Male Mate Choice in Lemur catta

Abstract

Though females are generally more selective in mate choice, males may also derive reproductive benefits from exercising mate selectivity if one or more factors limit male reproductive success and females differ in reproductive potential. I used male mating effort as a proxy for male mate choice in ringtailed lemurs (Lemur catta). I calculated mating effort as the rate of malemale agonism during each female's estrous period 30 min before and 30 min after the first and last mountings with intromission. I collected data on 1 free-ranging Lemur catta troop during 2 consecutive breeding seasons on St. Catherines Island, USA. In both yrs, male mating effort differed significantly among troop females once I adjusted male-male agonistic rates to reflect agonistic intensity, and I corrected for the number of observed mates per female (2000: χ 2 = 27.43, df = 3, p < 0.0001; 2001: χ 2 = 21.10, df = 3, p < 0.001). Results strongly suggest male mate choice. Contrary to expectation, males did not expend the greatest mating effort for females with the highest dominance status nor the highest reproductive success. Males preferred females that either: (1) belonged to the age class in which fecundity and infant survival is the highest at this site (4-9 yrs), or 2) were older females (≥10 yrs) with high reproductive success. Female reproductive potential appears to be an important variable determining male mating effort in Lemur catta.

Evaluation of Male Inter-Troop Transfer as a Mating Strategy among Ring-Tailed Lemurs on St. Catherines Island, USA

“…SCI affords the opportunity to follow radio-collared individuals in a closed population in which lemurs are allowed to transfer between groups unimpeded by human intervention. Previous work has shown that L. catta on SCI exhibit species-typical social and reproductive behaviors [KeithLucas et al, 1999;Parga, 2003Parga, , 2006aParga and Lessnau, 2008]. SCI is approximately 16 km long and 3 km wide, and the L. catta groups at this location inhabit the north end of the island [Keith-Lucas et al, 1999].…”

“…The focal sampling order was randomized, with no more than 2 samples collected per individual per day to yield equal numbers of focal samples collected per individual per group in each year. During focal samples, the following agonistic behaviors were recorded to establish male dominance rankings: approach-withdraw, bite, chase, cuff, fight, grapple, lunge, nose push, push, stink fight, and take food [Jolly, 1966;Petter and Charles-Dominique, 1979;Taylor, 1986;Gould, 1994;Pereira and Kappeler, 1997;Parga, 2006a]. Ad libitum data were collected at all times.…”

Male-Specific Use of the Purr in the Ring-Tailed Lemur <b><i>(Lemur catta)</i></b>

“…Although this vocalization is used by ring-tailed lemurs of both sexes and all ages [Jolly, 1966;Macedonia, 1990Macedonia, , 1993, my study will concentrate on adult male use of purring, since anecdotal reports [Jolly, 1966] as well as my preliminary data collection on adult females provide evidence for male purring only in agonistic contexts. Additionally, a strong precedent exists for male-focused behavioural studies to be undertaken in this species [Gould, 1994[Gould, , 1997[Gould, , 2006Gould and Overdorff, 2002;Gould et al, 2003Gould et al, , 2005Parga, 2006a;Gould and Ziegler, 2007], and my study will add to this rich literature on male behaviours.…”

“…cuff, bite or jump fight). An agonistic interaction involves 1 or more acts of avoidance, aggression or defence between 2 individuals [Gould, 1994;Pereira and Kappeler, 1997;Parga 2006aParga , 2009. Times with male-male agonism were defined as 2.5-min one-zero sampling intervals that contained at least 1 instance of intrasexual agonism involving the focal male, while times without male-male agonism meant a 2.5-min sampling interval that did not contain any instances of male-male agonism involving the focal male.…”

Dominance rank reversals and rank instability among male Lemur catta: The effects of female behavior and ejaculation

“…Indeed, dominance relationships can remain stable during mating contexts, as in the tufted capuchin monkey (Cebus apella), where copulating alpha males are not interrupted by subordinate males (Janson, 1984;Lynch Alfaro, 2005). However, established male dominance relationships do not always remain stable throughout periods of female sexual receptivity in other primates.In the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), females only mate during their periovulatory period (also known as vaginal estrus: Evans and Goy, 1968;Van Horn and Resko, 1977), which usually lasts for less than a day (Jolly, 1966;Evans and Goy, 1968;Van Horn and Resko, 1977;Koyama, 1988;Sauther, 1991;Parga, 2006a). In this species, males do not form coalitions (e.g., chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes: Watts, 1998) with other males when competing over access to females; instead, malemale aggression occurs between dyads (Jolly, 1966;Koyama, 1988;Sauther, 1991).…”