Mating tactics of male feral goats (Capra hircus): risks and benefits

Abstract

Intense competition between males for reproduction has led to the evolution of alternative mating tactics (AMTs). Feral goat males usually use a tactic called tending, in which they defend oestrous females from other males. Males may also use a second mating tactic called coursing, in which they gain access to oestrous females by disturbing a tending pair. Herein, we examine estimated mating success (EMS) and risks of using these tactics. Tending was only used by mature (≥4 years old), higherranking males and accounted for 75% of EMS. Coursing was used by males of all ages and dominance ranks, and accounted for 25% of EMS. Using coursing, male kids achieved 8% of EMS. Mature males achieved 92% of EMS. Both age and dominance rank were related to EMS, but age was not important after its relationship with dominance was controlled. Tending bouts were, on average, ca. 30 min long, while coursing bouts only averaged ca. 2 min. Males were more likely to suffer a butt while coursing than while tending, and formerly tending males were responsible for most butts. Kids that coursed had the highest risk of being butted. In most AMTs, there are reductions in the risks in relation to low fitness benefits. However, we found that the risks of butts during coursing were high, while our evidence suggests that the EMS was probably low. Nevertheless, the existence of an effective AMT in male feral goats may have an important influence on the intensity of sexual selection and the effective population size.

Low Frequency Groans Indicate Larger and More Dominant Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Males

“…This result confirms that in fallow deer, as in several other ungulates, reaching a high ranking position is important for males to gain matings [53], [54], [55].…”

Female aggression in red deer: Does it indicate competition for mates?

“…For example, if males and females have similar parental roles, if the operational sex ratio is female biased, or if male quality varies so that high-quality males are rare (Berglund et al 1993). In polygynous ungulates, females may actively and passively select for potential males on the basis of food resources, safety from predators, avoidance of harassment, or male phenotype (Clutton-Brock 1989;Saunders et al 2005). In pronghorns (Antilocapra americana), females employ mate-sampling tactics by visiting different males before eventually mating with one (Byers 1997;Byers et al 2005).…”

Mate availability and intruder pressure as determinants of territory size in male bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus)

“…On the other hand, the results of this study do not exclude the idea that herding or coursing behaviour by territory owners play a role in this mating system but rather point to a combination of spatial territory defence (Wronski 2005;Wronski et al 2006a; this study) and the intention to keep females in their own territory by coursing them (Wronski et al 2006a) to prevent mating success of males applying alternative mating strategies (Saunders et al 2005).…”