits, Parus caeruleus

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
JONAS ORNBORG ◽  
STAFFAN ANDERSSON ◽  
SIMON C. GRIFFITH ◽  
BEN C. SHELDON
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Parus Caeruleus ◽  
Structural Colour ◽  
Blue Tits ◽  
Colour Signal

Intersexual and Intrasexual Competition and Their Relation to Jealousy

2019 ◽  
pp. 214-236
Author(s):  
Abraham P. Buunk ◽  
Karlijn Massar ◽  
Pieternel Dijkstra ◽  
Ana María Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Mate Guarding ◽  
Intrasexual Competition ◽  
Online Infidelity ◽  
Intersexual Competition

This chapter discusses sex differences in intersexual competition and describes particularly the consequences of such competition for conflict between the sexes, as well as for sex differences in mate guarding and, relatedly, in the types of infidelity that evoke jealousy, including online infidelity. It also discusses individual differences in jealousy as related to attachment styles and describes the effects of height, hormones, and the menstrual cycle on jealousy. Next, the chapter moves on to intrasexual competition and discusses, among other topics, intrasexual competition among men and among women, the role of sex differences in rival characteristics in evoking jealousy, the role of attachment styles and hormones, and individual differences in intrasexual competitiveness.

scholarly journals Personality in Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) and its Effect on Their Breeding Success

Ethology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 122 (8) ◽  
pp. 695-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Colchester ◽  
Nancy M. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Success ◽  
Cyanistes Caeruleus ◽  
Blue Tits

Effects of Natural Variation in Sex Ratio and Habitat Structure On Mate-Guarding Decisions in Amphipods (Crustacea)

Behaviour ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 133 (13-14) ◽  
pp. 985-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaimie T.A. Dick ◽  
Robert W. Elwood
Keyword(s):  
Natural Populations ◽  
Mate Guarding ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Male Competition ◽  
Female Body Size ◽  
The Social ◽  
Size Assortment ◽  
Assortative Pairing ◽  
Study Species

AbstractWe employed field-based studies, with complementary laboratory-based studies, to investigate social and environmental influences on tactical mate-guarding decisions in amphipods (Crustacea). Firstly, we investigated variation in precopulatory mate-guarding duration in Cammarus duebeni celticus in relation to the social structure of natural populations. Variation in population density of up to two orders of magnitude had no effect on precopula duration, whereas guarding durations increased as the sex ratios of the populations became more male biased. That is, males have some ability to assess the probability of other males taking females into precopula and are prepared to guard for longer as this threat of male: male competition increases. A field demonstration of tactical shifts in reproductive behaviour in response to pertinent social conditions is thus provided. Secondly, the 'habitat segregation' hypothesis, which proposes that positive size-assortative pairing in amphipod populations arises due to variation in the use of micro-habitats, was tested in natural field populations and under laboratory conditions in Echinogammarus marinus. This was necessary in order to distinguish any purely environmental determinants of size-assortment from the role of active decisions by males concerning mate choice and male: male competition. The hypothesis was rejected on the grounds that size-assortative pairing arises under both heterogeneous and homogeneous environmental conditions. Further, in both study species, male and female body size were positively correlated with precopula duration. Thus, indirect competition for access to large, fecund females, based on the timing of male entry into precopula, together with direct aggression, provides the explanation for size-assortative pairing in amphipods.

scholarly journals Effect of tree logging on reproductive performance in Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus)

2016 ◽  
Vol 158 (1) ◽  
pp. 339-344
Author(s):  
Seyed Mehdi Amininasab ◽  
Charles C. Y. Xu ◽  
Sjouke A. Kingma ◽  
Jan Komdeur
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Cyanistes Caeruleus ◽  
Blue Tits
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