Pick on someone your own size: ontogenetic shifts in mate choice by male garter snakes result in size-assortative mating

Shine, Richard; O’Connor, D. J.; LeMaster, Michael P.; Mason, Robert T.

doi:10.1006/anbe.2001.1712

Cited by 102 publications

(90 citation statements)

References 39 publications

(56 reference statements)

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“…Studies of recent introductions of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) indicate that reproductive isolation and genetic differentiation can occur after fewer than 13 generations (Hendry et al 2000). Our results indicate that fibre number was under divergent selection in the Bleke population, possibly involving assortative mating mechanisms (Shine et al 2001) and their reinforcement through hybrid inferiority (Butlin 1995).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Loss of muscle fibres in a landlocked dwarf Atlantic salmon population

2005

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Growth of fast myotomal muscle in teleosts involves the continuous production of muscle fibres until some genetically pre-determined length. The dwarf landlocked (Bleke) population of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) from Byglands-fjord, Southern Norway mature at about 25 cm fork length and reach a maximum size of only 30 cm in the wild. The maximum diameter (D max ) of fast muscle fibres in 4-year-old Bleke salmon (25-28 cm fork length) was 118 mm and not significantly different from that found in immature migratory salmon of a similar size. In contrast no evidence for active fibre recruitment was found in the Bleke salmon, such that the maximum fibre number, FN max , was only 21-30% of that reported in typical farmed and wild migratory populations, respectively. We hypothesise that, once established, the physiological consequences of the dwarf condition led to rapid selection for reduced fibre number, possibly to reduce the maintenance costs associated with ionic homeostasis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Loss of muscle fibres in a landlocked dwarf Atlantic salmon population

2005

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“…This prediction remains untested. In garter snakes (Thamnophis), limits on a male's ability to produce gelatinous mating plugs may constrain the total number of copulations per male per season and hence, select for male mate choice (Shine et al 2001a). …”

Section: (B) Total Energy Allocation To Reproductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Small males may avoid battles with larger males, but instead wait nearby and court the female after their larger rival has departed . Ontogenetic shifts in the pheromonal cues that stimulate courtship in garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) mean that much of the courtship by smaller males is directed towards females too small to attract attention from larger males (Shine et al 2001a). Although originally described as an alternative mating tactic based on confusing other males within a 'mating ball' (Mason & Crews 1985), female mimicry in the same species seems more likely to reflect advantages unrelated to mating.…”

Section: (D ) Number Of Matingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive strategies in snakes

Shine

2003

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

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269

199

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Snakes of both sexes display remarkable flexibility and diversity in their reproductive tactics. Many features of reproduction in female snakes (such as reproductive mode and frequency, seasonality and multiple mating) allow flexible maternal control. For example, females can manipulate not only the genotypes of their offspring (through mate choice or enhanced sperm competition) but also the phenotypes of their offspring (through allocation 'decisions', behavioural and physiological thermoregulation, and nest-site selection). Reliance on stored energy ('capital') to fuel breeding results in low frequencies of female reproduction and, in extreme cases, semelparity. A sophisticated vomeronasal system not only allows male snakes to locate reproductive females by following scent trails, but also facilitates pheromonally mediated mate choice by males. Male-male rivalry takes diverse forms, including female mimicry and mate guarding; combat bouts impose strong selection for large body size in males of some species. Intraspecific (geographical) variation and phenotypic plasticity in a wide array of reproductive traits (offspring size and number; reproductive frequency; incidence of multiple mating; male tactics such as mate guarding and combat; mate choice criteria) provide exceptional opportunities for future studies.

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“…Studies on snakes have lagged well behind those on lizards in this respect, but recent research on one species (the garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis) has revealed exible reproductive tactics. For example, males shift between alternative tactics based on their body size (size-assortative courtship: Shine et al, 2001b), their ability to compete with other males (female mimicry: Shine et al, 2000aShine et al, , 2001c, and the numbers and body sizes of rival males (participation in courtship: Shine et al, 2000b). Male mate choice is in uenced also by attributes of the female, with large and heavy-bodied females attracting more courtship than small, thin conspeci cs (Aleksiuk & Gregory, 1974;Hawley & Aleksiuk, 1976;Gartska et al, 1982;Shine et al, 2001b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Opportunistic Serpent: Male Garter Snakes Adjust Courtship Tactics to Mating Opportunities

Shine

Langkilde²,

Mason

2003

Behav

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SummaryReproductive males encounter potential mates under a range of circumstances that in uence the costs, bene ts or feasibility of alternative courtship tactics. Thus, males may be under strong selection to exibly modify their behaviour. Red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) in Manitoba overwinter in communal dens, and court and mate in large aggregations in early spring. The number of males within a courting group varies considerably, as do the body sizes of both males and females. We manipulated these factors to set up replicated courtship groups in outdoor arenas, and analysed videotapes of 82 courtship trials to quantify courting behaviours of male snakes. Larger and more heavy-bodied males courted more vigorously than did their smaller, thinner-bodied rivals, and large females attracted more intense courtship. The major effect, however, involved the number of rival males competing for copulation. Males in large groups not only reduced their overall vigour of courtship, but also modi ed their tactics in such a way as to bene t from the courtship activities of rival males. That is, they devoted less energy to inducing female receptivity (which requires energy-expensive caudocephalic waving) and more effort to behaviour (tail-searching)that enhanced their own 2) Corresponding author's e-mail address: rics@bio.usyd.edu. probability of mating if the female gaped her cloaca. This social parasitism reveals an unsuspected plasticity and complexity in the behavioural tactics of reproducing male snakes.

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Pick on someone your own size: ontogenetic shifts in mate choice by male garter snakes result in size-assortative mating

Cited by 102 publications

References 39 publications

Loss of muscle fibres in a landlocked dwarf Atlantic salmon population

Loss of muscle fibres in a landlocked dwarf Atlantic salmon population

Reproductive strategies in snakes

The Opportunistic Serpent: Male Garter Snakes Adjust Courtship Tactics to Mating Opportunities

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