Koprowski, J. L. 1993. Behavioral tactics, dominance, and copulatory success among male fox squirrels. Ethology Ecology & Evolution 5: 169-176.

thackerk1 — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 23:59:38 +0000

Authors

John L. Koprowski

The behavioral tactics and mating behavior of male fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) were studied in a small population of uniquely marked, free-ranging individuals during the winter breeding season in 1986 to 1990. Twelve mating bouts were observed with an average of 5.83 males. Two alternative male reproductive tactics were active pursuit and satellite. Active-pursuit males were the most dominant squirrels that fought for and defended proximity to the estrous female. Satellite males were subordinates that remained dispersed in the estrous female's home range but avoided interaction with active-pursuit males. Active pursuit accounted for more copulations than the satellite tactic (0.83 vs 0.23 copulations/male/bout) with the copulations distributed more evenly among active-pursuit males (CV = 133.7) than among satellite males (CV = 191.3). Satellite males copulated with a female after she avoided the contest competition among active-pursuit males. Although the tactics were dominance-based, dominance rank was not directly correlated with mating success. However, highranking, dominant males gained access to and mounted more females than lower ranking males. The alternative mating tactics of male fox squirrels may be important in mediating intermale mating success.

Additional Information

Behavioral tactics, dominance, and copulatory success among male fox squirrels

Date of publication:

1993

Topics

fox squirrel

behavioral tactics

mating behavior

satellite males

dominant males

Koprowski, J. L. 1993. Alternative reproductive tactics in male eastern gray squirrels: "making the best of a bad job". Behavioral Ecology 4(2): 165-171.

thackerk1 — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 23:56:46 +0000

Authors

John L. Koprowski

Male eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) congregate around and pursue a female on her single day of estrus. The tactics of uniquely marked adult males were monitored during winter mating bouts from 1986 to 1990 to examine variation in male copulatory success. Two tactics were chosen by males: active pursuit or satellite. Active-pursuit males were dominant and defended proximity to females. Satellite males were subordinate and remained dispersed in the female's home range. Active pursuit was used only by males ≤2.75 years old. The switch point between the tactics is about 3 years. Copulations were not distributed evenly among males, with about 30&percnt; of all adult males failing to copulate during a breeding season. Active pursuit was the most successful strategy, with male success attributed to the ability to defend access to the female. However, satellite males successfully copulated due to the escape of females from dominant males. Females appear to avoid the overt aggression characteristic of the competition among active-pursuit males by running from the group of males. Male success after a female's breakaway was evenly distributed between the two tactics and accounted for all copulations by satellite males. The active pursuit and satellite tactics appear to be a conditional evolutionarily stable strategy where young, subordinate males are “making the best of a bad job”.

Additional Information

Alternative reproductive tactics in male eastern gray squirrels: “making the best of a bad job”

Date of publication:

1993

Topics

eastern gray squirrel

copulation

reproductive tactics

satellite males

conservation.arizona.edu - satellite males

Koprowski, J. L. 1993. Behavioral tactics, dominance, and copulatory success among male fox squirrels. Ethology Ecology & Evolution 5: 169-176.

Authors

Additional Information

Topics

Koprowski, J. L. 1993. Alternative reproductive tactics in male eastern gray squirrels: "making the best of a bad job". Behavioral Ecology 4(2): 165-171.

Authors

Additional Information

Topics